Florence Walker-Harris, better known as Mz.Flo, is an entrepreneur that encourages, motivates, and inspires artists through two main organizations: FloFiyah LLC and the nonprofit organization F.E.E.D, which stands for “Fiyah. Edifying. Empowering. Developing.” A descendant of Haiti by way of Queens, New York, Mz. Flo has been taking the Chicago arts scene by storm for the last twenty-five years. She holds a B.S. in Sociology from the State University College at Oneonta in New York and a Master’s Degree in Human Service Administration of Program Development from National Louis University. She has been a professor for nine years at Chicago State University and is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., the Chicago Alumnae Chapter. With her extensive training in Ballet, Horton, Jazz, traditional Haitian Folklore, Tap, and Hip Hop.
Mz. Flo has worked as the Artistic Director of Studio One Dance Theatre (15 years); choreographer with Dance with Me Productions (18 years), and with the Chicago Park District (10 years). In 2015 and 2016, she taught at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan and was a Master Class instructor for Black Dance College Exchange. She was a featured choreographer in Deeply Rooted Dance Theater’s 2013 Emerging Choreographers Showcase and has since choreographed “More Than A Miracle: The Nativity Story,”; “Magic Tree House: A Magical Night in New Orleans;” “The Scottsboro Boys;” and “Women of the Year.” Mz. Flo debuted as co-director/choreographer of the iconic “Sophisticated Ladies'' during her third season at PorchLight Music Theater, and in July 2021 she choreographed “The Color Purple '' at Maine State Music Theater, in Brunswick, Maine, followed by “The Wiz” as Associate Director and Choreographer at the Fulton Theater, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Mz. Flo most recently served as Choreographer for the renowned “5 Guys Named Moe” at Chicago’s Beverly Arts Center, and served as Assistant Director on the production of “Marie and Rosetta” at Northlight Theater in Skokie IL. Through her current positions as the Hip Hop Instructor at ChiArts High School and the Dance Director for Francis W. Parker Performing Arts Department.
Mz. Flo continues to work as a multi-ethnic interdisciplinary artistic change agent; promoting collaborative and transformational leadership and pushing the boundaries of art beyond the dance floor.
