They pirouetted faster, jumped higher and practiced harder and longer just to break into the white world of ballet, to show that the classical art form long denied to dancers of color could be interpreted by anyone.
Against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement, a group of five young women became the swans of Harlem, dancing for kings, queens and presidents.
But their names had faded, disappearing until a new book brought them back to life.
We鈥檙e sitting down with the author and two of the barrier breaking ballerinas.
Guests:
- Karen Valby,
- Lydia Abarca-Mitchell, former prima ballerina,
- Marcia Sells, former ballerina,
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