In celebration of Black History Month, First Lady Michelle Obama hosted an historic event Monday (February 8) in which 51 talented young black female dancers showed off their prowess, grace and athleticism in several rooms of the White House.
Dance legend Debbie Allen taught an electrifying African Master Class.
Famed choreographer Fatima Robinson taught hip-hop in the White House Dip room while ballet was being conducted in the East Room, and a Alvin Ailey instructor conducted class in the Blue Room.
#Repost @therealdebbieallen ??? Honey!!!!! Things are heating up at the @WhiteHouse!!! #DanceAtTheWhiteHouse #BlackHiatoryMonth A video posted by The Art Of Movement (@theartofmovementdanceacademy) on
When speaking to the young dancers, Michelle Obama encouraged them to keep reaching and perfecting their craft so that one day, news of their success won’t be considered so historic.
“Looking out at these beautiful, talented young women, I know that we have the power to keep reaching higher and defying the odds, and achieving those firsts, and seconds, and thirds, and hundreds, and thousands until a black principal dancer is no longer a cause for headlines. And our children are limited only by the size of their dreams and their willingness to work for them.”