Freestyle not only hosted and organized the showcase, but the team also delivered unforgettable performances of their own. The audience was captivated and full of high energy from the very first beat drop, as the team opened the night with one of their electrifying routines, radiating confidence while dressed in matching team shirts. 

To learn more about the team behind this electrifying event, we interviewed Taeyu Kim ’27, an E-Board member, and Emily Li ’28, a new member of Freestyle. When asked what drew her to join the team, Li shared how her prior hip-hop experience was mostly self-taught, and she did not initially intend to pursue hip-hop in college, until a flyer about auditions for Freestyle ultimately changed her mind.

“Although I did not get in [during] the fall audition, I loved Freestyle’s overall genuine, warm, and supportive atmosphere. I also attended their fall show, ‘Spotlight,’ when I vowed to myself that I will try auditioning again in the spring!” Li said.

Li is not alone in expressing love for Freestyle’s close-knit community. Kim, who serves as the organization’s Publicity Chair, remarked that “the reason I kept coming back became the community just as much as my growing love for dance.”

Behind each polished performance — consisting of smooth transitions and synchronized moves — is hours of dedication and coordination. Kim gave us a look into what practices typically look like, explaining: “We do a warm-up when about everyone arrives, and then we have the plan for practice laid out, whether that is formations, learning choreo, or just practicing/drilling. Usually at the end, we do a recording to watch over and use to improve ourselves.”

Li also emphasized the behind-the-scenes effort that goes into preparing for performances, adding, “We take up a lot of time behind the scenes to block formations on stage and clean up each choreography!”

Kim added, “We work very hard to get the quality of dance you see on the stage! …[Jam On It] week is merciless. I think we did more than 30 hours last week, which is insane, especially along with all the e-board tasks that we are managing every day of that week.” Sharing a favorite performance, she continued, “…’Jam On It’ is always very special! We say a goodbye to our seniors (we love you seniors!), do the choreos from the entire year and get to put on a show we are proud of.”

Though Freestyle is an organization with a mission to learn and perform hip-hop routines, Li also highlighted how one of her favorite aspects of the team is how “everyone is so caring and passionate about dance, and I love watching each dancer’s distinctive personality shine when they perform.”

Though “Jam On It” showcases the amazing talent Freestyle brings to the stage, it is also a celebration of the long-term dedication, passion, and togetherness that define the team. Li and Kim, as well as all of Freestyle, hope the hip-hop group’s strong sense of connection and belonging will continue to inspire and uplift the Wellesley community as a whole.

Image Credit: Chelsea Tarringer ’28

Contact the editors responsible for this story: Phoebe Rebhorn and India Lacey

The foundation was launched in August 2016 when Blake and her sister saw a need to help students access essential school supplies in their local community in St. Thomas. They recognized how families were struggling to provide adequate resources for their children to properly learn in school.

“Growing up, we saw firsthand how a lack of resources affected students’ education. We wanted to ease that burden for families and give children the tools they need to succeed,” Blake explained.

In the early years, the foundation was entirely self-funded, with Blake and her sister covering all expenses out of their own pockets. “Thankfully, over the years, many sponsors have come on board, along with [financial] support from family and friends,” she said. “As the need grew, we [expanded our efforts] to help children in neighboring communities.”

The foundation’s mission is clear: to provide school supplies for students from low-income families, ensuring they have the necessary resources to succeed in their studies. The lack of basic school supplies not only puts a mental and financial burden on students, but also on their teachers, who often use their own money to pay for the supplies needed. The Blake sisters hope to amplify and address this issue of educational inequity that affects so many through the work they do within The Children of Albion Foundation. 

“We believe every child can succeed if given the right tools,” Blake remarked.

This year, the foundation is hosting a book bag on Wellesley’s campus to collect donations for underprivileged Jamaican students for the upcoming school year. The drive has collection boxes at several locations across campus, including Bates, Harambee House, Stone Davis, Shafer and Tower.

“We welcome all types of backpacks in new and [gently used] condition, and school supplies, including hardcover notebooks, pencils, sharpeners, and more,” Blake said.

For those who want to support the drive but are unable to donate supplies, Blake emphasized that there are still other ways to get involved. “[You] can still show support by making monetary donations, volunteering or sharing our initiative with others,” she said. “Every effort helps make a difference.”

Until the end of the month, the Wellesley community can participate in the collection and support the mission of the foundation. Though there is a long way to go in ensuring that every child can acquire the educational resources they need, the Children of Albion Foundation’s book bag drive may be a step forward in addressing the gaps present all around us.

Image credit: Rachel Blake ’28

Contact the editors responsible for this story: Phoebe Rebhorn and Valida Pau