House Resolution 575
By: Representative Lupton of the 83rd
A RESOLUTION
Commending Moving in the Spirit; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, Moving in the Spirit was founded in 1986 by Dana Lupton, Leah Mann, and
Genene Stewart to empower underserved youth through dance, growing from a single class
for 25 girls into an award-winning creative youth development program; and
WHEREAS, throughout its 39-year history, Moving in the Spirit has impacted more than
5,000 children through its programs and inspired tens of thousands more through workshops
and performances, forging key partnerships with organizations such as the Atlanta Children's
Shelter, Boys & Girls Clubs of Atlanta, and KIPP Atlanta Schools; and
WHEREAS, the organization has earned national recognition, including being honored at a
2005 White House ceremony hosted by First Lady Laura Bush and performing for Liberian
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf; and
WHEREAS, in 2021, Moving in the Spirit opened a $10 million performing arts center at
MARTA's Edgewood/Candler Park development, establishing a permanent home to further
its mission of transforming lives through the arts; and
WHEREAS, its measurable impact includes a 96 percent increase in student confidence, with
100 percent of seniors graduating high school and pursuing higher education, vocational
training, or military service; and
WHEREAS, alumni of Moving in the Spirit have gone on to excel in diverse careers,
including Broadway, public health, education, and civic leadership, with many attributing
their success to the confidence, discipline, and creativity instilled by the program; and
WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that this remarkable organization be
appropriately honored during this special time.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body commend Moving in the Spirit for its decades of outstanding
contributions to youth development through the arts and extend best wishes for continued
success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to
Moving in the Spirit.