Meet Pablo Malco | Choreographer / Playwright / Executive Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Pablo Malco and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pablo, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
For some reason, I realized at an early age that, no one was ever going to give me the respect I deserved, If I was to ever be an employee of a promising company. As a person who loves inner peace and tranquillity, it was pretty evident that if I ever had a chance at maintaining my inner peace, and have the potential to grow financially, it would have to be by working for myself. I worked several odd jobs, prior to coming to this realization, but I knew none of those jobs were where I wanted to be for ever. Then I landed a decent job that had room to grow and stay for multiple years, but the environment was so dark and always so tense, that I realized, I needed to move on. Dance, writing and music just always called me and provided a way for me to be able to provide for myself.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Developing Dreams Foundation (DDF) is a not for profit organization, that enhances lives, by providing youth an opportunity to explore various career options in the arts through after-school and summer programs. DDF is also a platform for aspiring and professional artists to develop their skills, through live professional performance opportunities.

This organization was started, because as a professional dancer who escaped, gang violence, prison time and a fair chance at a life above the poverty line, I saw the need to intervene in the lives of under-served and often neglected communities.

It wasn’t easy and still isn’t easy, but I kept my head down and continued to pursue the mission of no child left behind academically, economically and cognitively. I have had some great people step in to help me, and I have had people who were encouraged by the work I was doing and offered some assistance, funding and support.

Some of the tough lessons I learned is that not every supporter has your best interest in mind, and not every dollar available is a genuine act of kindness but also a cushion for a favor that is about to be expected.
I have learned to maintain an honest, clean and transparent organization, we would have to distance ourselves from certain type of funders. We have been offered funding and then asked to do things that didn’t line with our mission or to do personal favors for middlemen who assisted in getting us funding. At times these favors were detrimental to my personal life, the name of the organization and all those who relied on us to provide for their families in one way or the other. I am aware this is how many organization are run and thrive, but I need to feel good about the work that I am doing in the community everyday, and this means staying true to the initial goal of being an 100% honest organization.

If there was one thing I would want the world to know about DDF is that, we are truly committed and dedicated to improving the lives of youth by providing a sense of self, self-esteem, purpose and passion. DDF is a self sufficient organization, and covers it’s overhead through contracted work, special events and ticket sales. All of our efforts of fundraising for F.A.M.E. After-school programs are specifically and directly used for high quality art programming and favorable wages for our instructors / performers.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting me, and I wanted them to have a great time I would keep them far away from the crowd. Where there are crowds, there followers, where they are followers there people who refuse to think for themselves. Where there are people who refuse to this for themselves, you will find people who do not hold themselves accountable, that lack integrity and feel lonely without external validation or constant noise / some form of turmoil.

So if a person was my best friend they would probably value self peace, as much as I do, so we would visit various beaches around South Florida, we would patronize various cultural restaurants in the Broward & Miami Dade area.

We would visit places that gave us a taste of different cultures, how they eat, how they live, and the art that they create traditionally and non-traditionally.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Well as always the Almighty God is first on the list when I give thank you, but there are several other people who come to mind also. My brother Romany Malco was a key player in me not becoming a statistic, I would have never been able to navigate those streets alone without getting caught up if it wasn’t for him. My mother is a praying woman and I believe that has been a huge part of my Blessings. My dad was a rare man, who was an amazing person that made others comfortable while enduring pain and trauma. Athena Cameron stood by me through thick and thin and kept me focused on the goal. My step mother Ruby, made our house a home and supported me emotionally. A large shout out goes to my dear friend Quame who has always supported me and believed in me. Daniel Yeboah & Sam Yeboah were the backbone to putting my dreams in to motion. Ryan Boggs for always being there for me and believing in me and always reminding me, that he did believe in me. David Walters for helping me identify my gift and always supporting my choices. Gary Grant for always helping to keep me mentally fit and holding me accountable. My good friend Ken Benjamin and Sharon Sampson for their love and support. Shontal Fakrutdinova & Marsel Fakrutdinov for their on going support. Jodi Bergman for her friendship and on going support.

Then there are those who made me feel like I was capable and gave me a place to develop my craft and understanding thereof: Laura Burnett, Gilda, Tony Lardge, Lorraine Aubin, Christie Starks, Moses Afayni, Dance Esias, Chris, Ms. Mahoney (college dance professor), Jim Shermer, Adraine Clark, & the entire team at the Broward Cultural Division.

Most importantly, my wife Claudia, has been the biggest support system I have ever known, her patience with me, her understanding of what I do and her encouragement is unparalleled.

Website: www.PabloMalco.com

Instagram: instagram.com/pablomalcodotcom

Facebook: Facebook.com/pablomalcopage

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PabloMalcoofficial

Image Credits
Photo of Pablo dancing (shirtless) Susan Stocker (sun sentinel)