Inclusion becomes powerful when it moves from an idea into everyday action. For Lauren Morris, Founder and Executive Director of MOVE Inclusive Dance, that action takes shape through dance, community, and the belief that people with disabilities deserve meaningful opportunities to participate, grow, and be seen.
Lauren appeared on On A Mission with Grace Hooks on July 8, 2026, to share more about her work with MOVE Inclusive Dance and the leadership lessons that continue to guide her journey.
About MOVE Inclusive Dance
MOVE Inclusive Dance is a nonprofit dance program designed for people with disabilities. Based in the greater Nashville, Tennessee area, MOVE Inclusive Dance operates two studio locations and also offers an online program that reaches dancers across the United States.
At its core, the organization reflects a simple but important idea: dance can be a space where more people belong. By focusing on inclusive dance, MOVE Inclusive Dance helps create access to movement, expression, and community for dancers who may not always find programs built around their needs.
Meet Lauren Morris
Lauren Morris serves as the Founder and Executive Director of MOVE Inclusive Dance. Her work sits at the intersection of nonprofit leadership, disability inclusion, and the arts.
As a leader, Lauren brings a mission-driven perspective to her organization. When asked about one of the most important lessons she has learned over her career, she shared: “You have to just start. Ready is not a feeling; it is a decision. Take the jump or spend the rest of your life wondering what if.“
That mindset is especially valuable for entrepreneurs, nonprofit founders, and community leaders who feel called to build something meaningful but are waiting for the perfect moment. Lauren’s perspective offers a practical reminder that progress often begins with a decision to move forward.
Why Inclusive Dance Matters
Inclusive dance is about more than choreography. It is about participation, dignity, creativity, and connection. For people with disabilities, access to dance programming can provide a welcoming environment where movement is adapted, individuality is respected, and community is built.
MOVE Inclusive Dance helps bring that vision to life through in-person studio opportunities in the Nashville area and online programming for dancers across the country. This combination of local presence and broader reach reflects a thoughtful approach to serving a diverse community.
Creating Access Through Local and Online Programs
With two studio locations in the greater Nashville area, MOVE Inclusive Dance provides local opportunities for dancers to engage in a supportive setting. Its online program extends that reach, making inclusive dance available to participants beyond Tennessee.
For families, caregivers, and individuals seeking disability-inclusive activities, this approach can make a meaningful difference. Access is not only about having a program available; it is also about making participation more possible for people with different needs, locations, and circumstances.
Leadership Lessons from a Mission-Driven Founder
Lauren’s work offers valuable takeaways for anyone building a purpose-led organization, whether in the nonprofit sector, the arts, education, or community service.
1. Start Before You Feel Fully Ready
One of the clearest lessons from Lauren’s career perspective is that readiness is a decision. Leaders often wait for ideal timing, complete clarity, or total confidence. But meaningful work frequently begins when someone chooses to act despite uncertainty.
For aspiring founders and community builders, this is a practical reminder to start with the resources, knowledge, and conviction you have now, then keep learning along the way.
2. Let Your Mission Guide Your Growth
MOVE Inclusive Dance is centered on serving people with disabilities. That focus gives the organization a clear sense of purpose and helps define who it serves, what it offers, and why the work matters.
For any organization, a clear mission can help guide decisions, protect priorities, and keep the work grounded in real community needs.
3. Build Community Through Service
Lauren shared that her favorite way to get involved in the community is through her own work at MOVE Inclusive Dance. She also expressed a heart for nonprofits that serve the disability and homeless communities.
This reflects an important principle for leaders: community involvement does not always have to be separate from professional work. When a mission is deeply aligned with service, the work itself becomes a meaningful way to contribute.
4. Lead With People in Mind
When asked how she would like to be remembered, Lauren said she hopes to be remembered as a good mom, friend, and leader. That answer points to a people-centered view of success, one that values relationships alongside responsibility.
For leaders in any field, this is a helpful reminder that impact isn’t measured only by programs or growth. It also shows up in how people are treated, supported, and encouraged along the way.
Practical Takeaways for Families and Community Leaders
If you are looking for inclusive opportunities, building a nonprofit, or seeking ways to serve people with disabilities better, Lauren’s work with MOVE Inclusive Dance offers several practical insights.
For Families and Dancers
Look for programs that are intentionally designed for inclusion, not simply adapted as an afterthought. A strong inclusive program should make participants feel welcomed, respected, and able to engage in a way that fits their abilities.
For Nonprofit Leaders
Clarity of mission matters. When your organization knows exactly who it serves and why, it becomes easier to make decisions that align with your purpose.
For Community Members
Supporting disability-focused nonprofits can begin with awareness. Learning about local organizations, sharing their work, and engaging with their mission can help strengthen the community around them.
A Nashville Nonprofit Expanding the Reach of Inclusive Dance
MOVE Inclusive Dance represents the kind of mission-driven work that helps communities become more welcoming. From its Nashville-area studio locations to its online program for dancers across the United States, the organization is helping make inclusive dance more accessible to people with disabilities.
Lauren Morris’s leadership reflects courage, service, and a willingness to start before everything feels perfect. Her story reminds us that meaningful change often begins with one decision to take the next step.
Conclusion
Lauren Morris and MOVE Inclusive Dance show how purpose, creativity, and inclusion can come together to serve a community in a powerful way. Through dance programming designed for people with disabilities, MOVE Inclusive Dance is helping create opportunities for expression, connection, and belonging.
To learn more about MOVE Inclusive Dance and its inclusive dance programs, visit https://moveinclusivedance.com.
