List of African-American ballerinas facts for kids

This article introduces you to some amazing African-American ballerinas. These talented dancers have made history and inspired many people with their grace and strength.

Misty Copeland in Coppélia in 2014

Trailblazing Ballerinas

Raven Wilkinson: Breaking Barriers

Raven Wilkinson was a groundbreaking dancer. She was one of the first African-American ballerinas to join a major ballet company. In the 1950s, she danced with the famous Ballets Russes. She faced many challenges because of her race. After two years, she left Ballets Russes. She later joined the Dutch National Ballet, continuing her amazing career.

Janet Collins: Metropolitan Opera Star

Janet Collins made history as the first African American to perform with the Metropolitan Opera ballet. Like Raven Wilkinson, she faced racial challenges early in her career. Her talent and determination helped her achieve this important milestone.

Debra Austin: Principal Dancer

Debra Austin

Debra Austin was the very first African-American ballerina to become a principal dancer. This happened in 1982 with the Pennsylvania Ballet. As a principal dancer, she performed lead roles in famous ballets. These included Swan Lake, Giselle, and Coppélia. Dancing these roles with a white partner was also a big step forward. Before that, she danced with George Balanchine's New York City Ballet. Balanchine himself created special dances for her.

Lauren Anderson: Houston Ballet's First

Lauren Anderson achieved a significant first. She became the first African-American principal dancer of the Houston Ballet. Her success opened doors for many who followed.

Llanchie Stevenson: Founding Member

Llanchie Stevenson was a pioneer in ballet. She was the first African-American dancer at the Radio City Music Hall Ballet Company. Later, she danced with the National Ballet of Washington, D.C.. She was also a founding member and principal dancer at the famous Dance Theatre of Harlem.

Aesha Ash: Inspiring the Next Generation

Aesha Ash danced with the New York City Ballet from 1996 to 2003. For much of that time, she was the only Black woman in the company. After that, she danced with companies in Switzerland and California. In 2011, she started the Swan Dream Project. This project helps African-American children get involved in ballet. It includes a summer camp and after-school programs. In 2020, she became the first African-American female full-time faculty member at the School of American Ballet.

Misty Copeland: A Historic Principal Dancer

Misty Copeland started dancing later than many ballerinas. Despite this, she quickly became a soloist. In June 2015, Misty Copeland made history. She became the first African-American female principal dancer in the American Ballet Theatre's 75-year history. Her achievements have inspired millions around the world.

Michaela DePrince: From Sierra Leone to Soloist

Michaela DePrince was born in Sierra Leone. She was adopted by an American family at age four and soon started ballet. She was featured in the 2011 ballet documentary First Position. Michaela began her career at Dance Theatre of Harlem. She was the youngest dancer there. She then joined the Dutch National Ballet. She is now a soloist with the Boston Ballet, having joined in 2021.

Precious Adams: Standing for Change

Precious Adams dances for Swans for Relief in 2020

Precious Adams trained at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Russia. She faced challenges there because of her race. In 2014, she joined the English National Ballet. She was promoted to First Artist in 2017. In 2018, Adams announced she would wear brown tights to match her skin tone. This was a powerful statement for diversity in ballet. The director of the English National Ballet, Tamara Rojo, supported her decision.

Anne Benna Sims: First Soloist at ABT

Anne Benna Sims was a significant dancer at American Ballet Theatre (ABT). She was the first African-American danseuse (female dancer) at ABT. She was also the first female African-American soloist in the company's history. Before ABT, Sims danced with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens in 1972.

Virginia Johnson: Artistic Director

Virginia Johnson was a founding member and prima ballerina of Dance Theatre of Harlem. This company is known for being the "first Black classical ballet company." She joined the company in 1969 when it was founded. In 2009, Johnson returned to Dance Theatre of Harlem as its artistic director.

Karen Brown: Directing Ballet Companies

Karen Brown danced for Dance Theatre of Harlem for many years, from 1973 to 1995. She worked with many famous choreographers. She later became the director of education at the Atlanta Ballet Center for Dance. Karen Brown also made history as the first African-American woman to direct a ballet company. She served as artistic director of Oakland Ballet Company in California.

Alicia Graf Mack: Leading Dance Education

Alicia Graf Mack in Robert Garland's Return

Alicia Graf Mack joined the Dance Theatre of Harlem when she was young. She later earned a degree from Columbia University School of General Studies. She rejoined the company as a principal dancer. After that, she danced with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. In 2018, she became the director of the dance division at Juilliard School. She is the first woman of color and the youngest person to hold this important position.

Rising Stars in Ballet

• Olivia Boisson is a talented dancer with New York City Ballet.
• Sydney Magruder Washington is a ballet dancer and also works as a mental health advocate.
• Chyrstyn Fentroy is a principal dancer with Boston Ballet.
• Alicia Holloway is a dancer with Dance Theatre of Harlem. She previously danced with Suzanne Farrell Ballet.