United Power of Praise Dance Ministry actually came through a prophecy 5 years ago, My mother (Joatella Thompson) prophesied to me plenty of times saying "Shan you should start your own dance ministry." Many of times I kept putting to the side because either I was apart of a different Dance Ministry or I just didn't feel like I had the power to do it. One day I was sitting at my Sister in Christ Qwana Gooden house and I jumped and said I have to start this Dance Ministry like NOW! Qwana Gooden begins to ask me "What would you name it?", "What age would you start at?", "What will be your colors?” She actually had me thinking a lot, but I loved her Joy about the ministry. I started to think really hard about the name I didn't want anything similar to anyone else so I prayed and prayed then I heard power of unity, I said hmmm... No that's not it but close. I need something with power but as unity can bring it together. Qwana Gooden called Kala Teague and he helped us out going back and forth having fun with names it was so exciting just having friends that was just excited as I was, then Kala said, United Power of Praise I said Yes! Yes! Yes! That’s the one! I was just too happy like I knew what it was but couldn't get it out and he took the words right out my mouth! I already had the colors which was Red, White, and Gold. I knew those colors had power to them, so I began to start getting my launch date together. My launch date was thought of June 22, 2013 at Arbor Glen Rec Center. I had several of kids come out to see what they would be doing and was very excited! I didn't have a logo so I started to think of one but I couldn't make one so one of my Sisters in Christ Cameka Rankin helped me get a Logo, I felt so happy and loved with my friends being just as happy as I was. She got it and showed me and I loved it! Then, I started our first Rehearsal July 6, 2013 at my apartment in Arbor Glen Apartments starting out with so many children that I could barely fit anymore in my house. My mother (Joatella Thompson) called one evening Shan you have a building Southside Rent Office gave you their rent office space with NO CHARGE I began to Praise God in every way I could. I thank him daily for my blessing, my heart, my dream, my vision, and my mission and purpose is to reach out to youth in various bodies of Christ and inspire to have an outlet through dance that they can come develop, advance, be transformed and touch other people's spirits through Praise and Dance!