Ballet Black is a British charitable organisation registered under number 1101599, dedicated to increasing representation and opportunities for Black and Asian dancers in classical ballet. Founded in 2001 by Cassa Pancho MBE, it operates as a professional neoclassical ballet company while delivering educational outreach programmes.

History

Established with the vision of "Change Not Trend", Ballet Black emerged to address the underrepresentation of Black and Asian artists in mainstream ballet. Pancho sought to diversify classical ballet both onstage and behind the scenes, while cultivating audiences reflective of multicultural communities[1][2]. Over two decades, the company has commissioned over 65 new works, including pieces by emerging female choreographers, and performed at more than 100 UK venues[2].

Mission and Activities

The organisation focuses on three core areas:

• Performance: Maintaining a professional troupe of international dancers specialising in neoclassical and contemporary ballet.
• Education: Providing community classes for all ages and skill levels to broaden participation in ballet[3].
• Advocacy: Promoting systemic change in ballet training, recruitment, and storytelling to ensure long-term industry diversity[2].

In 2023, Ballet Black reported £968,629 in total income, including £324,048 in government grants, and spent £960,599 directly on charitable activities[5].

Recognition

Ballet Black became the first UK dance company to receive all three Critics Circle National Dance Awards, acknowledging its artistic excellence and pioneering role in diversifying ballet[2]. The company’s long-term goal remains fostering sufficient representation in mainstream companies to render its own existence unnecessary[3].

Governance

As a charity, Ballet Black employs 12 staff members and is governed by a board of 10 trustees[5]. Its operational model combines professional productions with grassroots initiatives to effect sector-wide change in dancer demographics and audience engagement.

[1] https://balletblack.co.uk/support-us/ [2] https://balletblack.co.uk [3] https://balletblack.co.uk/the-company/ [4] https://balletblack.co.uk/friends/ [5] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1101599&subId=0