Shawndele, a Harlem native, became a company member with Forces of Nature Dance Theatre in 2015. Prior to FONDT she was a company member with Bokandeye African American Dance Theatre for more than 10 years. Shawndele attended Harlem School of the Arts and Ruth Williams Dance Studio where she received formal training in West African, Contemporary, Ballet, Tap, and Modern Jazz. Her dance background also extends to Hip Hop/Street Jazz and Dancehall which offered her the opportunity to dance at the VMAs at Madison Square Garden in 2016. She has performed on several stages throughout her dance career such as Aaron Davis Hall, Apollo Theatre, Lincoln Center, Victoria Theatre, and Brooklyn Academy of Music. Under the direction of Abdel Salaam, Shawndele seeks to continue flourishing as a performer and nourishing her passion for dance with Forces of Nature Dance Theatre.