BNV BLACK PEARLS: Black ballet dancers stretch beyond the stage, classroom to help others

For so long, Black dancers were subtly or directly made to understand that their strong thighs and curves were not made for ballet, which originated in Italy in the 15th century. Even the traditionally pink color of tights and pointe shoes sent a silent message because the color was meant to emulate white flesh. But Black dancers who’ve managed to leap beyond the stereotypes have made sure to be seen and to help those coming up behind them through teaching, speaking to groups or even sporting brown tights and shoes on stage. Students from the Leap of Dance Academy in the Lagos, Nigeria, area have drawn a global following. The school was founded in 2017 by self-taught dancer Daniel Owoseni Ajala. Photo credit: Leap of Dance Academy Today, NABJ Black News & Views is honoring Black ballet dancers as Black Pearls. Through the founding of organizations, the making of documentaries and the opening of schools in Black countries, they are using their feet to change the world – not just in terms of increasing dance diversity but creating equality overall. The change is evidenced in a boom in organizations and social media accounts driving people to understand that Black people...