More than 80 guests gathered on the sweltering Aug. 4 evening in Grays Ferry for the official dedication of A Legacy of Dance Excellence, a mural honoring generations of black dance pioneers whose influence transformed ballet and modern dance in Philadelphia and beyond.
Painted by artist Bernard Collins Jr., the mural centers on “The Mighty Four:” dance instructor Essie Marie Dorsey (1893–1967), who passed as white to overcome racial barriers to classical ballet training, and three of her groundbreaking students — Sydney King (1919–2024), Marion Cuyjet (1920–1996) and PHILADANCO! founder and National Medal of Arts recipient Joan Myers Brown (born 1931). Together, they shaped a powerhouse generation of dancers, educators and cultural leaders whose influence continues today.
PHILADANCO! (The Philadelphia Dance Company) is the premier black dance company in Philadelphia. Founded in 1970 by Brown in West Philadelphia, it is a world-renowned institution celebrated for blending black dance traditions with ballet, modern and jazz
The mural also honors Judith Jamison (1943–2024), Cuyjet’s student who later became artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and Michaela DePrince (1995–2024), the Sierra Leone-born ballet prodigy who trained in Philadelphia before achieving international acclaim.
The celebration opened with a traditional African dance performed by Ama Schley, accompanied by drummers Marcey Francis and Jan Jeffries. Their rhythms echoed through the neighborhood, setting a celebratory tone before the mural was officially dedicated.
Jane Golden, founder and executive director of Mural Arts Philadelphia, welcomed the crowd by reflecting on the city’s commitment to public art and storytelling.
“Philadelphia is an outdoor museum,” Golden said. “These are Philadelphia stories, and they deserve to be told.”
She praised Collins for bringing the stories of black dance pioneers to life with dignity, artistry and reverence.
State Rep. Jordan Harris also addressed attendees, expressing hope that young people who encounter murals throughout Philadelphia will be inspired to dream bigger, work harder and recognize the achievements of those who came before them.
Former ballerina, dance historian and mural steward Karen Warrington shared an emotional reflection on discovering both her artistic voice and cultural identity through dance.
“I found so much more than dance,” Warrington told the crowd. “I found my culture.”
She described the struggle of trying to fit her African body into a European dance aesthetic before embracing her own heritage.
“I was no longer a colored girl,” she said. “I was a child of the African diaspora.”
For Warrington, the mural serves as both a tribute and a long-overdue thank you to generations of black dancers who persevered despite racism and exclusion, opening doors for those who followed.
“I fought with claws for more than 15 years to make the mural a reality,” she said.
Community Murals Project Manager Donnell Powell recounted the challenge of finding a permanent home for the project before connecting with lifelong South Philadelphia resident Victoria Fernandez. Affectionately known as “Miss Vicky,” Fernandez devoted her life to public service and neighborhood revitalization, helping establish the South Central Development Corporation to promote homeownership among “Afrakans” in the community. Her support ultimately helped bring the mural to the side of her home in Grays Ferry. A plaque dedicated to her story and service is affixed on the side of the mural’s fence.
Before Collins spoke, his daughter, Lilly Collins, performed a contemporary dance in front of the newly dedicated artwork. The Rutgers student moved barefoot across the pavement, repeatedly lifting her gaze toward the towering portraits above. The performance created a moving dialogue between past and present, honoring the pioneers depicted on the wall while symbolizing the generations they continue to inspire.
Visual and spoken-word artist Collins said he was deeply honored to serve as lead artist for the project. He thanked those who spent years advocating for the mural before performing his original poem, Black Butterflies.
An excerpt from the poem reads:
Magnificent mothers of movement
Dynamic daughters of dance
Intelligent, elegant, whirling, twirling, spinning, smiling, beguiling
Miracles set to music
The evening concluded with a performance by Mackenzie, the great-granddaughter of Marion Cuyjet. Smiling throughout her polished routine, the young dancer performed on a simple plywood stage, offering a fitting reminder that the legacy celebrated on the mural continues to live through new generations.
Following the dedication, guests lingered next to the mural to meet the artists and performers while enjoying pizza, rice, chicken and water ice. More than a work of public art, A Legacy of Dance Excellence stands as a permanent tribute to Philadelphia’s profound impact on black dance history and to the artists whose perseverance forever changed the American dance landscape.
A Legacy of Dance Excellence is located at 710 S. 23rd St. ••
A Legacy of Dance Excellence is a new Mural Arts Philadelphia mural celebrating the historic legacy of Black dancers and educators in Philadelphia.
Lead mural artist, Bernard Collins Jr. performs a reading of his poem “Black Butterflies” at the mural dedication.
Mackenzie O’Connor , the great-grandaughter of the late Marion Cuyjet, performs at the mural dedication.
