Originally from Charlotte, NC, SJ Swilley (they|them|theirs) is a  movement artist, educator and storyteller. Centering their own notions of liberation, empowerment while reckoning with their mental health, they are a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Johnson C. Smith University where they received a BA in Dance and a BA in Communication Arts. Combining movement, text, and performance, Swilley holds an MFA in Dance from Temple University where they initially began academic teaching. Swilley is an alum of the American Dance Festival where they served in practice with artists Sherone Price, and Leah Cox. Additionally, they are an alum of the Urban Bush Women’s Summer Leadership Institute. In 2023, they became a city of Chicago (DCASE) IAP Grant Awardee. In 2024, they completed a solo show and production residency sponsored in part by the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago and Chicago DanceMakers Forum. They are now a 2025-2026 Kuumba Academy Fellow in Charlotte