Culture

15 Stunning Photos Of Black Dancers To Celebrate World Ballet Day

by BOTWC Staff

October 5, 2017

It’s World Ballet Day! From legendary dancers such as Alvin Ailey, Judith Jamison, Carmen de Lavallade, and Raven Wilkinson (the first African American woman to dance full-time with a major ballet company), to Lauren Anderson and Misty Copeland (who became the nation’s first female African American principal dancer and the American Ballet Theatre’s first African American female principal dancer respectively), Black excellence has continued to shine through the generations and break down barriers in classical dance. To celebrate the art form, here are a few photos of Black and beautiful ballerinas.

Dancers and dance parents, don’t forget to drop a dance photo in our comment section to keep the celebrating going!

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. #skiinnyminnieproject #ryleecatherine #balletzaida #myminime #ballerina #dancemom #browngirlsdoballet #loveher #love #ballerinasofig #dancer #blocishot #justthetwoofus #pointe #babygirl

A post shared by Precious Lanee (@skiinnyminnieproject) on Sep 27, 2017 at 9:16am PDT

I started ballet at the age of three, started pointe as a preteen, and continued on and off throughout college. So this? This right here is so flawless. #blackballerinas #blackgirlmagic #blackgirlsrock

A post shared by Rayna (@happycurlhappygirl) on Jan 5, 2017 at 6:11pm PST

I have been feeling uninspired lately. Have to remember my passion to help push me and to remind myself that you sometimes have to be your own motivation Work for you. Photo: The Dallas Dance Project @nicoleroseportraits @mrescamillajr . . . . . . . . . . @dancemagazine @dancespiritmagazine @browngirlsdoballet @dallasblackdance #dancemagme #worldwidedance #browngirlsdoballet #dancemagazine #dancespiritmagazine #moderndance #dancephotography #thedallasdanceproject #dbdt #dallasblackdancetheatre #dance #prettybrowndancers #dancerofthedayentry #dancer #blackdancers #Dallas #photography #fitness

A post shared by Hana (@hdintheplace2be) on Sep 6, 2017 at 9:33am PDT

Butterflies #dance #dance moms #dancing #dancemoms #prettybrowndancers #browngirlsdoballet #pointe #pointeshoes #ballerina #sport #ballet #dance #tutu #skirt #green #pink #arms #love #lovedance #ballerinanails #cactus #butterfly #trees #igballerinas

A post shared by Lerato Ragontse (@leragontse) on Aug 14, 2017 at 3:55pm PDT

Let’s keep each other more. ・・・ by @flrs_global feat @daphne732 , and @_kimberley_h Make Up by @faizah_husniyah for @collagedance #art #ballet #power #bodies #blackandwhite #bw

A post shared by Brown Girls Do Ballet® (@browngirlsdoballet) on Aug 13, 2017 at 3:18pm PDT

First performance of the season today, I’m super excited for our World Premiere “Harlem on my mind” by the choreographer @darrellmoultrie I will be performing a solo with the amazing music by Chris Botti “My funny Valentine”. I’m so grateful for all the opportunities life has been given to me. ____ Primeira apresentação do ano hoje e eu tô super feliz!! Estaremos dançando uma coreografia jamais vista “Harlem on my mind” coreografia de Darrel GrandMoltrie. Eu estarei dançando um solo música de Chris Botti “My funny Valentine” eu sou muito grata as oportunidades que a vida tem me dado! Photo by @nicholasrose_ #ingridsilvaballetworld

A post shared by Ingrid Silva (@ingridsilva) on Sep 29, 2017 at 4:56pm PDT

The picture speaks for itself… World we introduce you to … EN POINTE! #enpointedancestudio #ballerina #browngirlsdoballet #batonrouge #classic #technique #ballet (special thanks to our photographer BNJ photography)

A post shared by En Pointe Dance Studio (@enpointe_dancestudio) on Apr 18, 2016 at 11:24am PDT

The leaves are about to show us how beautiful it is to let things go! #fall #dancerslife #dance #ballet #ballerina #enpointe #lovedds #browngirlsdoballetambassador #gaynorgirl #worldofdance #balletworld #destinedtodance #followyourdestiny Photo: @sykesphotographyllc

A post shared by Destiny Wimpye ☆ MTA (@destinywimpye) on Oct 4, 2017 at 6:49am PDT

A post shared by Collage Dance Collective (@collagedance) on Jun 23, 2017 at 10:52am PDT

It’s Friday. My 21st Birthday is in 3 days. I start my final year as an undergrad next week. There are only a few more weeks of rehearsals with Ailey II before they go on tour. Overall, thank you summer 2k17 for being so intense but wonderful – : @nickiboschphotography #vintageweddingdress

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A post shared by S h a i n a M c G r e g o r (@shaina.mcgregor) on Aug 25, 2017 at 3:39pm PDT

—————————————————— Photographer: @afaliah Location: Fort Greene Thank you Afaliah for pushing me above & beyond my comfort zone ❤️ . . . . #Dance #love #ballet #AuntViv #browngirlsdoballet #photoshoot #brooklyn

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A post shared by Neets , CCYT (@nicholeforthesoul) on Sep 22, 2017 at 3:25pm PDT

“The audacious hope of rooted things.” -Cynthia Bond

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A post shared by Collage Dance Collective (@collagedance) on Sep 9, 2017 at 1:09pm PDT

Holy cuteness!! @skiinnyminnieproject by @balletzaida ・・・ Like mother like daughter #skiinnyminnieproject #ryleecatherine #ballerinasofig #dancemom #babygirl #afrobabies #targetstyle #pointe #balletzaida #ballerina #loveher #bliss #browngirlsdoballet #happygirl #tututuesday #targetstyle #love #frobabies #melanin

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A post shared by Brown Girls Do Ballet® (@browngirlsdoballet) on Oct 3, 2017 at 8:51am PDT

It’s November, which means it’s almost time for that @browngirlsdoballet surprise! #ballet #ballerina #dance #waitforit Photo: @somesweetphoto #browngirlsdoballetambassador #followyourdestiny

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A post shared by Destiny Wimpye ☆ MTA (@destinywimpye) on Nov 1, 2016 at 10:59am PDT

Asking for Continued Blessings • • • Photo: @melika.dez • • • #blessed #receiving #imwayupifeelblessed #continuum #pointe #fashion #picoftheday #bsb #balletsocialbody #blackandwhite #dancersofig #akuanoniparker

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A post shared by Akua Noni Parker (@onlyupward) on Jul 24, 2017 at 6:30am PDT