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Beyoncé’s “Formation” took the world by storm with its astounding visuals and pro-black message. More recently, in light of the Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, and Dallas tragedies – among many others – Beyoncé released a statement on her Instagram and invited millions of her followers to “get in formation,” contact their local legislators through her website, and incite change.

Even though Bey is the Queen, she also has many others with her who have worked toward a common aesthetic and political goal. Here is a list of the beautiful women who have danced with Beyoncé and deserve our attention for their contributions to the music world and the #BlackLivesMatter movement, too.

1 BIANCA BREWTON (@biancabrewton_)

Hip Hop Orchestra type of night ✊??!!! #BlackPanther #Cortez #BiancaB ??

A photo posted by Bianca Brewton (@biancabrewton_) on

Brewton tweeted, “Dear Black men, I value you on July 7th, following the Alton Sterling and Philando Castile tragedies. Bianca Brewton is a professional dancer from Miami, Florida. She has danced for Beyoncé, of course, but she has also danced with Miley Cyrus and has been featured in the films “Footloose,” “Step Up: Revolution,” and “Step Up: All In.”

2 QUINETTA WILMINGTON (@quinnyfrmphilly)

 

Quinetta posted an Instagram photo with the caption, “DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHY I SCREAM #BLACKLIVESMATTER NOW? This hurts…my heart…Crying because it feels like I lost ANOTHER brother, uncle, cousin, friend. WHY?” Quinetta Wilmington is a professional dancer and a #BlackLivesMatter advocate from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who slayed alongside Bey on the Formation World Tour.

3 KIMBERLY GIPSON (@kimmiegeedotcom)

 

Gipson has posted photos on Instagram with various captions that show how proud she is of her heritage. One of her pictures is captioned: “Say it Loud… I’m Black and I’m Proud!” Kimberly Gipson is a professional dancer from New Jersey and is one of Beyoncé’s main backup dancers on the Formation World Tour. She has also performed in numerous other performances with the superstar, but Gipson actually didn’t make the cut in her first audition with Queen Bey in 2007. In the years that she spent following the unsuccessful audition, she worked on her confidence and craft. She is now the founder of a professional dance workshop, called Kimmestry, dedicated to encouraging and inspiring young dancers.

4 JASMINE BADIE (@mssjb)

A photo posted by Jasmine JB Badie (@mssjb) on

 

After the Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, and Dallas shootings, Badie took to Instagram to express her feelings: “Land of who’s free?” Jasmine Badie is a professional dancer and proud Georgia peach from east Atlanta. Like Bianca Brewton, she was also featured in the movie “Footloose.”

5 BRITANNIE BIANCA (@sheisb.alexx)

 

Also following recent tragedies, Bianca posted on Instagram: “It’s a sad f——- day. #BlackLivesMatter.” Brittanie Bianca is a professional dancer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She has had the opportunity to travel the world and has danced alongside Beyoncé, Meghan Trainor, and AlunaGeorge. She has also appeared on the Jimmy Kimmel Show and Billboard Music Awards.

6 CHINA TAYLOR (@itschinataylor)

A photo posted by China Taylor (@itschinataylor) on

 

In reaction to Diamond Reynolds’ video of her late fiancée, Philando Castile, Taylor tweeted, “I’m crying. It hits harder and harder every time.” China Taylor is a professional dancer and model living in Los Angeles, California.

7 KENITIA COLEMAN (@keniicole)

A photo posted by Kenitia Coleman (@keniicole) on

 

On July 7th, the night of the Dallas police shootings, Coleman re-posted an Instagram image captioned, “Why does the Klan wear hoods? Because when they’re done they go back to being your doctors, your lawyers, your governors, your police officers, your senators, your teachers, your judges, etc.” Kenitia Coleman is a professional dancer and dance instructor from Atlanta, Georgia living in Los Angeles. The artist was featured in Beyonce’s “Lemonade” and has also danced with Fifth Harmony.

8 FULANI BAHATI (@queenfu)

A photo posted by @queenfu on

 

On July 7th, Bahati stated on her Instagram, “And to think that all we ever wanted was our God-given right to be treated like a human being. Nothing more, nothing less. Equality!!! Is it really that hard ??” Fulani Bahati is a professional dancer from Los Angeles, California. She has danced alongside Beyoncé on the Formation World Tour and has also danced with Keke Palmer, Nicki Minaj, and Tyga. Additionally, Bahati has been featured on the Disney shows “Shake It Up” and “Austin and Ally.”

9 JANA B. THOMPKINS (@janabthompkins)

 

On July 7th, Thompkins posted, “My fear is that soon, all we’ll be is hashtags and re-posts. A nation built on hate only knows hate. But we are a people taught to rise and overcome. So when do we stop with the hashtags and ‘sad selfies’ and actually become mobile? Yea. I don’t know either. #altonsterling.” Jana B. Thompkins is a professional dancer from Texas and a Howard University alum who has danced with Usher, Ne-Yo, and Beyoncé during her Super Bowl halftime show. She has also been a featured dancer in Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda” music video and has toured with Minaj on “The Pinkprint Tour.”

10 DNAY B. (@dnaybisme)

A photo posted by Dnay B (@dnaybisme) on

 

Dnay also posted in response to the events of July 7th: “Today my heart is so heavy with all that is going on… Tonight I dance for the Kings who won’t have a chance to dream another dream or tell their families they love them… BUT IM SICK AND TIRED OF BEING SICK AND TIRED! When does it end?” Dnay B. is a professional dancer and musician from Harlem, in New York City who is currently on tour with Beyoncé. She has also appeared on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” dancing alongside Alicia Keys.

11 DEJA RILEY (@dejariley)

 

In response to the Alton Sterling shooting, Riley said, “Praying tonight that Alton Sterling will NOT be just another hashtag, praying that his family & loved ones will feel God’s loving arms wrapped around them so tight […] and praying for CHANGE… that I will be the change, WE will be the change NOW. God please show us the way[…] #BlackLivesMatter.” Deja Riley is a professional dancer and musician who has danced with Beyoncé in her Superbowl show and is currently on tour with Trey Songz.

12 SAIDAH NAIROBI (@saidanairobi)

 

In the wake of recent tragedies, Nairobi shared, “So. Many. Names. Names of brothers and sisters who have died at the hands of police brutality. Injustice which has no just cause. It’s time for a change RIGHT NOW. Pastors, Mayors, Governors, Police Chiefs, Police Officers, Politicians, Teachers, Community Leaders, Prayer Warriors, it is time to SPEAK UP and TAKE ACTION. NOW. #FormationWorldTour #blacklivesmatter.” Saidah Nairobi is a professional dancer born in Queens, NY and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. She has worked with Beyoncé, Usher, Ne-Yo, and Ciara.

13 KIIRA M. HARPER

A photo posted by Kiira Harper (@kiiramharper) on

 

On Facebook, Harper posted how she felt about July 7th: “All these black men, party promoters throwing huge events every weekend bringing in hundreds of people to major events in major American cities. Maybe it’s time for y’all to put that platform to work ! What can y’all do to help? The same way y’all meet every week to plan the next party let’s dedicate a meeting to pulling together a different kind of event! We gotta stick together! Let’s make a difference!” Kiira M. Harper is a professional dancer and model and a Hampton University alum. Most recently, she has danced with Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, and Keenan Cooks.

14 KHADIJA SHARI (@khadijashari)

A photo posted by khadijashari (@khadijashari) on

 

On July 7th, Khadija shared, “My Black Sisters and Brothers, we WILL Prevail.. God got us! In the meantime, We NEED EACH OTHER!! STAY WOKE. Do your research. Stay Prayed up. And continue to be the magic you are. This country NEEDS us more than they’ll EVER admit.” Khadija Shari is a professional Trini dancer and model now living in New York and Los Angeles. She has danced for Beyoncé and Pharrell Williams and has been featured as the face of Pharrell’s single, “Marilyn Monroe.”

15 AHSIA JANAE (@fierceninja)

 

Ahsia Janae is a professional dancer from Atlanta, Georgia. In addition to having danced with Beyoncé and Will Smith, Ahsia has been active in uncovering the events related to the alleged lynching at Piedmont Park.

16 CHRISTINA WEBBER (@iamxtinawebb)

 

In response to the tragedies, Webber posted on her Instagram, “Hate is not of God. Narrow minds are not of God. Something has to change.” Christina Webber is a dancer who has appeared on the Soul Train Awards and has worked with Jeremih and Beyoncé.

17 KHADIJA WILSON

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During the on-screen display of black men killed in police shootings at Beyoncé’s Formation World Tour, Wilson was recorded saying, “Go to Beyonce.com and contact your representatives. DO SOMETHING MORE THAN A HASHTAG. Look at all those names that couldn’t fit. That is almost a 100-foot screen. We don’t want sympathy, we need change.” Khadija Wilson is a professional dancer from Turkey who  is currently working with Queen Bey on the Formation World Tour.

18 ASHLEY EVERETT (@ashleycmeverett)

 

Ashley Everett is from Tampa, Florida and joined Beyoncé on tour for the first time when she was seventeen years old after working with the world-renowned Alvin Ailey Dance Theater from New York. She is now Beyoncé’s dance captain and is currently on the Formation World Tour. She is a professional dancer, choreographer, and actress on VH1’s “Hit the Floor.”

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