When I first heard the news that Misty Copeland was retiring, I had to sit with it for a moment. Misty isn’t just a ballerina to me, she’s a symbol of what’s possible. For years, I watched her redefine ballet on her own terms, pushing past gatekeepers and barriers that weren’t designed with her in mind. She wasn’t supposed to make it, and yet she did. And now, as she steps into her next chapter, I can’t help but think about all the other Black ballerinas who are continuing that legacy and expanding the boundaries of classical dance.
If you, like me, felt a shift when Misty Copeland announced her retirement, I invite you to get to know these nine phenomenal Black ballerinas who are shaping the future of ballet. Their stories remind us that the movement doesn’t stop here, it evolves.
1. Michaela DePrince
Michaela’s story is one of heartbreak and hope. Born in Sierra Leone during the civil war, she lost her parents early and was labeled “the devil’s child” because of her vitiligo. But through dance, she found a way to heal and rise. Adopted by an American family, she trained at the Rock School for Dance Education and later joined the Dutch National Ballet. Michaela danced with raw power and lyrical grace that stopped you in your tracks.
I was devastated to learn of her passing. She was just beginning to reach a broader audience, and her presence in ballet was electric. I wrote more about Michaela’s legacy here: A Tribute to Michaela DePrince: Remembering Her Life and Legacy
2. Ingrid Silva
A first-generation Brazilian-American ballerina, Ingrid Silva is proof that representation matters. She didn’t see dancers who looked like her growing up in Rio, but that didn’t stop her. She trained at the Dance Theatre of Harlem, later joining the company as a principal dancer.
Ingrid is known for her advocacy as much as her artistry. She’s vocal about colorism, the lack of diversity in ballet shoes and tights, and the importance of uplifting Black voices in dance.
3. Precious Adams
A soloist with English National Ballet, Precious Adams made waves not just with her technique, but with her bold stance against the uniform traditions of ballet. She chose to wear tights that matched her skin tone, rejecting the outdated rule of pink tights for all.
I remember the first time I saw a clip of her dancing “Swan Lake.” She was ethereal. And knowing that she was pushing for real change within such a traditional institution made her performance even more powerful.
4. Courtney Lavine
As a corps de ballet member of American Ballet Theatre, Courtney Lavine was one of the few Black ballerinas in a major American company. She danced with elegance and ease that often went under the radar, but those of us watching knew how much it meant to see her there.
It’s important to remember that visibility at every level of a company matters. Courtney paved the way just by showing up, staying the course, and dancing with integrity.
5. Chyrstyn Fentroy
Currently a principal dancer with Boston Ballet, Chyrstyn Fentroy’s lines and musicality are mesmerizing. She started her professional career with the Dance Theatre of Harlem before making history at Boston Ballet as one of their few Black principal dancers.
She speaks openly about the microaggressions she’s faced in the ballet world and how she’s working to shift the culture. Her presence in a major classical company is a beacon for the next generation.
6. Alicia Graf Mack
While no longer dancing, Alicia’s current role is arguably just as important. She is now the Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and was previously the Director of Juilliard’s dance division. Her career includes time with both Dance Theatre of Harlem and Alvin Ailey, showcasing her wide-ranging talent.
She is now shaping the curriculum for future dancers, making sure it’s grounded in inclusivity and excellence. You can learn more about Alicia’s leadership in: Women in Leadership in the Dance World: Alicia Graf Mack Becomes Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
7. Olivia Boisson
As a member of the New York City Ballet, Olivia Boisson broke barriers in one of ballet’s most rigid institutions. She made history as one of the first Black women to perform in the corps at NYCB in over a decade.
Her quiet strength and poised presence onstage speaks volumes. She’s also taken part in important conversations around race and classical ballet, using her voice and her visibility to advocate for systemic change.
8. Nardia Boodoo
Trained at the Kirov Academy and a dancer with The Washington Ballet, Nardia Boodoo blends classical precision with grounded expressiveness. What stands out about her journey is how she emphasizes the need for safe and affirming spaces for Black dancers.
She’s also been featured in campaigns that challenge the traditional imagery associated with ballet, creating new visual narratives for what a ballerina can look like.
9. Lauren Anderson
It wouldn’t be right to write this list without honoring Lauren Anderson. As one of the first African American principal ballerinas at a major American ballet company (Houston Ballet), she opened the doors that Misty Copeland would later walk through.
Her legacy continues as she mentors young dancers and serves as an ambassador for the arts. I had the privilege of hearing her speak once, and the fire in her voice was as powerful as the strength in her dancing.
These women each carry a part of Misty Copeland’s torch, but more than that, they blaze their own paths. In honoring Misty’s career, we must also uplift the other Black ballerinas who are holding it down in studios, on stages, and in leadership roles across the globe.
We dance forward because they danced first. And we keep dancing because they’re still moving.
Happy Dancing!
Taylor B
