In a recent episode of the Arty Grow Podcast, host Sarah Lapierre sat down with Erica Squire, founder and CEO of Natural Movers, for a deeply insightful conversation about dance, community, and the philosophy behind her rapidly growing arts organization. Erica's journey, rooted in Palm Beach County and influenced by global perspectives, reveals a commitment to making joyful, high-level movement accessible to everyone.

From Ghana to Ubuntu: A Global Perspective

Erica describes herself as a "global citizen," a perspective shaped profoundly by her travels. A moment during a study abroad in Ghana became pivotal: witnessing the local rhythms of life taught her to honor the pace of human connection over the rush of a schedule. She realized the rhythm of life is everywhere, from clothing blowing on a line to the synchronized, non-verbal process of making fufu .

This philosophy is captured by the term Ubuntu—the powerful African ethos meaning "I am because of who we are." For Erica, this concept drives Natural Movers, ensuring that creativity and leadership are always rooted in collaboration and partnership, leaving no space for selfishness or ego.

The Organic Evolution of Natural Movers

Natural Movers' origin story is one of organic growth. The initial idea arose from seeing talented young dancers in the community starting their training late, particularly in essential techniques like ballet, which requires anatomical consistency to be effective.

However, the organization formalized in 2022 when Erica created a simple art program for her daughter. Rolling the effort under the name "Natural Movers," the community response was immediate and overwhelming. She quickly realized her mission had shifted from creating a personal dance company to building a non-profit that could sustain robust, community-focused programs rooted in love and inclusion.

Core Practices & Influences

Erica credits influential figures, including her high school band directors, who instilled a lifelong demand for excellence and accountability. Later, her mentor, Dr. Kariamu Welsh, taught her the power of humility and the value of intentionality.

This manifests in Erica's unique choreographic process, which she calls body speak. It's a deeply collaborative method where she investigates the dancer's body, story, and natural movement quality first, rather than imposing preconceived steps. This ensures the delivery is authentic and never forced.

Signature Programs: Breaking Down Barriers

Natural Movers specializes in site-specific, high-quality, and accessible programming designed to combat social isolation and loneliness by bringing people together in public spaces.

Moved: This annual event, celebrating Black History Month, emphasizes that Black culture is inseparable from all American culture. It features master-class training and performances from renowned artists like hip-hop icon Buddha Stretch and former Dance Theatre of Harlem ballerina Panica Jones.
Dance All Day Fest: A pure expression of joy, this festival is often held in outdoor public venues like City Place. It is designed for total participation, where attendees "walk into it" and move together regardless of age or skill level, fostering a beautiful sense of community and celebration (the Naniggo philosophy).
Open Spaces: A unique site-specific event at the Norton Museum. Audiences are guided through the museum's open spaces to witness short, powerful dance works that are directly inspired by the surrounding artwork. The next iteration is scheduled for September 12th as part of Art After Dark.

Finding Peace to Create

Addressing the pressures of modern life, Erica offered timeless advice for creatives and community builders:

"The best advice I think I was given... is to Selah—to pause and reflect—and to allow peace to be still."

She emphasizes that battling the cultural pressure to "hustle and grind" is necessary. Only by allowing oneself to pause and recharge can the inherent creativity flow, rather than being blocked by self-imposed pressures and exhaustion.

Erica’s final recommendation for anyone visiting or living in Palm Beach County is to simply "go to the beach" to create space, rest, and allow for the personal refresh that will enable them to engage more meaningfully with the world.

To learn more about Natural Movers' mission, future events, or to get involved, visit the website or follow them on social media.