The Background

At Pole Pressure, we believe that POLE HISTORY MATTERS and we’re committed to preserving and sharing it with intention.

We’re proud to introduce I Am Pole an interview series dedicated to spotlighting the pioneers and culture-shapers who laid the foundation for the pole community as we know it today. Hosted by studio owner Devon Williams, the series captures candid, necessary conversations with artists, advocates, and leaders whose contributions have helped expand access, challenge stigma, and redefine what’s possible in pole.

We launched the series at the start of Pride 2025 to honor the deep cultural roots of pole—especially its intersections with queerness, Black artistry, and resistance.

In this first video, we explore why pole history should be taught, shared, and celebrated. Too often, dancers enter this space unaware of the stories, movements, and people who made it possible. But pole didn’t start in a vacuum—its legacy is rich, complex, and deeply connected to survival, self-expression, and reclamation.

This series exists to uplift those stories, deepen our collective knowledge, and remind us that every spin, climb, and performance is part of a larger history.