Journalist Karen Valby's first book, The Swans of Harlem, introduces readers to the little-known history of the Dance Theater of Harlem, which was founded in 1969 by Arthur Mitchell. Using interviews and research from print archives, Valby deftly crafts information into a compelling narrative centered around the company's ballerinas. The fact that none of the names were familiar to me demonstrated the need for the book's existence. I really enjoy histories like this that focus intimately on a small group of people.

The Swans of Harlem opens shortly after Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination, a time when many people felt called to lift up Black communities. Arthur Mitchell answered that call with his decision to open a ballet school that cultivated the talents of Black dancers. He found initial interest but discovered that potential donors would often back out. Undeterred, he ...