Debra Austin (born July 25, 1955) is an American ballet dancer who rose to prominence in 1982 when she was promoted to the rank of principal dancer at Pennsylvania Ballet, making her the first African-American female principal dancer of a major American ballet company. She was also the first African-American female dancer at the New York City Ballet. She currently serves as the ballet mistress for the Carolina Ballet.
First African-American woman to become a principal dancer of the Pennsylvania Ballet: Debra Austin
Tags: Ballet
Recent Posts
- How Eliza Grier Overcame Enormous Odds to Become Georgia’s First Licensed Black Woman Doctor in 1898
- Arsenio Hall: Meet The First Black Late-Night Talk Show Host Who Redefined TV Entertainment
- Frank Scott Jr.: Little Rock’s First Elected Black Mayor Leads with Vision for Growth and Community
- Augusta Group Celebrates Georgia’s First Black Teacher with New Downtown Monument
- Mildred ‘Lighting Bae’ Moyo Becomes First Black African Woman to Earn Master’s in Light in Performance
