☞ MEET: Arthur Mitchell

Arthur Mitchell, born and raised in Harlem, would achieve many first in the history of classical dance and as a mentor for the new talent of the future. Growing up in depression era New York City where opportunities were lacking, the young Mitchell was encouraged by a teacher to pursue dance and he would go on to attending the city's High School of Performing Arts. Soon after, in 1955, Arthur Mitchell was appointed a position in the New York City Ballet, which until then, never had an African American dancer in its troop. The above photo is a performance in Balanchine's Nutcracker which until 1965, could not be televised in the south because of Arthur Mitchell's presence in the production.

Even more inspiring in his later years, Mitchell set out to teach classical dance to the children of Harlem by financing a free dance studio in a garage with his own money. The Dance Theatre of Harlem grew from its humble begings to an iconic institution in Harlem with the support of its founder and somewhat of a miracle...in a church no less. Photo via Dance Theatre of Harlem