black ballerina

Representation, inclusion and equity continues to be a battle for those in our community and the world of dance is no exception. We spoke with Dance Education Specialist Latoya Nickee about her experience as a Black girl and woman in a space that often does not take into account our contributions to the craft, our differences in body types, skin tones and hair.

In our latest episode “The Need for Racial Inclusion in Dance” we discuss how Latoya navigated those spaces and how she is carving out her own space in the dance community while making more room for Black girls in her own unique way.

Be sure to click the link in the bio and give us your feedback. Have you had similar experiences navigating spaces that you are not well represented in? Tell us below.

#DoP #WOCPodcasters #Inclusion #BlackBallerina #Dance #Ballet #JazzDance #ContemporaryDance #ModernDance #Dancer #DanceLife #RepresentationMatters #Teacher

When you think of Black ballerinas, names like Misty Copeland or Janet Collins may come to mind. But did you know that a classical ballet dancer from L.A. named Bernice Harrison predated both of them?

Today, the lesser-known story of Harrison’s rise to become the first Black prima ballerina, and the legacy of the First Negro Classical Ballet Company. Read the full transcript here.

Host: L.A. Times producer Ashlea Brown
Guest: Kenneth Marcus professor of history at the University of Laverne

More reading:

First Negro Classical Ballet and Bernice Harrison

L.A. Times Today: In ‘Kylie,’ a Black ballerina shares her experience in the ballet community

Misty Copeland, Calvin Royal III and the rarity of a black couple dancing lead roles

Maiysha sits down with world renowned ballerina Misty Copeland to talk about her book "The Wind At My Back" which is about her life as well as her mentor's life Raven Wilkinson, who was first Black woman to dance for a major classical ballet company. Misty and Maiysha also discussed Misty breaking racial barriers in ballet, opening up doors for others and the progress that has been made in ballet. 

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