Dancing with the Chair: Reclaiming Space Through Authentic Expression

It was 2002, and the clean version of What’s Luv? played over crackling speakers at my middle school dance. The gym pulsed with anticipation—dim lights, a disco ball scattering flickering beams, a row of metal folding chairs hugging the walls.

Oli stood apart. He was an 8th grader with signature red Converse and matching zipper earrings, someone who had taken our ragtag group of baby gays and recess-avoidant geeks under his wing. Our bond was built on the quiet understanding that safety was something you created for each other, not something given freely.

As the night wound down, Oli asked for one dance. Just one. He didn’t say why, but it was clear it mattered. Maybe he wanted to claim a moment of belonging, maybe to prove something to himself.

I wanted to say yes. But the fear of looking foolish—of being seen—kept me stuck in place. My friends hesitated too. Oli’s eyes searched ours, waiting. No one moved.

Then, with a small shrug, he did something remarkable. He picked up a folding chair and danced with it. Twirling, dipping, swaying—completely unbothered by the ripples of laughter around him. The crowd watched, but Oli wasn’t performing for them. He was claiming joy on his own terms.

That night, I learned that real belonging isn’t about fitting in—it’s about showing up as yourself, even when the world refuses to make space for you.

Creating Space When Systems Won’t

For leaders and organizations rooted in social justice, this lesson is all too familiar. Institutions were not designed with you in mind. Decision-making tables often expect you to conform, soften your message, or justify your seat. But the most powerful movements aren’t built on permission. They’re built on people who, like Oli, refuse to wait for approval to take up space.

At Galvan Consulting, we understand that reclaiming space isn’t just about presence—it’s about creating systems that allow mission-driven leaders to operate with autonomy, sustainability, and care. The weight of administration, logistics, and operations should never be what holds you back from leading boldly.

Leading with Authenticity and Support

Oli could have stood frozen in that moment, waiting for validation. Instead, he danced. And in doing so, he redefined what belonging looked like—not by seeking approval, but by embodying it.

What if your organization operated the same way? What if you moved with confidence, knowing that the structural pieces—your workflows, your systems, your administrative processes—were handled with the same level of care you bring to your mission? What if your energy could be spent leading, not navigating red tape?

That’s where we come in. Galvan Consulting doesn’t just support the work you do—we create infrastructure that ensures you can do it on your terms. Because real change doesn’t happen when you wait for permission. It happens when you decide to take up space.

So, when the world tells you to shrink, to wait, to conform—remember Oli. And then? Pick up the chair and dance.