[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 12, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E409]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING EYESHINE CREATIVE ARTS COMPANY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 12, 2016

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkable minority business, EyeShine Creative Arts Company of 
Clinton, Mississippi and the great leadership it is under.
  EyeShine Creative Arts Company is a locally owned and operated 
Christian faith-based dance company and ministry that provide quality 
education and training for multiple dance disciplines. ECAC serves as a 
conduit to stage productions, TV commercials, dance competitions, and 
other events that allow dancers to showcase their God-given talents. 
EyeShine offers workshops, after school programs, Spring and Summer 
camps, and fitness focus classes-''Fit to Dance'', that broaden the 
creative experiences of dancers while developing levels of competence 
and confidence. The goal is not only to provide quality dance 
education, but also to educate, empower, and inspire the minds of 
students in a Christian environment.
  Shawuanna, the founder of EyeShine Creative Arts Company, started her 
dance journey at the age of 4 years old. By age 6, she was performing 
with the ``Eye of the Tiger'' dance company founded and produced by 
Beverly Branson and her sister, a stage and television actress, Dr. 
Tonea Stewart. Shawuanna began performing in stage productions by the 
age of 7. In 1985, she was selected for the Academic and Performing 
Arts Complex (APAC) program, where she studied ballet, modem, and jazz 
at Ballet Mississippi. After experiencing traumatic situations as a 
teenager, Shawuanna turned to dance as a creative outlet and spiritual 
solace. She decided to focus on becoming a more diversified dance 
artist, expanding her studies from acrobatic creative dance, to more 
contemporary dance styles, such as: jazz, hip hop, Middle Eastern, and 
inspirational.
  In 2004, Shawuanna relocated to Atlanta, Georgia and began working 
within the burgeoning entertainment industry, working with various, 
well-known R&B and Hip Hop artists throughout the metro Atlanta area. 
It was in Atlanta where she began to hone her craft as a choreographer 
and develop essential relationships and knowledge of the dance & 
entertainment industry. Inspired by FAITH and always the artist and 
educator at heart, in 2010, Shawuanna founded Eyeshine Creative Arts 
Company.
  Today, in addition to operating EyeShine Creative Arts Company and 
non-profit organization, EyeShine Inc., Shawuanna, choreographs and 
ministers with the National Baptist Convention, Inc. USA dance 
ministry, ministers to General Missionary Baptist State Convention of 
Mississippi, instructs dance for Fairview Learning Academy, Agape' 
Phaze II Academy, Girl Scouts of Greater MS. She also choreographs and 
ministers for church home, Grace Inspirations, various community 
events, and conferences locally and throughout the southeastern region.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing EyeShine 
Creative Arts Company for its dedication to serving our great state of 
Mississippi and our country.

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