It's no secret that the majority of ballerinas are caucasian, often leaving ones of color out of the spotlight.
Yet, the Dance Theatre of Harlem has been attempting to change the predominance of white ballerinas for decades.
"People told us you can't do this and right from the beginning this company started making people think differently about ballet," the company's artistic director, Virginia Johnson, told Mashable.
Founded in 1969 by choreographer Arthur Mitchell, the company has trained many ballerinas of color in its New York dance studio.
Although the company was on a hiatus from touring from 2004–2012, more and more young dancers have joined in the last three years.
"We're on the cusp of something really dramatic happening," Johnson said.
As the video examines the reason ballerinas of color are often left out at the 1:03 mark, it also brings to focus two of them who show off their impeccable talent.
One of them, Chyrstyn Fentroy, said she always felt like the "sore thumb" growing up biracial, but found that the dance world has always embraced her. She also believes in the power of working hard.
"Being a brown ballerina isn't always a negative thing. A lot of young girls hear people saying that 'it's such a struggle,'" she said. "They need to hear that people are successful because they work hard. It doesn't matter what color your skin is."
Watch the incredible video below and please SHARE their talent!
