Today we’d like to introduce you to Lacretia Maraj Charlton.
Hi Lacretia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started dancing at the age of 4 in New York. I was raised in Woodside, Queens residing in the New York Public Housing Projects and when I was 5, I told my mom that I wanted to be a famous dancer, singer, and actress and own a dance studio in the basement of my Hollywood California Mansion. My mom put me in Charlotte Pollack Dance Studio in Woodside, Queens, NY and my love for dance flourished.
My love for hip-hop started when I came from dance class and saw guys dancing on cardboard in front of my apartment complex and could not resist getting down on the floor and as well as learning more about the elements of hip-hop and being part of a breakdancing crew. When I was 10 years old, I started teaching dance to my friends whose parents could not afford classes and promised myself that I would make sure that my classes were affordable.
I wanted to make sure that every child who wants to dance will always have an opportunity to dance when I have my dance studio. I used to compete in the streets when I was younger and was part of a breakdance crew named, “The Rock On Crew”. As time went on, the crew dismantled with hard times. I continued to dance and compete and joined dance in high school. I rapped, sang, wrote lyrics, and also modeled and went to acting school in the city. I attended The Borough of Manhattan Community College which had a program with Alvin Ailey.
I auditioned and got into the program when I was 18. When I was 20, I moved to Florida from New York as I feared for my life living in the projects which were full of gun violence and drug wars. The last straw for me was when a man put a long silver gun to my forehead and told me to run. I did not move to California because I was afraid of earthquakes in Hollywood, California as a result of watching the movie with my parents called, “Earthquake” in 1977. I continued dancing in Florida and became homeless and jobless in 1992 due to being displaced as a result of Hurricane Andrew.
I managed to get a gig dancing in a music video while staying with friends and their family as well as find employment. I then found an apartment with the choreographer of the music video. Eventually, I got back on my feet completely, got married, had a daughter, and finished my degree in Paralegal Studies. I became a single mom and worked my way up in a law firm to a lead legal assistant. While working at the law firm, I found gigs singing in bands, modeling, acting, starting a female group, and then working on my solo project. When my daughter was in elementary school, I started teaching her friends and Girls Scout troop and then branched out to dance studios, libraries, and anywhere else.
For two years, I found myself in a plaza staring through a window imagining how the vacant space would be decorated and where things would go if I opened my dance studio there. The security guard approached me one day and said that he had seen me every day at the same time looking in the window and asked when am I going to open my place. In 2009, I felt it was time to go full speed with my dream and opened Jus HipHop, Inc. while working as a full-time paralegal.
It was not easy, as I was turned down by all of the banks in the country for a loan and we were in a recession. One bank told me that I should open a fried chicken restaurant rather than a hip-hop dance studio. They said that no one would ever go to a hip-hop dance studio and I would be more successful in opening a fried chicken restaurant. Finally, there was a company that gave me a loan and one of the qualifications was to be turned down by 3 banks.
In 2013, I decided to make the big jump and left law to work solely on my passion for teaching the performing arts and motivating and inspiring others. I faced difficult challenges and prevailed and COVID hit. Because I felt my back was up against the wall, I went back to law and continued to keep the business open. I had to think outside the box and purchased large TVs, learned about Zoom and purchased their product, and conducted classes online.
For once year, we did not have an annual recital, and again, I had to think and come up with a master plan, instead of having my recital at a venue, I would create a stage inside my studio and turn the annual show into a movie on pay per view. Although the idea sounded foolproof, I managed to put it together with lots of tears and sweat. I applied for a grant and that is what pulled us through. I try to take each day as it comes for my health, sanity, and well-being and remain optimistic.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road. Trying to find the right people to work was and still is a challenge. With the challenges of the economy, I am forced to do all the administrative work. People do not want to work anymore and work ethic is a thing of the past.
Also, many people have been forced to leave the area because the cost of residing in South Florida has risen to a point of no return. Small companies face many difficulties and being small does not allow wages to be any higher to match with the larger companies. The children have been affected in such a way that they have learned to be complacent and lazy. During the pandemic, we had to close our doors and I conducted online classes.
Paying the rent during COVID was difficult and I applied for grants which I was lucky to win and keep me in business. I constantly have to use my imagination and creativity to bring in revenue. I love teaching dance and the arts. My joy is seeing Jus HipHop Dance Studio making a difference in the children and their adult lives.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Jus HipHop Dance Studio, we specialize in preserving the essence of hip-hop culture and the performing arts. Our focus is on nurturing creative expression in dance, steering clear of teaching inappropriate movements. We offer a comprehensive curriculum encompassing hip-hop dance, breakdance, acting, ballet, and more.
Annually, we showcase our talented students in Broadway-style productions, providing them with a platform to shine. Beyond the studio, we actively engage our students with the community, encouraging them to perform at various events. The scripts, music selections, and mixes are thoughtfully crafted by the studio owner.
We take pride in our commitment to age-appropriate and classy costumes, fostering an environment that values dignity and self-expression for all ages. What sets us apart is our unwavering dedication to individual growth. We don’t just teach dance; we impart life lessons. Our students develop the ability to challenge themselves and set and achieve goals.
Moreover, our care extends beyond their time at the studio. We maintain an enduring connection with our students even after they’ve matured. Many return to contribute to our community, expressing gratitude for the positive impact on their lives.
At Jus HipHop, we believe in more than just dance; we believe in shaping lives, fostering leadership, and building a community that lasts a lifetime.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I like Pembroke Pines because it is safer than areas that I have lived in. I also like the fact that it has grown a lot and there are good schools and the landscaping is maintained.
I do not like that Pembroke Pines is not involved in the community and does not embrace the arts or culture. I continuously complain about these issues and nothing is done.
Pricing:
- Monthly dance classes start at $110 a month
- adult classes start at $20 per class
- Acting classes are $125 a month
- Annual Show prices are from $25 to $50
- Advertisings start at $50 for program ads
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jushiphop.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jushiphop/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jushiphop
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maraj-charlton-b3a2801a/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jushiphopdancestudio2909
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@marajjushiphop?
Image Credits
@305kidjet
