This was a terrific story of the Black women who wanted to dance and had to crash barriers that kept them from taking the stage. To be able to join a company that had been started by a Black male dancer was almost as challenging as trying to get on a troupe of white dancers. I enjoyed meeting these strong, courageous women in a well written narrative that made them and their circumstances come alive. Well done!

“The world goes hard on us all, even mythical creatures like ballerinas. Their lives have been set to thunderous applause and the damp hush of obscurity. They once soared under the brightest of spotlights but have struggled since to find contentment and in some cases equilibrium and financial security.”

Misty Copeland is a household name and is often credited for being the first black ballerina, but decades ago five women blazed the trail for her and others:
Lydia Abarca, Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Sheila Rohan, Marcia Sells, and Karlya Shelton. They waited in the wings for 50 years for their story to be told, and finally, five pioneers of black ballet take center stage.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s, assassination was the catalyst for dancer Arthur Mitchell’s creation of The Dance Theater of Harlem, a black ballet school and company. From a church basement to renowned venues across the globe, this book highlights the triumphs and the tragedies. On the other end of the timeline, the recent global pandemic inspired these 5 women to come together and establish the 152nd Street Black Ballet Legacy Council. A particularly well written section describes the impact of the AIDS crisis in the company and the dancers.

United by their experience with DTH, divided by separate personal challenges after leaving, these five ballerinas came together to embrace their past and share their stories. Ms. Valby has written a clear, emotional and impactful account for us to embrace, and I hope it gets the attention it deserves. I have a profound love for dance and activism, and the two concepts married here, created a riveting and immersive reading experience for me.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Pantheon for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

In The Swans Of Harlem by Karen Valbey we learn about five ballet dancers spanning the ages of 62 to 80 and they have all attended the ballet school in Harlem started by Arthur Mitchell the first black man to dance in a ballet with a white woman he was set to open the school in South America but due to the death of Martin Luther King Jr. he felt spiritually called to start one in the neighborhood he grew up in Harlem. The five ladies who this book is based on whose names I will probably not spelled right or Lydia A barker Mitchell no relation to Arthur, Gail McKinney Griffith, Marsha Cells, sheila Rohan and last but not least Carlyia Shelton Benjamin they were all members in the schools beginning and had different levels of success Lydia was even all the perfume box for Houston Charlie perfume were many things I love about this book but there were also things I didn’t care for like at the end how she said eating too much ice cream killed Arthur Mitchell in for a man who accomplish so much to be wrote off with such a put down statement just rubbed me the wrong way for one thing ice cream has never killed anyone so I would really find it more respectful to just state what finally took his life I mean he was 84 when he died was it really ice cream that took his life or old age? Moving on there were other things I found that a lot of authors do when writing about minorities and that is making their growing up years sound like they were always left wanting in the main focus was on Lydia Barker Mitchell who for one train that Juilliard for another went to Catholic school in yet another had a scholar ship to Fordham university instead of writing about what a great job her parents did giving her so much in a world that didn’t want her to have much of anything instead we focus on all that she was left without which wasn’t much and most was just fanciful material things. And in most cases the same things other little girls who dream would want. This was a pretty good book for the most part as you get the bones of the story before ending my review I have one question I am blind and if they put on a ballet for me I would be sitting there bored to tears so please explain to me how they dance for Stevie Wonder and how that benefited him? I can’t wait until the day comes that we can just write a respectful homage to those who have accomplished so much as the women in this book is done. As far as misty Copeland goes from what I hear she is a beautiful skilled dancer and always mentions the ladies in interviews that is not the fault of misty Copeland but the fault of the idiot reporters who try and make her the first even though she’s just the latest in a long line. Estelle read the book from beginning to end and do recommended as it is a great piece of African-American history and for the most part truly interesting my opinion is probably in the minority so definitely give it a chance. I want to thank The publisher for my free arccopy via NetGalley please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

I am not a fan of ballet and am a novice when it comes to the ballet culture. However, I don’t have to enjoy it to appreciate the talent, hard work and dedication needed to be a ballet dancer. My main interest in wanting to read this book is because I continue to find so many instances that Blacks are excluded from history. I appreciate the author’s effort to give us a more accurate picture of the true history black ballet and The Dance Theatre of Harlem.

I was inspired by the sacrifices made by Lydia Abarca, Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Shelia Rohan, Marcia Sells and Kayla Shelton to ensure the success of the Dance Theatre of Harlem and for Arthur Miller for creating the environment for black dancers to fulfill their dreams. I can’t imagine how it would feel to rarely find someone who looks like me when seeking out my roles models and these five women became those role models for numerous black children who were interested in ballet.

Because I have such limited understanding and knowledge of the ballet world, some of the details were lost on me but that is about me and not the content of the book. However, I did struggle keeping track of the characters because of the periodic switching of first/last name references throughout the book. In spite of that, I still feel strongly that this was well worth the read because it gave me a more accurate understanding of the history of black ballerinas and the impact, they had on the ballet world.

Thank you, NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

#TheSwansofHarlem, #KarenValby

What a heartbreaking - because it has been silenced, marvelous - because they endured so much to follow a dream in a world determined to ignore and break them, true story of our history. Not Black history, American history. These are the stories I wish were shared so that all children could see what each of us are capable of. It is not about skin color but talent, drive, and a willingness to be your best. These women's stories broke my heart. At times I wanted to cry. Their fight was something else. Beautifully written and captivating to read. Wow! Excellent!

This was such an interesting topic to read about, and one that I had absolutely zero existing knowledge on. The book started off really strong for me, but there were so many ballerinas being discussed that it was hard to keep track of them all, and I really found myself struggling through the middle.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for sending me this book!

The Swans of Harlem is a beautifully written story about 5 black ballerinas and their journey with the Dance Theater of Harlem, the first black ballet company.

I normally don’t go for nonfiction books, but this book was so well written I kept forgetting it was about real events and people.

Thank you Pantheon and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

This is a really fascinating look into a part of the dance world that I honestly knew nothing about.
Karen Valby explores the forgotten history of the once thriving Dance Theatre of Harlem. A talented, young pool of black ballet dancers trying to make their mark during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. With the rise of current stars like Misty Copeland their fifty year history has all but been erased. The story mostly follows the five founding ballerinas and with candid conversations and revealing tidbits about their tough love director, Arthur Mitchell, it’s an intimate look inside their difficult but ultimately rewarding dance life.

The pacing moved the story along well even though there are a lot of names to keep track of. I especially loved the chapters the ballerinas wrote themselves about their own journeys.

As a ballet mom, I could relate to a lot of the different dance numbers, movements and even complaints about painful pointe shoes!

I came to care deeply for these charming woman and am so happy to see their story finally being told.

Thank you to the author, Net Galley & Pantheon Books for an early copy of this book!

While this is a great book filled with interviews and insights from the first black ballerinas, I do take issue with the statements that these dancers were "forgotten." The press surrounding Misty Copeland's achievements didn't erase these dancers from the history of ballet in America.
Each dancer has a specific distinction as to what made them the "first" and unfortunately that distinction is what gets forgotten sometimes.
lunderstand that is part of the author's selling point that these dancers were forgotten somehow or their careers and achievements were erased by one ballerina who the media latched onto, but it really does a disservice to ballet and dance historians, lovers and performers to suggest that the ballet world is so fickle.
As I stated, I loved this book for the insights from the dancers themselves and I think it's absolutely wonderful that these dancers are having their stories told, I just wish it weren't under the misleading banner of it being a reclamation of history.

When I picked up this book I thought it would be a simple biography which would teach me about women I’d never heard of. And. To be clear. It did.

But the book is so much more about community - the development of it, and the importance of maintaining it. I really enjoyed reading this and will recommend it broadly.

What a wonderful story about the first all black ballet company. The careers of these five ballet dancers is a tribute to the dedication and hard work that goes into becoming a dancer. The obstacles that these ladies had to overcome was huge but they never gave up. And then to have their story forgotten and untold was a grave oversight.
The author gives us the whole story of how these dancers contributed to the world of ballet.

Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

This is a beautiful book detailing the history of black ballet. I am not an expert or even all that interested in ballet but this story, this tribute to these talented and amazing dancers still grabbed my attention and made me want to keep reading.

At the start of the Covid 19 pandemic, five original dancers from the Dance Theater of Harlem formed the 152nd Street Black Ballet Legacy Council. Lydia Abarca, Gayle Mc-Kinney-Griffith, Sheila Rohan, Marcia Sells, and Karlya Shelton embarked on a journey to reclaim their rightful place in the narrative of ballet. They got together online weekly to “write themselves back into history”.


One incident that prompted this was that Lydia Abarca’s daughter couldn’t find anything about how her mother aided in breaking the color barrier in ballet over fifty years ago. In fact, she was the first black ballerina to be on the cover of Dance Magazine. 


The Swans of Harlem delves deep into the dancers’ personal and professional lives, unraveling the intricate tapestry of their experiences—from childhood aspirations to the arduous path to becoming ballerinas, to current- day. It sheds light on the barriers they faced as black girls aspiring to excel in a predominantly white dance form, as they were often shoved towards modern dance instead of ballet. Despite the odds, they persevered, buoyed by the unwavering support of their families. As we read on, we learn that there were black ballerinas before them who were virtually forgotten.


Readers gain insight into the company's rich history, its trials and triumphs, and the indelible mark it left on the world of dance. Their interactions with the late founder and director Arthur Mitchell, both positive and negative, offer a look into the complexities of mentorship and leadership. We learn how difficult it is financially to just keep a dance company afloat.



One section of the book pays homage to their dance partners who died of AIDS—a poignant reminder of the fragility of life.



The Swans of Harlem will resonate with readers irrespective of their familiarity with ballet. It serves as a testament to the power of perseverance, the importance of reclaiming one's narrative, and the transformative potential of ballet in transcending barriers and inspiring change.

(This review will be posted on UnderratedReads on April 30, 2024, its release date.)

This books was incredibly informative and feels like an essential addition to the narrative history of ballet. It’s was heartbreaking reading about the five ballerinas, Lydia Abarca, Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Sheila Rohan, Karlya Shelton and Marcia Sells, and how their history as some of the first black ballerinas was scrubbed from the modern consciousness. Karen Valby’s efforts to bring these amazing women’s stories to light is commendable!

The only reason I took off a star for my rating is that the writing felt a little dry at times, almost like I was reading a report about their lives. However, the content was exceptional, and I highly recommend this novel.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Pantheon for the ARC of this novel!

Before we heard of Misty Copeland there were the five black Ballerinas of Dance Theater of Harlem (DTH). DTH was founded by Arthur Mitchell in 1968 after the assassination of MLK Jr. He had success as a ballerina and was intent on showing the world black ballerinas. He was successful even if his methods were questionable.

The 5 ballerinas- Lydia Abarca, Marcia Sells, Sheila Rohan, Gayle McKinney-Griffith, and Karlya Shelton-Benjamin, were pushed to succeed because they all had something to prove while buying into Arthur Mitchell’s dream.

This book is about each dancer’s emotions as they change the world. The irony is that the general public largely forgot them, and so there is a constant refrain of “we were there, we were there.” Their sadness is tangible, but so is their perseverance.

I enjoyed learning about these dancers, the era in which they danced, and Arthur Mitchell. Misty Copeland sits on their shoulders and acknowledges their work.

They were there, and it was worthwhile.

#Theswansofharlem #netgalley

The Swans of Harlem is a book that is way past due, but thank goodness Karen Valby collected the stories of these five ballerinas from the Dance Theatre of Harlem's early years. In the past decade, much has been written about Misty Copeland's achievement as the first black principal dancer at ABT, but these women proved that black women could dance ballet long before Misty laced up her first pair of point shoes. These five women, Lydia Abarca-Mitchell, Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Sheila Rohan, Karlya Shelton-Benjamin, and Marcia Sells, give an unflinching account of those early years of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, reclaiming their place in ballet history. While the revere Arthur Mitchell for his vision and audacity, they clearly state there was a price to pay for dancing for the company. The five omens are honest about the toll dancing took on their bodies and private lives. This boo is a must-read for any balletomane.

The Swans of Harlem tells the story of the founding of the Dance Theatre of Harlem by focusing on five of its first principle dancers, and offers theories of why their contributions have been all but forgotten. Similar to how Hidden Figures sought to tell the story of the black mathematicians, engineers, and human computers' contribution to the discovery of super sonic flight and the beginning of the space program, author Karen Valby beautifully tells the company's founder Arthur Miller and the early dancers' story. Much as a ballet has three acts, the book tells of the ballerinas' early life, their time with the DTH, and their life after they left Harlem. The book also offers interesting insights into why these women's achievements were allowed to fade from ballet history, giving rise to the idea that Misty Copeland was uniquely talented for her race, rather than simply the best of her generation. I highly recommend this story and hope it finds its way into many libraries.

If you are at all interested in dance, this is a fascinating read, about the first all Black ballet company, The Dance Theater of Harlem, and the amazing women (and men) who were its heart. Most people have heard of Misty Copeland, the first Black principal dancer for the American Ballet Theater, but these women, Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Sheila Rohan, Karlya Shelton and Marcia Sells, blazed that trail 30 years before her, and sadly, seemed to have drifted away into obscurity. This book tells their story—their struggle, heartbreak, and joy. It’s a story of friendship, resilience and of sisterhood and it was eye opening to finally read their history.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Knopf Pantheon for this e-arc.*

A wealth of information with the beauty of Blackness. The stories of these women are remarkably told. Reading this book made me miss being in Harlem. Their roots add a pivotal piece to the storytelling.

As a dancer and a lover of ballet, I found The Swans of Harlem to be a beautiful and insightful account of 5 prima ballerinas from the Dance Theater of Harlem. Black ballerinas have faced so many challenges in the ballet world due to biases and racism, and this was such an important story to tell and I'm so glad to have gotten to read it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pantheon books for providing me with an ebook ARC for review. I will continue to recommend this book to others and feature on tiktok and Instagram.