Alvin Ailey

Alvin Ailey (1931-1989) was a gay American ballet dancer and choreographer credited with popularizing modern dance and revolutionizing African-American participation in 20th-century concert dance. Gay American ballet dancer and choreographer credited with popularizing modern dance and revolutionizing African-American participation in 20th-century concert dance. His Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and School served as a melting pot for many styles of dance and native African-American traditions, as well as discovering and developing budding talent. His personal choreographic masterpiece is Revelations, still performed by dance troupes all over the world.