BOSSIP’s Black History Hidden Gems: Anne Raven Wilkinson
- Wilkinson became one of the first black women to perform with a major ballet company, changing the art form.
- She faced discrimination but persisted, later advocating for greater access and opportunities for dancers of color.
- Wilkinson's legacy lives on through the dancers she mentored and the more inclusive ballet world she helped create.
Welcome back to BOSSIP's Black History Hidden GemsOur weekly Black History Month series dedicated to highlighting neglected black figures, moments and milestones. This series spotlights stories that history tried to erase, but legacy refused to forget.
Anne Raven Wilkinson was a groundbreaking ballerina whose life and career helped transform American ballet as we know it. At a time when classical dance was largely closed to black performers, Wilkinson broke barriers with quiet determination, artistic excellence, and an unwavering belief in her right to be heard on the most prestigious stages.
Born in 1935 in New York City, Wilkinson grew up in an era when segregation shaped almost every aspect of American life. As a child, she became fascinated by ballet after watching performances on television and in theaters. Yet even as her passion grew, she quickly became aware that ballet was not designed with dancers like her in mind—major companies were overwhelmingly white, and opportunities for black students were limited, if any.
Still, Wilkinson persisted. She took her education seriously from a young age, studying technique and dedicating herself to the strict standards of classical ballet. Her talent was undeniable, and her teachers recognized her discipline and musicality as she gradually developed into a sophisticated dancer. In a world that often said “no” to her, she chose to answer with something that could not be ignored: her talent.
Her breakthrough came in 1955, when she became a member of the prestigious Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. At the time, it was one of the most prominent ballet companies in the United States, touring widely and shaping the American public's understanding of classical dance. By becoming one of the first Black women to perform with a major, and predominantly white, ballet company, Wilkinson made history, changing the world of ballet forever.
However, this great achievement came at a cost. Touring in the segregated South meant she was sometimes banned from performing or forced to stay behind while the company traveled. Hotels, restaurants and venues often refused their service. She faced discrimination not only from society in general, but within the professional world she had worked so hard to get a place in. Nevertheless, she continued to dance with grace and professionalism, refusing to allow prejudice to reduce her artistry.
After several years with Ballet Russe, Wilkinson eventually left the company and shifted her focus to another passion project. Instead of stepping away from dance, she turned her energies to education, community involvement and advocacy. Having been through so much in her own life, she understood that true change would come not only from individual success, but from building pathways for others.
In her later years, one of her most important affiliations was with the Dance Theater of Harlemfounded a company to create opportunities for dancers of color. Wilkinson worked there as a teacher, coach and mentor, helping to shape young artists who would otherwise be denied access to high-level ballet training.
Wilkinson also became deeply involved in preserving dance history. She recognized that the stories of many black dancers had been ignored or forgotten, and she was determined to stop that cycle. She participated in oral history projects, collaborated with cultural institutions, and documented the experiences of dancers who have navigated racism and exclusion. In doing so, she helped ensure that future generations would understand both the struggles and triumphs of past pioneers that got them all to where they are today.
Wilkinson's influence can be seen in the success of later generations, including dancers such as Misty Copeland, who benefited from the doors opened by earlier predecessors. While each generation faces its own challenges, Wilkinson's career helped lay the foundation for a more inclusive ballet world.
Wilkinson passed away in 2018, leaving a legacy that extends far beyond titles or accolades. Their achievements were not only measured in performance, but in potential. She expanded the definition of who could be a ballerina and challenged institutions to confront their prejudices. She also nurtured young artists who would carry the art form far forward after her death.
Anne Raven Wilkinson was never afraid to enter spaces that were not built for her, showing her artistry as an act of resistance. She met injustice with dignity and in doing so she shaped the American ballet from within.
Today, her story stands as a reminder that cultural change often begins with individuals who dare to imagine where they have been told they don't belong. Through her own experiences as a dancer, and later instructing others like her, Wilkinson transformed ballet into a more open, honest and humane art form.
