Producer / talent developer / songwriter / performing artist / philanthropist / community servant / youth and health advocate, Monique Barashango, has dedicated her life to improving the mental, physical, and spiritual well being of youth and the global community. While working as a substitute in various schools, she established an inspirational, empowerment resource to positively nurture the talents and self-esteem of troubled youth, called ViZion Dance International and the non-profit entity ViZion Dance, Inc. (http://www.viziondance.org/vizion_dance_inc.html)
As a result of her tireless commitment to the community, ViZion has been profiled on CNN’s Impact Your World, WSB-TV’s People 2 People, Good Day Atlanta as well as various other national and international tv and print media outlets.
Now a "Broadway worthy" dance and theatrical ensemble (ages 8-Adult), ViZion has gone on to receive numerous honors such as "America’s Best Inspirational Dance Company" and was recognized as One of the Top Ten Dance Ministries in America (by Dance Ministry Magazine) for 3 consecutive years, appeared at the Global and Humanitarian World Summit, was the opening act on TV’s internationally syndicated Gospel Superfest, has served as ambassadors to The King Center and AD King Foundation, as well as served on the Grant Council for the City of Atlanta Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs, and is home of the first hip hop inspirational dance crew to grace the stage of Harlem’s world famous Apollo theater!
Members have gone on to appear in Feature Films (Disney, Nickelodeon, MTV’s "America’s Best Dance Crew" and much more! As ViZion began to impact the community internationally, Monique saw a need to provide a global platform for talented urban youth to be able to express themselves in front of both peers and established music/tv industry artists as well as develop their social and physical skills. As a result, "Blaze the Floor-National Dance Battle and Tour" was established in which some of the most respected street dancers and crews compete in a positive and inspirational atmosphere, while learning to uplift and empower one another as they strive to grow and become better artists. ViZion also hosts various health and fitness workshops ("Sole2Soul") during the event and in an effort to evoke positive social change, has world renown community leaders and artists discuss social issues with the youth. As members of the International Peace Syndicate project, they joined forces with Grammy and Emmy award winning producers to combat bullying through music and dance. ViZion has also produced numerous fitness videos under the "Fitness with ViZion" series as well as a reality show, "Blaze The Floor" (featuring their diverse and talented choreographers).
In an ongoing commitment to provide professional and artist development opportunities and resources, Monique has also partnered with Spelman College Department of Dance and Choreography during their "Inside the Dancer's Studio" series, "The Business o Dance: Building and Preserving Legacies" forum in which she served as a panelist and an organizer. Moreover, ViZion Dance, Inc. is a collaborator with the Dunham Institute in the presentation of their Bi-Annual "A Day of Respect" in which they honor "unsung" luminaries in the field of Education, Law, Medicine, Entertainment and Arts & Culture in the local and national community through workshops, panel discussions, and an awards gala.
A graduate of Spelman College (Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences/Biology) and a former Captain in the United States Air Force, Monique was the youngest President of the Dover Air Force Base African American Heritage Committee, appeared on tv as an Air Force spokesperson, was an active member of AFCOMAP (Air Force Cadet Officer Mentoring Action Program), wrote newspaper articles and produced community events and musicals featuring base personnel, greatly uplifting the morale of the troops! She also orchestrated free monthly dinners for the young airmen and their families and was the Math/ Science director for the Dr. Betty Shabazz Academy for Girls (sponsored by her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority , Inc.) . Her commitment to community service led to her being presented the Major General Archer L. Durham Award for Community Service (presented to her by the Asst. Secretary to the Air Force). This honor is awarded to the African American with the most community service at Dover Air Force Base.
After her military career, she returned to her Alma Mater, Spelman College, to join the staff as the Biology Lab Manager for several years and then went on to be Children’s Program Director at Dance411 Studios (Atlanta) as well as founder of Bloc South Talent Agency’s Nyota Kwa Bloc Children’s African Dance Ensemble. Most recently, she co-founded the production company Rock-A-ViZion Productions with the great dance pioneer Honey Rockwell (http://www.rockwelldanceacademy.com/) in which they are currently working on a touring production featuring dance icons telling the history of hip hop culture.
ViZion’s latest international project is "The New Legacy, Reclaiming The Dream" (full length ballet and documentary - http://www.newlegacyusa.com/). This production, under the direction of the first African American Tony Award Winner, Director/ Broadway Choreographer George Faison ("The Wiz"), emphasizes the Transgenerational connection of social issues and dance as well as identify how the arts can aid the world in moving forward in addressing the social issues(including race and cultural relations / free speech / technology, and socialization) that we face in our global and national society today. The project has already been awarded a state proclamation from the Georgia House of Representatives presented at The Carter Center.
Some of her students have gone on to be featured in various lauded productions such as "Essencefest", Broadway’s "Tina: The Tina Turner Musical", "Chicago", "The Lion King", "Holla If you Hear Me" as well as the Oscar award winning "Spider-man: Into the Spider-Verse" and the critically acclaimed "Dope" movie and "The Get Down" TV series (the previous three starring ViZion alum, Shameik Moore), "Joyful Noise", "Captain America: Civil War" movie, as well as various Disney Channel shows and Nickelodeon.
In addition, she has sung with Opera great Jessie Norman, the national anthem with Natalie Cole at the 1993 Super bowl and the Olympic theme song with Celine Dion at the Opening ceremony of the 1996 Olympic Games
Moreover, she has featured roles in the following upcoming movies: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), Creed III (2022), The Color Purple Movie: The Musical (2023)
As the proud wife of a Morehouse Man and mother of 4, Monique has dedicated her life to inspiring her family and others to lead a purpose driven life, "Mind, Body and Soul"!
