The Swans of Harlem: Five Black Ballerinas, Fifty Years of Sisterhood, and Their Reclamation of a Groundbreaking History, by Karen Valby

 Publication April 30, 2024

Somewhere out there is a young girl with dreams. She will be inspired by this story. It's a story long past due. Misty Copeland, who has been celebrated as the first black prima ballerina, paid public tribute to the original dancers of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, emphasizing that she wasn't the first. I'm not particularly a ballet fan but found this a riveting story of dreams, hard work, discipline, determination, sacrifice, and an all too fleeting moment in the spotlight. It's also a celebration of sisterhood. 

Author Karen Valby does a wonderful job of introducing you to the women who were the stars of this story. Although their stories are ones of black dancers striving to break barriers, they emerge as real humans, too. You know, the sort whose grandchildren would advocate for them being introduced to the world for their accomplishments, which is really where the story begins. It then takes us back to a time when they were young and despite their love of and talent for dance, had doors closed in their faces due to race. Only after the death of Dr. Martin Luther King was the Dance Theatre of Harlem formed by Arthur Mitchell, whose personality practically pulses off the pages as he demands as much from himself as from his protege dancers. Ultimately they would dance before the Queen and party with Mick Jagger. 

This is their story, one of hopes and dreams, yes, but also sacrifice, pain, determination, and a refusal to be beaten down because of race. You are going to like these women, feel their pain as they try to balance lives with dreams, sometimes against family but also with family holding them up. Many abandoned college dreams to dance, working their hearts out for very little financial gain, but persisting nevertheless. Injuries and physical pain a constant problem as they tried to not just live up to but surpass Mitchell's demand for excellence. It's a story that can not just ignite dreams but perhaps reignite buried dreams. I thank NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me not just this early peek at the book but for providing such an inspiring story that gives us a look at history and some remarkable women. There's a lengthy list of sources included at the end, many with online links.