Sports Illustrated and Empower Onyx are putting the spotlight on the diverse journeys of Black women across sports—from the veteran athletes, to up-and-coming stars, coaches, executives and more—in the series, Elle-evate: 100 Influential Black Women in Sports.
The female-founded American Ballet Theater, established by Lucia Chase, is one of the most revered dance companies—not just in America, but in the world. It’s existed for 80 years and is largely considered a national treasure that’s steeped in tradition and legacy. Janet Rolle’s goal is to maintain the integrity of the classic company while creatively looking for ways to expand the scope of both the audience and dancers. That’s important to consider as the company works to maintain its relevance, she says, because the world has “changed dramatically over the last 30 years.”
