Founder Genene Stewart became Moving in the Spirit’s very first volunteer in 1986. During the organization’s formative years, she served as chief operations officer, administrator, program director, choreographer, and influential teacher, reaching hundreds of children in area schools, churches, and community centers. In the 1990’s, Genene directed Moving in the Spirit’s Stepping Stones program and founded the Junior Company while simultaneously managing a career in accounting and administration in the corporate
sector. Genene was an accounting major at Georgia State University and has over forty years of experience in executive management and modern dance studies.

In 2007, she returned full-time to Moving in the Spirit, where her former students are now working with her as colleagues. Genene has been instrumental in securing the company’s long-term sustainability. Through Genene’s leadership and management, Moving in the Spirit received the 2011 Managing for Excellence Award from the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. She has also served as a business consultant to Donnie Wellz Designs, Orangemoon Management, and Grio’s Fire Theatre Ensemble.

Artistically, she has participated in various workshops with the Alvin Ailey Company and Urban Bush Women of New York; Barbara Sullivan’s Atlanta Dance Theatre; Spelman College; and collaborations with The Renaissance Project and The Arthur Mitchell Dance Company. Genene has also created choreography that was performed by various artists of The Cathedral Academy, DeKalb Show Choir and the 1996 Olympic Celebration in Atlanta, Georgia.