Black Flame was first established in the year of 2003 by three young prestigious Kutztown Students, Derrick Elliot, Tahirah Caldwell, and Latifah Justice. These Philadelphians came to Kutztown for not only an educational experience, but for an unforgettable campus life.  The three determined students had the idea of finding a productive activity to get involved in during their free hours while staying on campus grounds.  They collectively decided to find an activity that they all had in common, which was the art of dance.  These determined individuals decided upon themselves to recruit others who felt the same. During their vigorous search for talented Kutztown students, Derrick, Tahirah, and Latifah came across other unique, artistic, and stylish individuals that were ecstatic about the idea of having another dance team on campus.  There names are as followed:      Marquita Shired, Adrienne Shelton, Shanaee Morris, Ashley Ferguson,  Monique Boykins,  Nikki, Denia, April, Lanae, and Kim.

As the group began to form, Derrick Elliot, one of the founding members and the head choreographer, started to create choreographed moves like no other, with the help of his talented assistants Marquita Shired, and Adrienne Shelton. Practices began in the Blue Room located in Old Main, later moving into the basement of Bonner Hall. Through sweat, hard work, tears, and determination, all the members of this new upcoming dance team given the title “BLACK FLAME”, finally had their first performance with the help of the Black Student Union (B.S.U) and their greatly appreciated donation. With this, the team received their first, but unofficial t-shirts, with flames signifying fire because they were so hot.  Quickly achieving the fame and respect from other organizations, as well as the students on campus, the group became the infamous BLACK FLAME DANCE TEAM.  All inspired by the possibility of dreams, movement that excites, souls that empower, and the source of beauty that inspires.

BLACKFLAME@KUTZTOWN.EDU

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