The Swans of Harlem (Adapted for Young Adults): Five Black Ballerinas, a Legacy of Sisterhood, and Their Reclamation of a Groundbreaking History

This young-adult adaptation tells the history of five Black ballerinas connected with the early Dance Theatre of Harlem, including founding members. At a time when racism excluded Black dancers from major classical dance companies, the women built professional careers and helped make Black classical dancers more visible. The account includes Lydia Abarca, Shelia Rohan, Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Karlya Shelton, and Marcia Sells, and follows their later reunion to record their shared history.