When most people think of Black dance in America, the name Alvin Ailey often rises to the top and rightfully so. Ailey’s work created a legacy that brought African American stories to the concert dance stage in a way that hadn’t been done before. His company opened doors. But as a Black dancer and educator who has trained and performed in multiple spaces, I’ve learned that the world of Black dance is much broader and deeper than many realize.
One of the most meaningful parts of my dance journey was my time with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company 2. That experience helped shape the dancer and teacher I am today. I’m grateful I had the opportunity to be part of a company with such a rich legacy, one that centers Black voices, honors the past, and isn’t afraid to take creative risks.
Alvin Ailey may be the most recognizable name, but he’s far from alone. Here are five other Black dance companies making a major impact each with a unique voice and powerful story to tell.
1. Dallas Black Dance Theatre (Dallas, TX)
Founded in 1976 by Ann Williams, Dallas Black Dance Theatre (DBDT) is one of the oldest continuously operating professional dance companies in Texas. What makes DBDT stand out is its ability to blend cultural representation with technical excellence. The dancers are classically trained but unapologetically rooted in Black traditions.
I’ve always admired how DBDT prioritizes accessibility. Whether performing across continents or in schools in Dallas, the company stays committed to engaging audiences who might not otherwise experience concert dance. They also offer opportunities for young dancers through their second company, DBDT: Encore!, and youth ensembles that feed into the professional ranks.
What I love most about Dallas Black is how they navigate tradition and innovation. Their repertoire includes works by Ulysses Dove, Donald McKayle, and Darrell Grand Moultrie artists who push the boundaries of what modern dance can express while remaining grounded in the Black experience.
2. Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (Dayton, OH)
This one is personal. Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC), founded in 1968 by Jeraldyne Blunden, was where I learned to dig deeper not just into my technique but into my identity as a dancer and storyteller. As a member of DCDC2, the company’s pre-professional arm, I trained under teachers who expected excellence and gave me the cultural context to understand why our work mattered.
DCDC has always been more than just a dance company. It’s an institution that archives and elevates Black choreography. With a repertory that includes over 100 works by African American choreographers, the company preserves the legacies of icons like Eleo Pomare, Talley Beatty, and Donald Byrd.
They also create new pathways for emerging choreographers. DCDC has always struck a balance between honoring our past and embracing the future. Their performances challenge you to think, feel, and reflect on issues that affect our communities. It’s not just performance for the sake of beauty though there’s plenty of that, too. It’s performance with purpose.
3. PHILADANCO! – The Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadelphia, PA)
You can’t talk about Black dance companies without mentioning PHILADANCO!, founded in 1970 by the legendary Joan Myers Brown. She started the company in response to the exclusion Black dancers often faced in the world of classical ballet and modern dance. What she built became one of the most respected companies in the country.
PHILADANCO! dancers are known for their razor-sharp technique and endurance. If you’ve ever seen them live, you know what I mean they move with a level of intensity that commands attention from the moment the curtain rises. The company’s training pipeline is also impressive, with a junior company (D/2) and extensive youth programs that cultivate talent from a young age.
Beyond performance, PHILADANCO! has been vocal about the systemic inequities that persist in dance. Joan Myers Brown has advocated for equity in funding and opportunities for Black-led institutions. Her work and the company’s continued presence is proof that excellence can thrive, even when the odds are stacked against you.
4. Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (Denver, CO)
Out in Denver, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance has been creating powerful, culturally infused work since 1970. Founded by Cleo Parker Robinson, the company operates under the philosophy of “One Spirit, Many Voices.” That spirit shows up in every performance, where African traditions, modern dance, and social justice themes intersect.
Cleo’s personal story is one of resilience. As a Black woman raised during segregation in Colorado, she built a company in a city that wasn’t known for its dance scene. Today, CPRD is an international force. They’ve performed across the globe, bringing stories of Black life, identity, and healing to diverse audiences.
I admire how Cleo’s company uses dance as a vehicle for transformation. They don’t shy away from the hard conversations about race, belonging, and historical trauma. And they make space for community, hosting workshops, youth programs, and their International Summer Dance Institute. Their work reminds me that dance can be a tool for unity and truth-telling.
5. Lula Washington Dance Theatre (Los Angeles, CA)
On the West Coast, Lula Washington Dance Theatre has carved out a legacy that speaks directly to the heart of South Los Angeles. Founded in 1980 by Lula Washington, the company was created to provide performance and training opportunities for inner-city youth especially those who couldn’t afford private studio classes.
What’s amazing about Lula Washington’s work is how versatile it is. The dancers move effortlessly between West African dance, ballet, modern, hip hop, and street styles. The choreography often explores themes of resistance, faith, identity, and joy honest reflections of the Black experience.
Their dancers have gone on to work in film and TV, including blockbusters like Avatar, but what I love most is how rooted they remain in community. The studio is still in the heart of LA. They still open their doors to youth. And they still use dance to speak to the world we live in now not just the one we dream about.

Why These Companies Matter
Each of these Black dance companies has contributed to shaping American dance in ways that go far beyond what most people see on stage. They’ve trained generations of dancers. They’ve created safe spaces for cultural expression. They’ve challenged systems that tried to erase or marginalize Black artistry.
As a dancer, I carry these legacies with me every time I step into a studio or classroom. We often say that dance is a universal language but the stories we tell and who gets to tell them matter. These companies are living proof that Black stories are not a sidebar to dance history. They are central to it.
So the next time someone mentions Alvin Ailey, I’ll nod with respect. But I’ll also make sure they know about Dallas Black, DCDC, PHILADANCO!, Cleo Parker Robinson, and Lula Washington. Because when you truly understand the depth of Black dance in this country, you realize that one name could never tell the whole story.
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Happy Dancing,
Taylor B.