The GMA Inspiration List: Who's making Black history in 2021?
Influential Black Americans nominated these these trailblazers.
Who's making Black history right now? That's what Good Morning America and ABC News asked influential Black leaders, celebrities, intellectuals, entrepreneurs, athletes. Misty Copeland's nomination? Kyle Abraham, founder of the A.I.M. dance company and professor of Dance and Choreography at UCLA's Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance.
"Black History Month has become a time-honored tradition since it was first conceptualized as "Negro History Week" in 1925 by Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), and first celebrated in 1926. In 1976, honoring the heritage of Black Americans became a month-long celebration, officially recognized in the United States by President Gerald R. Ford.
Misty Copeland nominates UCLA Arts professor Kyle Abraham Now more than ever, February is a time to remember the people who have enriched the community with knowledge, pride and respect. We recognize the contributions, struggles and history of African Americans, and reflect on the idea that Black History is at the heart of American history. Welcome to the first GMA INSPIRATION LIST: Who's Making Black History Right Now?
Good Morning America and ABC News asked influential Black leaders, celebrities, intellectuals, entrepreneurs, athletes and more to nominate fellow Black Americans for the list. Most of these nominations are rising stars on the cusp of becoming household names, whose influence, we believe, will become monumental. They are "hidden figures" doing the work, gaining success and sharing their talent … making Black history right here, right now.
America, meet the next generation of Black excellence.
Misty Copeland nominates Kyle Abraham
Artistic Director Kyle Abraham’s voice, vision and choreography are the future of dance. In founding his own company, A.I.M., Kyle has long been creating works that tell stories of identity, history and community, earning him recognition as a MacArthur "Genius" Fellow. His expansion from creating pieces for the modern dance community to also including the classical ballet world, his work and artistry couldn’t be more timely and important. With the state and climate of the world today, Kyle’s presence as a Black creator in the very white ballet space has pushed boundaries, and is leading the way in an art form that doesn’t often represent Black people or tell our stories."— GMA Team, Feb. 1, 2021
This post is an excerpt. Read the full article on the ABC News website.
Read more about Kyle Abraham.
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