As the founding artistic director of Movement of the People Dance Company, she is known for creating politically scorching dance-theatre that confronts issues of race and justice.
[2][3] While at Columbia, Powell spent two years studying abroad in Salvador Bahia, Brazil to expand her cultural awareness.
During this period she was the house translator, photographer, archivist, and international representative of the Afro-Brazilian Carnival group, Ilê Aiyê, whose teachers taught her Samba Afro, dances of the Orixás, art as activism, and drumming.
Returning to New York, she set about building her company and presenting her choreography at numerous acclaimed venues including, BAAD!, Webster Hall, Bryant Park, chashama, Bronx Museum of the Arts, Summerstage, University Settlement, and Lincoln Center.
[9] In tandem with her career creating concert dance, Powell has choreographed numerous critically acclaimed plays, including Thomas Bradshaw's Job,[10] Classical Theatre of Harlem's production of Betty Shamieh's Fit For a Queen,[11] Ellen McLaughlin's adaptation of The Trojan Women[12] at The Flea Theater,[13] and Amina Henry's Ducklings[14] at Jack Theatre.