Sherrie Silver

thumb|Artist Sherrie Silver (born 1994) is a Rwandan-born British choreographer, dancer, actress and philanthropist who choreographed the music video for Childish Gambino's 2018 song This Is America. The choreography won the 2018 MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography, and the video went on to win Best Music Video at the 2019 Grammy Awards. She is also the founder of the Sherrie Silver Foundation, and an Advocate for Rural Youth for the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a United Nations agency. Quotes When I met the twins, I fell in love straight away. Their mother hadn’t had an opportunity to name them and when their father asked me to name them I called them Precious and Sapphire Gihozo. I promised to look after them until they were 18 at least and they’ve actually started calling me mommy. Contributing to their upbringing has impacted me massively. I was looking after kids before but taking them from being babies has made me grow up even more and my heart has become bigger. They bring me a lot of joy. We want the youth in Africa to feel they don't need to leave their countries to realize their artistic dreams and entrepreneurial aspirations. https://kura.rw/my-life-is-an-example-of-what-a-girl-can-achieve-if-given-the-opportunity-sherrie-silver/ Sherrie Silver said, (The New Times Rwanda, August 21, 2023) Childish Gambino’s team reached out to me after seeing some of my dance videos online. They saw one particular move that they liked, Gwara Gwara from South Africa, which we did in the video and also on SNL. I came up with different steps, taught the school kids and the choir, and helped Donald [Glover, a.k.a. Childish Gambino] with his solos. How Choreographer Sherrie Silver made a masterpiece out of Donald Glover's "This Is America" Interview Magazine (May 8, 2018). For a while now, Gwara Gwara has been the dance that everyone wants to do and learn. It looks simple, but it’s actually difficult to do. I lived in South Africa for two months while filming a movie, so I became quite familiar with it. I also included the Shaku Shaku dance from Nigeria, the Alkayida from Ghana, the Azonto from Ghana, and other moves that don’t have names, as well. How Choreographer Sherrie Silver made a masterpiece out of Donald Glover's "This Is America" Interview Magazine (May 8, 2018). We did a lot of rehearsals to pull off the hologram, and we made sure to carry it out in the safest way possible. That was the climax of the performance, a joyful moment, before we calmed it down with the little princess at the end. How Choreographer Sherrie Silver made a masterpiece out of Donald Glover's "This Is America" Interview Magazine (May 8, 2018). Being a part of the number one trending video means a lot. I don’t just do this for fun. I really do it because I want to give back. I travel and teach African dance from all over the continent. I take the money I generate from teaching back to Rwanda, Uganda, and Nigeria to redevelop schools and help get homeless kids off the street. For me, it’s not just about dancing. It’s the actual outcome that matters most. How Choreographer Sherrie Silver made a masterpiece out of Donald Glover's "This Is America" Interview Magazine (May 8, 2018). I work with children in a few ways. I have a home for homeless children in Rwanda, and there’s a few children I look after and send to school. I’m used to playing a mothering role, so when it comes to working with children, I still have that motherly feeling. I know how to speak to them and how to encourage them. Instead of just teaching them a move, I’ll take them back to where it comes from and what it means, you know? I make it entertaining and interesting. All the kids in the video left with so much insight into the culture; they can’t stop dancing in this new style that they’d never tried before. 'This Is America' Choreographer Sherrie Silver: Artists Shouldn't Shy Away From Violence Glamour (May 9, 2018). They came to me because they liked my style, but there was also a move that they saw that’s trending. It’s called the Gwara Gwara [from South Africa]. They wanted me to include that move. 'This Is America' Choreographer Sherrie Silver: Artists Shouldn't Shy Away From Violence Glamour (May 9, 2018). As an artist, it’s important not to ignore what’s going on around the world. Fairytales are good, but if you look around, what do you see? It’s hard. I mean, I understand when people say [artists should] try not to have violence in their videos, but violence exists. I think it’s just important how you address it. I don’t necessarily agree that artists should shy away from the fact there’s violence. 'This Is America' Choreographer Sherrie Silver: Artists Shouldn't Shy Away From Violence Glamour (May 9, 2018). One thing I can say is that the most important thing was safety first and making sure the interest of the children and their parents were met. We had several safety briefs, and I made sure I rebriefed them to understand everything that’s going on. That was a very important aspect—them understanding what’s going on. Everyone watches TV, so I’m sure this is not the first time these kids had seen anything violent. Violence is happening in their reality every day. At least they know, with this video, nobody died. 'This Is America' Choreographer Sherrie Silver: Artists Shouldn't Shy Away From Violence Glamour (May 9, 2018). I think whether you’re a dance choreographer, a writer, a singer, or anyone who has that stage, it’s definitely good to engage things in a political way, but also in a creative way. For me, I was just trying to show that the kids are the light in all the darkness around them. So that was done in a very subtle way of having these happy, amazing children dancing and enjoying their lives and not paying attention to everything going on around them. I think subtlety is always the best way, instead of us standing there with a big sign in the background that says, "Hey, don’t worry!" You know what I mean? Sometimes you can just dance and smile and still relay the message without having to do it in an obvious way. 'This Is America' Choreographer Sherrie Silver: Artists Shouldn't Shy Away From Violence Glamour (May 9, 2018). we want African youths not to have to feel that they need to leave their countries to find greener pastures elsewhere to make their artistic and entrepreneurial dreams come true. Rwanda Choreographer Sherrie Silver Wants African Girls to Dream Big TIME ( November 17, 2023). My life is an example of what can be achieved when a young Rwandan girl is given an opportunity to express herself and chase her passions. Rwanda Choreographer Sherrie Silver Wants African Girls to Dream Big TIME ( November 17, 2023). I am inviting you to come together and stand on the right side of history by investing more in young rural people, and the communities where they live. Rwandan choreographer Sherrie Silver named IFAD Advocate for Rural Youth International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) (February 14, 2019) Imagine what would happen if governments and donors around the world spent as much on agriculture and rural people as they do on humanitarian aid,There would be food security. There would be social stability. There would be less damage to the environment. There would be hope for our future. Rwandan choreographer Sherrie Silver named IFAD Advocate for Rural Youth International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) (February 14, 2019) Youth unemployment will be the defining challenge of this era alongside climate change, and I am committed to helping the UN as an IFAD Advocate for Rural Youth to do everything I can to provide a better future for young people everywhere, They need jobs and opportunities in agriculture to help feed a growing population while also building a safe and prosperous future right where they live. the only way we are going to solve complex challenges like ending extreme poverty, hunger and forced migration is by calling on governments to invest in a different way of going about development. Young people want to build a better world, but they can’t do it alone. Rwandan choreographer Sherrie Silver named IFAD Advocate for Rural Youth International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) (February 14, 2019) My mom would always reassure me that I’m beautiful, so I decided, growing up, that I was going to stand firm in who I truly am. A Piece Of My Mind: Choreographer And Viral Dance Visionary Sherrie Silver Success seems like it’s overnight but, obviously, it’s really years of work. A Piece Of My Mind: Choreographer And Viral Dance Visionary Sherrie Silver The gala is basically about having dinner with me and my friends* But beyond the glamour and the performances, it’s about showing these kids that they’re worth something and that they are the future leaders. Many of them have come from backgrounds where they had never even entered a car. On the day of the gala, they’ll arrive in a VW convoy as true VIPs because they are. They’re performing alongside some of Rwanda’s biggest stars, and every artiste has worked so hard to make this a magical evening* For us, it’s not about making money it’s about supporting the foundation and the community. The Silver Gala returns, promises bigger experience. newtimes.co.rw (20 Sept 2026) I wanted to create this kind of space – having the opportunity to attend a theatre school called Stage Coach in London, as well as a performing arts academy. From vulnerability to visibility: The children thriving at the Sherrie Silver FoundationNews Times(June 18, 2025) A place where dance and music aren’t just hobbies, but real career path. From vulnerability to visibility: The children thriving at the Sherrie Silver FoundationNews Times(June 18, 2025) Some walk two or three hours just to get here. From vulnerability to visibility: The children thriving at the Sherrie Silver FoundationNews Times(June 18, 2025) We don’t have a bus yet, and most of the funding has come from our own pockets. From vulnerability to visibility: The children thriving at the Sherrie Silver FoundationNews Times(June 18, 2025) Dance is a career. Music is a real career. From vulnerability to visibility: The children thriving at the Sherrie Silver FoundationNews Times(June 18, 2025 We want the government and others to see that this work truly matters. From vulnerability to visibility: The children thriving at the Sherrie Silver FoundationNews Times(June 18, 2025) Healing requires time, empathy, and consistent care From vulnerability to visibility: The children thriving at the Sherrie Silver FoundationNews Times(June 18, 2025) One of the most essential, and difficult – parts of our mission is helping children learn to love and value themselve From vulnerability to visibility: The children thriving at the Sherrie Silver FoundationNews Times(June 18, 2025) The progress we see makes every effort worthwhile From vulnerability to visibility: The children thriving at the Sherrie Silver FoundationNews Times(June 18, 2025) We achieved what we envisioned for the first year from quality of the rooms to the decorations, the fashion people tried. The Silver Gala returns, promises bigger experienceNewsTimes(October 12, 2025) It was nice to see that and of course, there are things to improve because many people didn’t even know what a gala was, but we succeeded in telling our story and highlighting the foundation. The Silver Gala returns, promises bigger experienceNewsTimes(October 12, 2025) The entertainment this year is very special. We’ve already started rehearsing. The Silver Gala returns, promises bigger experienceNewsTimes(October 12, 2025) It’s still a gala where everyone will have dinner and sit at a table, but the experience will be much grander. The Silver Gala returns, promises bigger experienceNewsTimes(October 12, 2025) The gala is basically about having dinner with me and my friends. Sherrie Silver’s Silver Gala 2025 to empower Rwandan youth through the artsnews Times( October 28, 2025) She explained that beyond the event itself, it was about showing children that they have value and can become future leaders. Sherrie Silver’s Silver Gala 2025 to empower Rwandan youth through the artsnews Times( October 28, 2025) We chose only a few children so that we can invest more effort in them and, by God’s grace, see lasting changes in their lives, and put them in a position to lift themselves out of poverty. Sherrie Silver signed agreements with some of the children she supports.Moreabout Media(August 27, 2025) I think he is our father. When I meet him, it feels like meeting my father” — Sherrie Silver on President Kagame.Umuryango(Oct 28,2025). like meeting my father. When I meet him, it feels like meeting my father” — Sherrie Silver on President Kagame.Umuryango(Oct 28,2025). A good father to our country. When I meet him, it feels like meeting my father” — Sherrie Silver on President Kagame.Umuryango(Oct 28,2025). A good father to the youth. When I meet him, it feels like meeting my father” — Sherrie Silver on President Kagame.Umuryango(Oct 28,2025). opened many doors for me. When I meet him, it feels like meeting my father” — Sherrie Silver on President Kagame.Umuryango(Oct 28,2025). When I think about my journey, dance changed my life in so many ways. Inside Sherrie Silver’s Mission to Turn Rwanda’s Young Dancers Into Global PerformersGlobal Citizen(Aug 17, 2026). I'm able to put food on the table because of dance. I've been able to support thousands of young people around Africa because of dance. Inside Sherrie Silver’s Mission to Turn Rwanda’s Young Dancers Into Global PerformersGlobal Citizen(Aug 17, 2026). For me, dance is not just something I do for fun. It's my career, and it's my purpose. Inside Sherrie Silver’s Mission to Turn Rwanda’s Young Dancers Into Global PerformersGlobal Citizen(Aug 17, 2026). I realized that dance could be something bigger than just a hobby when I got my first payment, which was £20. Inside Sherrie Silver’s Mission to Turn Rwanda’s Young Dancers Into Global PerformersGlobal Citizen(Aug 17, 2026). I was inspired to start the Sherrie Silver Foundation because I wanted to invest in young dancers, singers, and talents in Rwanda. Inside Sherrie Silver’s Mission to Turn Rwanda’s Young Dancers Into Global PerformersGlobal Citizen(Aug 17, 2026). You're always told you have to be a doctor, you have to be a teacher. Dance is just something you do for fun. Inside Sherrie Silver’s Mission to Turn Rwanda’s Young Dancers Into Global PerformersGlobal Citizen(Aug 17, 2026). I realized that young people in Rwanda needed somebody to inspire them. Inside Sherrie Silver’s Mission to Turn Rwanda’s Young Dancers Into Global PerformersGlobal Citizen(Aug 17, 2026). We don’t have the right spaces. Inside Sherrie Silver’s Mission to Turn Rwanda’s Young Dancers Into Global PerformersGlobal Citizen(Aug 17, 2026). Young people needed someone to believe in them and connect them to the industry. Inside Sherrie Silver’s Mission to Turn Rwanda’s Young Dancers Into Global PerformersGlobal Citizen(Aug 17, 2026). We’ve seen so many opportunities come for these kids. Inside Sherrie Silver’s Mission to Turn Rwanda’s Young Dancers Into Global PerformersGlobal Citizen(Aug 17, 2026). We’ve seen lives change not just in terms of their career, but also their personal development and livelihood. Inside Sherrie Silver’s Mission to Turn Rwanda’s Young Dancers Into Global PerformersGlobal Citizen(Aug 17, 2026). Proud to have directed and provided the dancers for Rema’s Rwanda performance. Shout out to the Sherrie Silver Foundation adult dancers. Get ready for the boys. Sherrie Silver reflects on leading Rema’s dancers during Kigali concertInyaRwanda(September 06,2026) I think that malaria is just not something that people should have to die from in this day and age. Sherrie Silver is on a global mission to end malaria. Drawtheline Zeromalaria (September 27,2026) This campaign is a chance for us to really change things. I think that malaria is just not something that people should have to die from in this day and age. So if I can be part of a campaign that prevents it, I’m here.. Drawtheline Zeromalaria (September 27,2026) A world with no malaria for me would just be the most incredible thing. Sherrie Silver is on a global mission to end malaria. Drawtheline Zeromalaria (September 27,2026) If I can be part of a campaign that prevents it, I’m here. Sherrie Silver is on a global mission to end malaria. Drawtheline Zeromalaria (September 27,2026) Someone once told me that if I wanted to find a husband, I should spend less time in Rwanda because Rwandan men avoid me or are afraid of me. “When I see a handsome young man, I immediately walk away” — Sherrie Silver responds to a question about marriage.InyaRwanda(September 08,2026) Dance is everything to us. Dance is everything to us. Yumpu (September 27,2026) It’s a charity event aimed at supporting vulnerable children. Runtown, Fred Swaniker to Light Up Sherrie Silver’s Gala. KtPress Rwanda (September 27,2026) External links Category:Women from Rwanda Category:Choreographers Category:Living people