Approximately 600,000 African men and women were taken from their homes, forced onto ships, and enslaved to help build what is now the United States. Four hundred and seven years later, the pain of that journey has not disappeared. It still lives in the bodies, memories, and movement of their descendants, Black Americans, who continue to call this country home.
The spirit of celebrating Black heritage in Marin County honors this history. More importantly, it celebrates the strength, beauty, and power that Black communities express through art. For Black Americans, the body has long been a place of labor, resistance, discipline, and creativity. In dance, history can be seen in posture, balance, breath, and grace.
For many years, Black Americans faced serious barriers when trying to enter the classical arts. These barriers included high costs, segregation, closed schools, whites-only unions, and harmful stereotypes. Ballet was one of the art forms where Black dancers were often told they did not belong. Even so, they continued to push forward.
Here in Marin County, organizations like Performing Stars of Marin City have created opportunities where none existed before. They open doors for young Black students to train, dream, and succeed in the classical art of ballet. Across the country, a major milestone was reached when Misty Copeland became the first Black American Principal Ballerina with the American Ballet Theatre. Her achievement changed what many people believed was possible on the world’s biggest ballet stages.
Through this celebration, the Marin County Free Library will highlight Black ballet dancers with a special program called “Strength Through Grace: Celebrating Black Heritage.” As we learned while researching dance history, Black pioneers from the past and present have worked hard to earn space in classical dance. In many cases, Black dancers were only allowed onto major ballet stages starting in the 1940s and later. Segregation and racism slowed progress. This is why Black dancers are still only beginning to appear as lead dancers and directors in major ballet companies.
As Marin County continues its work toward equity, this moment invites us to celebrate those who now stand and dance in spaces that were once closed to them. This celebration honors the endurance, strength, talent, and grace that Black dancers have brought and continue to bring to classical dance.
MCFL’s Celebrations:
Ballet Solo and Q&A with Marusya Madubuko
We are honored that one of these extraordinary ballerinas will visit several of our library branches. Please join us in celebrating Black Heritage with local professional dancer Marusya Madubuko. Each presentation will be under one hour and will include a ballet solo performance, followed by a question-and-answer conversation.
• Fairfax Library: Ballet Solo and Q&A with Marusya Madubuko: Thursday 2/26 from 6:30-7:30pm
• Civic Center Library: Ballet Solo and Q&A with Marusya Madubuko: Friday 2/27 from 4:30-5:30pm
• Novato Library: Ballet Solo and Q&A with Marusya Madubuko: Saturday 2/28 from 11:00-12:00pm
Ballet Class with Marusya Madubuko
Professional dancer, Marusya Madubuko will also be teaching a beginner/intermediate contemporary ballet class for dancers 8-12 years old. Registration is required for this event.
• Marin City Arts and Culture: Contemporary Ballet for Ages 8-12: Saturday 2/28 from 2:30-3:30 pm (Registration required)
Documentary Screening: "A Ballerina's Tale"
Some library branches will also screen the award-winning documentary "A Ballerina’s Tale". This 88-minute film tells the story of Misty Copeland’s rise in ballet. It explores the challenges she faced with racism and body image, as well as her return to the stage after a serious injury. This documentary is also available to library cardholders through our subscription to Kanopy. So if you can't make it to one of our screenings, or want to see it again, you can watch it online from home.
• South Novato Library: Documentary, "A Ballerina's Tale": Thursday 2/5 from 3:00-4:30 pm
• Civic Center Library: Documentary, "A Ballerina's Tale": Tuesday 2/10 from 4:00-5:30 pm
• Point Reyes Library: Documentary, "A Ballerina's Tale": Thursday 2/19 from 6:00-7:30 pm
• Corte Madera Library: Documentary, "A Ballerina's Tale": Tuesday 2/24 from 4:00-5:30 pm
Together, these programs invite our community to see how history lives in the body and how grace, when paired with courage, can change an art form.
Find all of our Black Heritage Celebration events on our online calendar.
Black Pioneers of Ballet
Pioneers of Contemporary Ballet (Past & Present)
• Misty Copeland
• Lauren Anderson
• Debra Austin
• Virginia Johnson
• Desmond Richardson
• Aesha Ash
Pioneers in Classical Ballet
• Arthur Mitchell
• Janet Collins
• Raven Wilkinson
• Bernice Harrison
• Michaela DePrince
Online Resources
Learn more about these and other Black artists through access to our online resources, available for free with your library card.
Alexander Street Performing Arts Video Collection - a diverse collection of music, dance and theatre content.
The HistoryMakers - the largest oral history collection documenting the lives of African Americans from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.
Booklist
Black dancers have shaped the world of dance in powerful ways, and their stories invite deeper reflection. We’re excited to share a selection of titles you can find at your local branch or access online through the library.
These programs invite our community to reflect on how history lives in the body and how courage and grace can open doors that were once closed. Strength Through Grace celebrates Black Heritage by honoring the dancers who continue to shape classical arts with resilience, talent, and vision.
By Silvia Molina & Andre Clemons
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