Gloria Mwez’s Dance Studio Promotes Diversity Amid Cherokee Street’s Gentrification
St. Louis’s Cherokee Street, a historic enclave in the city’s diverse tapestry, now hosts a beacon of inclusivity and artistic expression—The Untitled Project dance studio, owned by Gloria Mwez. Hailing from the Democratic Republic of Congo and raised in the United States, Mwez has impeccably aligned her dance studio’s mission with her personal journey of crossing borders and embracing cultural diversity.
The Journey to St. Louis
Gloria Mwez’s passion for dance ignited during her teenage years, transitioning from gymnastics, and she subsequently pursued a dance certificate and business degree at the University of Notre Dame. Her journey took her through Chicago, where she established the Chicago Untitled Project, a space fostering creative expression. When she relocated to St. Louis during the pandemic, funded by an AARPA grant, she faced the mental health challenges common to many amidst COVID-19 disruptions.
“I had to learn a whole new body, a whole new space,” Mwez shares. Yet, determination led her to plant roots on Cherokee Street, opening doors to a space vibrant with potential for diverse artists.
Cherokee Street: A Canvas for Change
Cherokee Street, traditionally a Latino neighborhood, is undergoing gentrification—a transformation threatened by rising rents and the erasure of cultural identity. According to Mwez, “Some things happening at Cherokee are starting to look like South Grand,” reflecting on the shift that, while aesthetically pleasing, risks homogenizing its cultural texture. Nonetheless, Mwez finds solace in a growing number of women and minority-owned businesses, nurturing a sense of community kinship.
However, challenges loom large for such business ventures. A primary concern remains inadequate high-speed internet access on Cherokee Street, an issue tied to broader socio-economic infrastructural disparities. Mwez notes, “There are only certain spaces in cities where you can have [high-speed internet], and they tend to align with the richer, whiter spaces.”
This technical bottleneck impacts not only daily operations but the studio’s ability to offer seamless experiences—a poignant reminder of the digital divide affecting over half of St. Louis’s population, as per a 2022 St. Louis Community Foundation study.
A Studio for All
The Untitled Project isn’t merely a dance studio; it’s a bold stance against the societal norms discouraging adults from expressing themselves through movement. “Something happens when you have bills and rent and a job,” Mwez observes of the societal pressures sidelining personal passions as extraneous. Her studio offers an inviting space for adults to rediscover dancing—a statement against the notion that art’s value wanes outside professional pursuits.
Lending her voice to a sustainable arts ecosystem, Mwez envisions The Untitled Project as a stepping stone for artists to earn livelihoods while enriching St. Louis’s cultural landscape. “I want my business to succeed… so that artists can feel like they can get paid for doing their art,” she asserts, emphasizing the community’s crucial role in supporting independent ventures.
Community Support and Future Implications
The expiration of grant funding necessitates steadfast community backing, underscoring the importance of local support for small businesses that lend character to neighborhoods like Cherokee Street. Gloria Mwez remains optimistic, expressing gratitude for St. Louis’s thriving art scenes and the warmth of its residents.
Looking ahead, stakeholders in St. Louis could draw from this narrative to address and combat the challenges of gentrification, ensuring urban development does not eclipse cultural diversity and artistic innovation. As the broader community navigates these dynamics, Mwez’s story at The Untitled Project serves as an evergreen reminder of art’s power to unify and inspire.
For St. Louis residents seeking involvement, The Untitled Project opens its doors to prospective students and collaborators; details can be found at [thatuntitledproject.com/studio](https://thatuntitledproject.com/studio/).
As Gloria Mwez masterfully choreographs a future where diversity defines Cherokee Street, her studio stands as an emblematic example of local impact and community interest—the strides of many echoing in her dance studio’s spacious halls, marked by its unmistakable panel windows highlighted in white chalk marker.
Through the lens of Woke News, Mwez’s journey embodies the crossroads of cultural heritage and community pursuit, furnishing both a site and sight of transformation captivating St. Louis and beyond.
