KBCAN is comprised of activists, advocates, cultural workers, artists, visionaries, healthcare professionals, researchers and theologians. We are dedicated to actualizing a world where the ballroom community, and more importantly, the most marginalized are liberated through unapologetic radical love, self-mobilization, and transformative healing.
Martez Smith, Co-founder and Executive Director
Dr. Smith (he, him) co-founded the Keeping Ballroom Community Alive Network (KBCAN), in 2015 and became the Executive Director in 2020. Outside of his community work, Dr. Smith’s research addresses sexual health outcomes within the contexts of HIV prevention, treatment, and care among Black sexual and gender-diverse communities globally. He is particularly interested in social networks, with an emphasis on chosen families, and their impacts on HIV-related and sexual health outcomes for Black men in the House Ball Community. Overall, Dr. Smith prioritizes developing community-driven, asset-based interventions to improve health outcomes for historically marginalized communities.
Martez has also participated in the house/ballroom community since 2009, currently a member of the House of Xclusive-Lanvin in mainstream ballroom and a member of the House of Hua Mulan in Kiki ballroom.
Learn more about Martez’s scholarly work here: https://martezsmith.owlstown.net/
Denzell Felder
,
NYC Pride Fellowship Coordinator
Denzell Felder is a twenty-something kiki ballroom legend who has been working in the non-profit field for about a decade. From being a community member to a staff member at The Center, he is no stranger to “doing the work.”
The Hetrick Martin Institute has contributed to his photography growth, as he was an intern under the wing of Samantha Box. Denzell was able to later assist in commemorating the 40th-anniversary of the iconic community-based organization.
Now he is able to use his quick thinking and innovative ideas to influence KBCAN in the FABBEST way possible. This is one to look out for.
In his free time, Mr. Felder immerses himself in the creative arts, including dancing, drawing, and photography.
Cameo Balenciaga,
Communications and Community Development Coordinator
Cameo, a St. Louis, MO native and Howard University alum, is a Ballroom Legend renowned for 14 years of contributions to the ballroom scene alongside a successful digital marketing career. Cameo is celebrated for his mastery of BQ European Runway and his distinctive avant-garde, high fashion styled effects.