1. Sabina Jodi Laura

2.  Born January 5, 1931 in Rogers, Texas  Attended Thomas Jefferson High School  He admired Gene Kelley and Fred Astaire  Lester Horton was his mentor  Formed Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1958  Received Kennedy Center Honors in 1988  Died December 1, 1989 at the age of 58

3. Founded The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) in 1958 in New York City Signature work: Revelations in 1960 Uses personal experience and beliefs of black people and great theatrical skill Merged popular dance styles First black company to travel for John F. Kennedy’s program.

4.  “Revelations” is believed to be the best known and most often seen modern dance performance. Introduced in 1960. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XezU_P7vG x4  “Cry” is a dance made for his mother, and all strong black women.

5.  “What we do is celebrate people. That’s all we are about.”  “Sometimes you feel bad about yourself when there is no reason to.”

6.  Alvin Ailey Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2012..  "Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater." Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2012..  "Alvin Ailey Dance." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 19 Oct. 2012. Web. 12 Nov. 2012..  "Alvin Ailey." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2012..  Dunning, Jennifer. "DANCE VIEW; Alvin Ailey: Believer in the Power of Dance." The New York Times. The New York Times, 10 Dec. 1989. Web. 12 Nov. 2012..  Michaelsen Steen, Hallvord Reiar. "The Contribution of Katherine Dunham and Alvin Ailey to Modern Dance1." Hallvord.com / DANCE / Dunham and Ailey's Contribution to Modern Dance. N.p., 6 Nov. 1999. Web. 12 Nov. 2012..  " PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2012..  "World Biography." Alvin Ailey Biography. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2012..