Movement is Medicine

About Movement is Medicine

Movement is Medicine (MiM) is a college and community outreach-focused initiative developed by Professor Olufunmilola Abraham. MiM is designed to leverage culturally salient and meaningful modes of expression and movement to improve the health and well-being of communities. MiM provides people with community and space for safe cultural expression. In the CRoME Lab, we recognize that music and movement through dance are more than just sources of entertainment; they are also critical for the health and wellness of individuals and community health.

In the News
DanceBlue

The purpose of MiM is multifaceted and includes, but is not limited to:

Creating a space for people of diverse backgrounds to gather together to improve social connections through movement-inspired sessions such as afrobeat dance, yoga, and Zumba.
Utilizing peer support to improve brain, emotional, heart, physical, and mental health through movement sessions.
Supporting faculty, staff, and students to promote wellness, and prioritizing wellbeing in the workplace.

DanceBlue at UK

Since 2006, dancing to improve health has been a long-standing tradition at the University of Kentucky, exemplified through the Dance Blue Community Outreach program. As a student-run philanthropy at the University of Kentucky, DanceBlue raises funds and awareness year-round for the fight against pediatric cancer, while supporting patients and families affected by it. Funds raised by DanceBlue support the DanceBlue Hematology/Oncology Clinic at Kentucky Children’s Hospital. DanceBlue culminates in a 24-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon.

Dance is Medicine. Exercise is Medicine. Music is Medicine.

In September 2023, Professor Abraham created and launched the Gospel Afrobeat dance MEdicine (GAME) program in Wisconsin. GAME is a family-friendly bi-weekly program that utilizes afrobeat and afro gospel music to facilitate hour-long exercise and/or fitness dance sessions for kids and adults of all ages in community centers, churches, and schools.

In September 2025, Professor Abraham launched the new monthly initiative at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, “Wellness Fridays: Movement is Medicine.” Every month, faculty, staff, and students gather for an hour to connect, move, and support each other's fitness, health, and wellness goals.