Founded in 2009 in St Petersburg Florida by Gwenetta Martin, Kali Kali Dance Company is a premier performing arts organization dedicated to cultivating excellence in dance and character development. Under the banner of KALI KALI — Keeping the Audience Live & Inspired — the company began as an all-girls team and quickly evolved into a coed collective of passionate, disciplined dancers.

Kali Kali offers training in a wide range of genres, including hip hop, jazz, ballet, modern, contemporary, cultural, Majorette, African, liturgical, and more. The company’s mission is to Educate, Develop, and Grow Entertainers while manifesting integrity through everyday life. 

Over the years, Kali Kali has become a vibrant force in the community through its involvement in national dance competitions, community service projects, showcases, productions, workshops, mentoring initiatives, and volunteer work. Notably, the company holds two championship titles from BET’s 106 & Park Wild Out Wednesday, a testament to its artistry and commitment.

Artistic Director Marquis Floyd, a former company member and dedicated alumni, played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s creative vision and growth. His partnership with Gwenetta Martin formed a dynamic leadership team devoted to empowering youth through the arts. Marquis’s legacy continues to live on through every dancer, rehearsal, and performance following his passing on March 23, 2025.

At its core, Kali Kali Dance Company is more than a dance program — it’s a movement, a mentorship platform, family and a community where young performers are nurtured into confident, purpose-driven individuals.