Ingrid Silva

Ingrid Silva is a world-famous Brazilian ballet dancer, activist, and cultural ambassador within the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Ingrid was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro and began dancing at the age of 8.  

She started classical ballet at a community - reach out program Dançando Para Não Dançar which was a program training young people who could not afford dance classes. 

At the age of 18, Silva moved to New York to join the Dance Theatre of Harlem on a full scholarship, but did not initially speak English and had to work as a dog walker, nanny, and other opportunities to survive. At times, her relationship with dance changed drastically with having ups and downs of being a mother. 

Currently, she became one of the greatest activists as she co-founded Blacks in Ballet highlighting the work of Black dancers and providing educational resources. Additionally, establishing EmpowHer that connects women and their work.

Her greatest achievements is paving the way for dancers by wearing shoes that match the color of her skin by design and creating movements to make brown-tinted pointe shoes more available.

Ingrid Silva is important to the dance community because she is a "world-famous ballerina, activist, and champion of diversity and inclusion." She is known for advocating for the Afro-decensing community in the world of dance. 

She was the first ballerina to have the color of her pointe shoes match her skin color. Additionally, she was a voice of empowerment for all women in and outside of the dance community.