I met Michael "Big Mike" Ballard four years ago when Grassroots DC moved into the Potomac Gardens Public Housing Complex. He made regular use of our Community Resource Center creating flyers for the dance classes he taught and using the computers and the Internet access working for his church and the nonprofit he was involved with Sistahs with Purpose. He taught at Knox Hill, Turkey Thicket Recreation Center and Potomac Gardens. He passed on October 10. He is survived by his mother Linda, sister Theresa and dozens and dozens of students and friends. He was a kind and compassionate person who will be missed. Below is an article I wrote about him in 2015. . . . → Read More: Remembering Big Mike: Line Dance Instructor and Inspiration