Influential African American Dancers

A tribute to legendary dance performers over the years.

Gregory Hines  - The late Gregory Hines came from a family of dancers including his older brother, Maurice, and father, Maurice Hines, Sr. More than just a dancer, Hines was lead singer in a rock band and went on to a successful acting career before his death from liver caner in 2003.(Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images)

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Gregory Hines - The late Gregory Hines came from a family of dancers including his older brother, Maurice, and father, Maurice Hines, Sr. More than just a dancer, Hines was lead singer in a rock band and went on to a successful acting career before his death from liver caner in 2003.(Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Alvin Ailey - Decades after its founding and his death, the dance troupe he started (and named for him) remains among the most popular performing arts companies in the world. It still performs routines he choreographed. (Photo: Michael Evans/New York Times Co./Getty Images)

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Alvin Ailey - Alvin Ailey was one of the most influential dancers of the 20th century. The Texas native formed the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1958. His dance company, which is now run by Judith Jamison, has performed for over 20 million people in 71 countries on six continents.(Photo: Michael Evans/New York Times Co./Getty Images)

George Faison  - A former member of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, George Faison was the first African-American to win a Tony Award in choreography for his work on The Wiz. Faison added another trophy to his mantle when he won an Emmy Award for the HBO special The Josephine Baker Story. (Photo: Brian Killian/Getty Images)

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George Faison - A former member of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, George Faison was the first African-American to win a Tony Award in choreography for his work on The Wiz. Faison added another trophy to his mantle when he won an Emmy Award for the HBO special The Josephine Baker Story. (Photo: Brian Killian/Getty Images)

Judith Jamison - Judith Jamison, the artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, has kept Ailey?s legacy alive long after his death. Jamison joined the dance company in 1965 before returning in 1989, after which she choreographed numerous performances.(Photo: Henry S. Dziekan III/Getty Images)

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Judith Jamison - Judith Jamison, the artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, has kept Ailey’s legacy alive long after his death. Jamison joined the dance company in 1965 before returning in 1989, after which she choreographed numerous performances.(Photo: Henry S. Dziekan III/Getty Images)

Savion Glover: November 19 - The celebrated tap dancer celebrates his 38th birthday.(Photo: Donna Ward/Getty Images)

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Savion Glover - Savion Glover made tap dancing cool again during the 1990s as the choreographer for Bring in da Noise, Bring in da Funk, for which he won a Tony Award. Glover has continued to bring tap dancing to youth and minorities through his HooFeRzCluB School for Tap in Newark, New Jersey.(Photo: Donna Ward/Getty Images)

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Paula Abdul: June 19 - The singer, dancer, choreographer and television host celebrates her 49th birthday. (Photo credit: Ray Mickshaw/FOX/PictureGroup)

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Paula Abdul - Long before she was a judge on American Idol, Paula Abdul was one of the most talented dancers and choreographers of the 1980s. When she wasn’t working with Janet Jackson in choreographing her music videos, Abdul was a cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo: Ray Mickshaw/FOX/PictureGroup)

Photo By Ray Mickshaw/FOX/PictureGroup

Michael Jackson - ?The King of Pop? was more than just a singer. His ability to dance was just as impressive as his ability to sing. Growing up, one of Michael Jackson?s major influences was James Brown.(Photo: Ian Barkley / PictureGroup)

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Michael Jackson - “The King of Pop” was more than just a singer. His ability to dance was just as impressive as his ability to sing. Growing up, one of Michael Jackson’s major influences was James Brown.(Photo: Ian Barkley / PictureGroup)

Laurieann Gibson - A former ?Fly Girl? on In Living Color, dancer Laurieann Gibson has choreographed routines for some of the biggest pop stars in music including Diddy and Lady Gaga. The Toronto native has a BET reality series tapped for the fall titled Born to Dance: Laurieann Gibson.(Photo: Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for The Giving Lounge)

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Laurieann Gibson - A former “Fly Girl” on In Living Color, dancer Laurieann Gibson has choreographed routines for some of the biggest pop stars in music including Diddy and Lady Gaga. The Toronto native has a BET reality series tapped for the fall titled Born to Dance: Laurieann Gibson.(Photo: Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for The Giving Lounge)

Bill "Bojangles" Robinson - Bill ?Bojangles? Robinson was a tap dancer and star in the Black comedy scene during the 1930s. However, Robinson is best known for dancing with actress Shirley Temple. He was credited as the first Black male to dance on film with a Caucasian girl.(Photo: Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images)

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Bill "Bojangles" Robinson - Bill “Bojangles” Robinson was a tap dancer and star in the Black comedy scene during the 1930s. However, Robinson is best known for dancing with actress Shirley Temple. He was credited as the first Black male to dance on film with a Caucasian girl.(Photo: Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images)

The Nicholas Brothers - Fayard and Harold Nicholas were considered the greatest tap dancers of their era. The Nicholas Brothers became stars during the Harlem Renaissance thanks to their famous “flash dancing” routine. Michael Jackson and Debbie Allen are just two of the famous dancers who studied under the tutelage of the Nicholas Brothers.(Photo: www.nicholasbrothers.com)

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The Nicholas Brothers - Fayard and Harold Nicholas were considered the greatest tap dancers of their era. The Nicholas Brothers became stars during the Harlem Renaissance thanks to their famous “flash dancing” routine. Michael Jackson and Debbie Allen are just two of the famous dancers who studied under the tutelage of the Nicholas Brothers.(Photo: www.nicholasbrothers.com)

Photo By Photo: www.nicholasbrothers.com

Katherine Dunham - Katherine Dunham was known as the “Matriarch and Queen Mother of Black Dance" performing across the United States and Europe from the 1940s to the '60s. When she was done performing, Dunham started the Katherine Dunham Dance Company, the only self-subsidized Black dance troupe at the time.(Photo: CBS /Landov)

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Katherine Dunham - Katherine Dunham was known as the “Matriarch and Queen Mother of Black Dance" performing across the United States and Europe from the 1940s to the '60s. When she was done performing, Dunham started the Katherine Dunham Dance Company, the only self-subsidized Black dance troupe at the time.(Photo: CBS /Landov)