Dance, connection and opportunity beyond sight.
Our History
We Can Dance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2022 by Dr. Samuel Vezenegho, known in the dance community as Samy Vez. After losing his sight in 2018, Samy experienced first-hand many of the barriers blind and visually impaired people can face, including social isolation, reduced access to physical activity and limited inclusive community spaces.
Six months after becoming blind, Samy returned to an active social-dance life and recognized how strongly dance supported his confidence, connection and wellbeing. In 2019, while at a rehabilitation center for the blind in Austin, Texas, he began teaching Kizomba to peers and taking them to community dance socials. Their response helped shape the idea that eventually became We Can Dance.
Today, We Can Dance is expanding its reach to San Francisco while continuing to serve communities in Dallas–Fort Worth and metro Atlanta, using accessible dance as a vehicle for wellbeing, social connection and opportunity.
Dr. Samuel Vezenegho (Samy Vez), Founder of We Can Dance.
Our Mission
We Can Dance’s mission is to enhance the wellbeing of blind and visually impaired individuals through accessible dance education, social connections, and economic empowerment.
Our Vision
A world where dance unlocks equity, inclusion, and opportunity for the blind and visually impaired.
Our Core Values
Diversity
Inclusion
Respect
Empathy
Care
Trust
How We Create Access
Traditional dance education often depends heavily on visual cues. We Can Dance uses multi-sensory instruction—including tactile, auditory, verbal and kinesthetic techniques—to enable blind, visually impaired and sighted people to learn and participate together.