The Movement Factory and Shy One want you on your feet

Set in the heart of Peckham is The Movement Factory: an award-winning dance troupe on a mission to get the community up on their feet in a safe and inclusive environment.

Having first formulated her footwork crew in 2001 at the age of 15-years-old, director Leanne Pero (now aged 34) was on a mission to make a positive impact within her community. Pero’s motive is as clear today as it was back then: ​“Dance doesn’t judge, it has no rules, it’s self-expressive and very inclusive – it doesn’t exclude people and we need more things like that,” says Pero. ​“From the very get-go, that has been our ethos.”

Pero’s personal fire and determination is what inspires London’s youths to embrace the power of movement as a release from the daily struggles of life.

One of Pero’s homegrown talents is 18-year-old dance coordinator and Women By Nike ambassador Asa Mohammed: ​“When I first came into it, I saw there was a place to enjoy yourself and actually let loose and dance!” she says. ​“There’s so much negativity that’s going around in this world – just having that element of positivity within yourself, you’ll get very far.”

Here Mohammed stars in a different kind of dance film directed by Somayeh Jafari and soundtracked by South London producer Shy One. Press play to see her move for yourself.