Lula Washington brings stories of justice and hope to the stage
BY LA Stories Staff Los Angeles
PUBLISHED 5:00 AM PT Oct. 06, 2025
Lula Washington, founder of the Lula Washington Dance Theatre, joins “LA Stories with Giselle Fernandez” to reflect on her 45-year journey in dance and activism.
From her childhood in the Nickerson Gardens projects to being inspired by Alvin Ailey, Washington transformed obstacles into opportunities.
Despite being told she was too old to pursue dance, she persisted and built a company that gave voice to African-American experiences and pressing social issues.
“I knew in my heart that ‘no’ couldn’t hurt me, and the only person that could hurt me and pull me back would be myself,” she said. “And I was not going to do that. I would just keep going.”
Washington’s work has long fused artistry with activism, addressing themes of homelessness, police brutality, gang violence and resilience through dance.
One of her most powerful pieces, “Check This Out,” emerged after the Rodney King verdict as an organic expression of community pain and healing.
The company’s repertoire blends Afro-Haitian, gospel, ballet, modern and hip-hop traditions to tell stories that otherwise went unheard.
“We’re tired of being ignored. We’re tired of seeing the truth smeared and distorted,” she said. “And we’re tired of double standards for justice.”
At the heart of her story is family.
Together with her husband Erwin and daughter Tamica, Washington built not only a dance theater on Crenshaw Boulevard, but also a multi-generational legacy of empowerment. Tamica now carries the torch, honoring the history while forging new work for future audiences.
For Washington, the impact of family, students and community is her proudest accomplishment.
“Everything that I have accomplished to me is a legacy,” she said.