Social Movement Contemporary Dance Theater was founded under the Artistic Directorship of Elijah Alhadji Gibson in 2019.

Gibson wanted to cultivate an inclusive, safe space for his creative process, which stems from personal experiences and current issues that directly affect him, as well as the systems surrounding him. This conviction motivated Gibson's creation of The Black Card, an evening of original works that provide a glimpse inside his personal experiences dealing with race, cultural affirmation, and expression in the United States.

The evening featured works such as We Are Greenwood, which received critical acclaim and was performed by invitation at both the Kennedy Center and Jacob's Pillow. It was the impact of and response to The Black Card that inspired Gibson to establish Social Movement Contemporary Dance Theater. Since then, the company has developed nine original programs featuring work that honors cultural heritage, explores themes of identity and belonging, and promotes inclusive perspectives through the performing arts.