Jamila Ajanaku

Certified Instructor

Jamila Ajanaku, a native of Chicago, Illinois, became interested in dance at an early age. While in high school her dance instructor advised her to apply to Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Illinois to pursue her studies in dance.

Splitting her time between SIU in Edwardsville and East St. Louis, Illinois, Ms. Ajanaku had the opportunity to study under the tutelage of Katherine Dunham and her original dance company members at the Performing Arts Training Center. This allowed Jamila to earn credits towards her degree from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville in June of 1979.

After receiving her degree, Jamila was hired to teach Dunham Technique and to choreograph, and dance with the performing company. Eventually, she started the Children’s Dance Ensemble for children ages six to twelve.

Ms. Ajanaku worked at Southern Illinois University for 35 years, and retired in May of 2014, after working with the East St. Louis Charter High School, where she taught Dunham technique, choreographed for and performed with her students. Often, she encouraged her students to consider careers in the visual and performing arts.

In August of 2017, Ms. Ajanaku returned to her roots of dance, coming out of retirement after the principal of her school invited her to come back, seeing that there was a need for the students to have more physical activity and recognizing that dance was a good fit.

Besides her work in the East St. Louis area, Ms. Ajanaku has taught in Japan, Ghana and Hawaii. She works with the Harambee Institute that teaches Dunham Technique, West African dance, the art of drumming, jewelry making, and techniques of storytelling. Ms. Ajanaku works with Mentoring with Purpose, a non-profit organization established to provide disadvantaged youth with dance opportunities. The students, ages 5 to 18, come from Illinois and Missouri. Students are taught Dunham Technique, Ballet, Hip Hop, Salsa and liturgical dance. This vital service provides youth an opportunity for productive use of their spare time.

Ms. Ajanaku has numerous Zumba certifications. She has worked with Cossan International Senegalese Dance Company director Mor Thiam, Inner Vision Dance and Theater Company under the direction of Keith Tyrone Williams, Unity Theater Ensemble with directors Ralph Greene and Bonnie Harmon, Southern Illinois University East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts, with Theodore Jamison (Program Director & Master Teacher of Dunham Technique). As well, Ms Ajanaku works with Oasis Catch Habits, an evidence based intergenerational program that combats obesity by engaging adults age 50-plus and by serving as a mentor /role model, teaching healthy lifelong habits to children in grades K–5.

Ms. Ajanaku, currently dances with Afriky LOLO Dance Company, which brings African dance to the St. Louis community through teaching and performances, so that African Americans and others will gain a rich understanding of African heritage, while experiencing the joy and power of dance. Ms. Ajanaku enjoys assisting with the children’s dance company and performing with the adult company. Ms. Ajanaku continues her commitment to teaching Dunham Technique, Arts and Education conducting a variety of workshops throughout the Mid-West and abroad.

Ms. Ajanaku received in December 2023 her 200- hr Yoga teacher certification.