Where Them Fans At?!

The Rhythm of Resilience: How We Move Through Struggle

Brow furled.
Lips curled inward.
Concentration on 1000.

cue the music

Where them fans at?! flap When them fans at?! flap Where them fans at?! flap flap flap flap flap

Left-Right-Left-Left-Right-Left-Right-Right

I am determined to learn this dance! Why? Because…

The dance originated in SC, and I am a SC local.
The dance has taken TikTok by storm, so how can I not?!
Because when I attend my first trail ride, I’m gonna have at least one dance down. The rest of the time will be spent stomping, twirling, and impulsively popping my fan. Don’t judge me.
To prove my teenaged daughter wrong.
and because it brings me joy.

Front-Side-Back-Side-Cross-Step-Cross-Step…

Loud laughter, then, “Mom, why are you so stiff?!”

I shake my head, still trying to catch the beat, but her laughter is contagious. In this moment, nothing else matters—just the rhythm, the laughter, and the joy of moving together.

The world is unraveling. The President is working out his “zoomies” by firing everybody and shutting everything down, my Robinhood dashboard is redder than that slice of red velvet cake I regret eating last night, and I’m reconsidering my resort stay in Jamaica because planes are falling out of the sky.

Meanwhile, we’re remixing KDot’s halftime two-step as we walk to the kitchen to cook dinner.

And yet, this is bigger than a dance. This is what we do—turn movement into meaning, rhythm into resilience, and joy into something no one can take from us.

Unspeakable Joy

This has to be the joy my grandmother talked about—unspeakable joy.

I often tell my clients to find their joy. This often follows me asking what makes them happy. The difference between happiness and joy is that while happiness is fleeting and conditional, joy emanates from the soul. Joy lives on. Joy is resilient. Joy shows up in difficult times and when you least expect it. Joy is contagious.

And more than a feeling, joy is cultural.

The term “Black Joy” signifies a deliberate celebration of Black experiences and culture. It was coined by writer Kleaver Cruz in 2015 when he created The Black Joy Project.

Black Joy isn’t just a feeling—it’s resistance, celebration, and legacy wrapped in rhythm. It’s the audacity to find light in a world that often tries to dim it. It’s the laughter that erupts at the family cookout, the rhythm in a spontaneous line dance, the feeling of freedom in a perfectly executed two-step. It is a cultural inheritance, passed down from ancestors who found ways to sing through sorrow and dance through despair.

Right now, we’re seeing a beautiful example of Black joy taking over TikTok: the Boots on the Ground line dance. A synchronized, soulful, and electrifying movement that has Black folks across generations stepping in unison. It’s not just a trend; it’s a communal experience, a reminder that no matter the struggle, our bodies know how to move through it.

Joy is Contagious

Every time we dance, we affirm that we are still here. Every time we laugh, we reject the idea that our existence is only defined by struggle. Black joy is a revolution, a protest, and a love letter to our ancestors and our future. So, whether you're hitting the Boots on the Ground steps, cracking up over an inside joke, or simply taking a deep breath in peace, know this—your joy is sacred, your joy is necessary, and your joy is yours to keep.

The Legacy Continues

In a world that often requires us to be resilient, joy is an intentional act. It’s something we cultivate, not just something we wait to happen. Here are a few ways to tap into your own joy:

• Move Your Body – Whether it’s the Boots on the Ground dance, a Zumba class, or just dancing around your living room to Beyoncé, movement shifts energy. Let your body remind you that it was made for joy.

• Curate Your Space – Fill your home, your social media feeds, and your life with things that make you laugh, think, and feel good. Joy starts with what you allow in.

• Tap Into Community – Black joy is collective. Join a dance challenge, FaceTime your funniest friend, or pull up to an event where people who get you are gathered.

• Create Something – Sing, paint, cook, write—express yourself in ways that feel good. Joy often comes in the act of creation.

• Celebrate Small Wins – Every day won’t be a good day, but every day holds something worth smiling about. Find it, honor it, and let it carry you.

Your Turn

Joy is your birthright. Your ancestors claimed it, and so should you. So today, choose joy. Move, laugh, create—then tell me in the comments: What’s making you smile today?

And if you haven’t tried the Boots on the Ground dance yet… what are you waiting for?