The Swans of Harlem: Five Black Ballerinas, Fifty Years of Sisterhood, and Their Reclamation of a Groundbreaking History

Captivating, rich in vivid detail and character, and steeped in the glamour and grit of professional ballet, The Swans of Harlem is a riveting account of five extraordinarily accomplished women, a celebration of both their historic careers and the sustaining, grounding power of female friendship, and a window into the robust history of Black ballet, hidden for too long.

These Swans of Harlem performed for the Queen of England, Mick Jagger, and Stevie Wonder, on the same bill as Josephine Baker, at the White House, and beyond. But decades later there was almost no record of their groundbreaking history to be found. Out of a sisterhood that had grown even deeper with the years, these Swans joined forces again—to share their story with the world.

Hear the story from Sheila Rohan, founding member of the Dance Theatre of Harlem. 

Sheila Rohan is a founding member of the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Sheila toured extensively in the United States, the Caribbean and Europe, performing as soloist in several works in the repertoire, including “Dougla”,” Biofera”, “Tones” and Rhythmetron”. Sheila performed with dance companies, both ballet and modern. She was soloist and Ballet Mistress with the Nanette Bearden Contemporary Dance Theatre and toured China and Korea with the Myung Sook Chun Dance Company, a modern dance troupe.

Sheila is currently on the Board of Directors of the Romare Bearden Foundation, a Founding Member of Clark Center NYC, and a performer with 5 Plus Ensemble, a theater group for dancers over 50.

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