Photo credit: Thalita Ramos
Ingrid Silva
Some 15 years ago, Ingrid Silva moved from the humble outskirts of the city of Rio de Janeiro to one of the most acclaimed ballet companies in the US. Nowadays, she is the First Dancer of Dance Theatre of Harlem, a ballet company which is renowned worldwide for prioritizing Afro-descendant dancers in their casting.
Ingrid Silva gained global prominence by becoming the first black ballerina to have her pointe shoes the color of her skin. In 2020, her painted pointe shoes, which she used to paint with makeup in order to match her skin tone for years, are now exhibited in The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
In addition to being a world-famous ballet dancer, Ingrid stands out for her activism and is considered an important voice of her generation. In 2017, Ingrid founded the non-profit organization PodHer that aims to amplify women’s voices in matters regarding various areas and fosters female sorority. “We are a platform that generates opportunities for education and network for those aspiring to claim their own path”, said Ingrid Silva.
She is also the Co-Founder of Blacks in Ballet which highlights black ballet dancers and shares their stories. Every black ballet dancer has a different background, a different path, a different story to tell, and that’s what Blacks in Ballet wants to share with the world!