January 25, 2025, Altadena California
Pacific Swing Dance Foundation (PSDF) is pleased to announce that Denise Minns-Harris was officially inducted onto the PSDF Board of Directors in January 2025. Her appointment was publicly announced today at the California Balboa Classic. Ms. Minns-Harris currently serves as the Vice President of Individual Giving at the NAACP and is the founder of the Al Minns Next Generation Project.
Below is Ms. Minns-Harris’ profile, published on the PacificSwingDanceFoundation.org:
Denise Minns-Harris, Vice President of Individual Giving at the NAACP and founder of the Al Minns Next Generation Project, was born in New York City to a Black father, famed jazz dancer Al Minns, and a Jewish mother, Audrey Sands at a time when their marriage was illegal in most of the United States.
From early activism as a youth member of the Black Panther Party and enrolling in college at 16, she has devoted her life to advancing social justice and artistic excellence. A dancer, Buddhist, wife, mother, and grandmother, Denise spent 15 years working alongside Debbie Allen to elevate the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, later applying her passion and skills to raise funds for myriad organizations including Greenpeace, The Southern Poverty Law Center, and MoveOn.org.
A dedicated philanthropist, Denise merges deep strategic insight with genuine commitment to the missions she serves. Her expertise in sophisticated donor outreach and targeted messaging has transformed fundraising campaigns nationwide, enhancing cultural institutions and advocacy efforts alike. Now a newly appointed member of the Board of Directors of the Pacific Swing Dance Foundation, she continues her father’s legacy by fostering community, celebrating jazz dance heritage, and inspiring future generations through art and activism.
The PSDF board of directors is delighted to welcome Ms. Minns-Harris and looks forward to her leadership as we carry on our mission of preserving and promoting swing dance!