It is not enough. Thoughts, prayers, saying, “I stand with the Black community”—it is not enough.

I am a 66-year-old white woman. Now, when our streets, our world, our hearts are on fire, what do I say? What do I do?

I have no answers.

What I know is that when I bring dancers of disparate backgrounds together to create, there is a new vibration in the room.

What I know is that when a representative ballet company performs for middle-schoolers in Canarsie, the audience is riveted—and, then erupts in wild applause.

What I know is that when the curtain closes on The Brooklyn Nutcracker, the security guard from the Guggenheim and his family, people of color, are moved to tears.

Art can matter, that’s all I know.

I am committed to a creative process that engages, inspires, uplifts and provides for our community.

Since its founding in 2002, Brooklyn Ballet has made an unwavering commitment to create a community of diversity and inclusivity, bridging divides of culture and class. This is who we are, why we exist. Today, and everyday we stand in solidarity with the Black community in calling for justice.

We are here to amplify the voices that need to be heard. We will not rest in our mission to use ballet, art, conversation and education to combat racism, create opportunity, fuel rightful empowerment and build a community of hope and unity.

We mourn the senseless deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and too many others. This must end.

Lynn Parkerson
Founding Artistic Director