The Outlook Podcast Archive - The black ballerina who didn't give up

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Growing up in London, Julie Felix always dreamed of dancing on the city's most famous stages, but she says she ended up leaving the UK in the 1970s after a ballet company excluded her because of the colour of her skin. Instead, she became a star in the United States with the prestigious Dance Theatre of Harlem, the first classical ballet company to focus on black dancers. Under the tutelage of the great African-American dancer Arthur Mitchell, Julie travelled the world performing for the likes of the singer Prince, Pavarotti and President Ronald Reagan. A book has been written about Julie's life called Brickbats and Tutus. A shorter version of this story was first broadcast on 15th April 2021.

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com

Presenter & producer: Mariana Des Forges

Picture: A montage of photographs from Julie Felix's life
Credit: All photos courtesy of Julie Felix

Published on Saturday, 15th May 2021.

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