Billy James Hawkains III (Detroit, MI) is a performer, choreographer, and professor at Kennesaw State University, where he teaches Choreography, Improvisation, Safety Release, and Dance Entrepreneurship for artists. He recently made history as the first African American male in over fifteen years to hold an MFA in Dance Choreography from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He also holds a BFA in Dance Performance from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. As a performer, Hawkains has danced works by Juel D. Lane, Veronica Silk, Julio Medina, Elizabeth “B.J.” Sullivan, Merce Cunningham, Paul Taylor, Doug Varone, and his lifelong mentor Duane Cyrus. As a choreographer, he collaborates with creatives to generate works informed by research into Black culture, faith, and imagery. He recently served as DanceATL’s first Community Engagement Coordinator and Atlanta Dance Connection’s Company Instructor. He proudly serves as Vincent Anthony Academy of Dance’s Modern Instructor. Each aspect of what Hawkains does – dancing, teaching, performing – is a means by which he activates healing and restores joy into the lives of others.