Mel Alexander Tomlinson (born January 3, 1954) is an American dancer and choreographer. At the time of his debut with the New York City Ballet in 1981, he was the only African-American dancer in the company. Ballet choreographer Agnes de Mille referred to Tomlinson as "the most exciting black dancer in America." … [Read more...] about Wednesday Open Thread: African-American Ballet Dancers
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Tuesday Open Thread: African-American Ballet Dancers
Nora Koito Kimball-Mentzos or simply Nora Kimball is a ballet teacher and former American ballerina, who is often overlooked for being one of the first African American female soloists—the second -- [at American Ballet Theatre (ABT). She danced with the ABT in the mid 1980's and as an African American who is also Asian American,preceded Misty Copeland, who is often credited as … [Read more...] about Tuesday Open Thread: African-American Ballet Dancers
Monday Open Thread: Iconic Hip Hop Moments In History
Good Morning POU! This week we will take a look at iconic and important moments in Hip Hop History. 40 years ago, no one though the genre would become the globally influencing behemoth that it is. Here's a look at some of the moments and events that helped to create this incredibly and undeniably "black" creation. 4 years after The SugarHill Gang released "Rapper's … [Read more...] about Monday Open Thread: Iconic Hip Hop Moments In History
Friday Open Thread: Historic Pop Culture Moments
Happy Friday POU! It is probably the epitome of irony that the most historic, iconic performances of the National Anthem, are performances by African-Americans: Jimi Hendrix, Marvin Gaye and Whitney Houston. Jimi Hendrix, Woodstock 1969 “The moment when he played ‘The Star-Spangled Banner, kinda stopped everything.” - Henry Ditz, official photographer for … [Read more...] about Friday Open Thread: Historic Pop Culture Moments
Thursday Open Thread: Historic Pop Culture Moments
Good Morning POU! Michael Jackson saves MTV When MTV launched, in 1981, it was an outlet for something that barely existed: The channel had about a hundred videos in its inventory, mostly by marginal or unpopular British and Australian bands. But it soon became the sun around which popular culture rotated. The MTV aesthetic during its golden age of 1981 to 1992—quick … [Read more...] about Thursday Open Thread: Historic Pop Culture Moments