“This is America”, the music video which went viral across social media and news feeds. It also made a Number 1 debut on streaming songs chart.
Forbes described the visuals in the video as “socially conscious and violent, presenting a controversial juxtaposition of joy, ignorance and trauma”.
That video introduced the world to a new artistic visionary, the music video’s choreographer, Sherrie Silver, who is now an accomplished creative entrepreneur.
Being the film’s dance director, she fused 10 traditional dances of the African diaspora. Aside from choreographing “This Is America,” though, Silver is an accomplished creative entrepreneur, and her journey began far before this video dropped.
Silver is a U.K-based creative director, dancer, and actress, but originally from Rwanda in East Africa, who says she’s on a mission to educate the world about African cultures through the art of dance.
Silver was present on the night of the MTV VMA awards when Childish Gambino’s This Is America, bagged three awards for Best Choreography, Best Video with a Message, and Best Direction. All awards were collected by Silver on behalf of the team.
Despite growing up with financial constraints, and with a degree in business marketing, Silver leveraged on social media as a platform to create a sustainable dance career for herself while providing opportunities for her community.
Prior to warming the hearts of millions with her dance steps, Silver started out by recording dance videos using her phone and uploading them on YouTube. Her YouTube channel now has more than 458,000 subscribers.
Silver, 25, is now a dedicated advocate and activist giving back to her community. She has paid for hundreds of Rwandan citizens’ healthcare, and she regularly hosts large community events and then donates those proceeds to various causes.
In an interview with Forbes, Silver said that being a philanthropist is what completes her life. “Wherever I go, I feel like it’s my duty to redevelop schools, to put kids in school. Even now, I’m going to have the “This Is America” celebration party, where all the kids are going to get to have this free workshop. They’re going to get food, presents.”
Apart from starting several professional development programs for underserved women, she also rents out a home in Rwanda to shelter displaced and disadvantaged children.
On her mission, Silver travels the world, popping up at festivals, collaborating with cultural institutions and hosting small group sessions to bring African dance to the public.
Silver has worked with music superstars like Wizkid, Sean Paul, Tiwa Savage, P-Square and more. She has even created a tutorial for those looking to learn the moves in “This is America.”
