Arthur Mitchell

Arthur Mitchell was a pioneering American ballet dancer and founder of the Dance Theatre of Harlem. As the first African American principal dancer at New York City Ballet, he broke racial barriers in classical ballet. In 1969, he established Dance Theatre of Harlem to provide opportunities for Black dancers and increase diversity in ballet. Mitchell dedicated his career to artistic excellence and social change, using dance as a tool for education and community advancement. His work transformed the dance world, making ballet more inclusive and inspiring generations of dancers and audiences worldwide.