Pearl Primus

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Pearl Primus (29 November 1919, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago - 29 October 1994) dancer, choreographer and anthropologist.

Pearl Primus emigrated to the United States on board the S.S. Voltaire and arrived at Ellis Island on 24 June 1924. According to the passenger list she was six years old. She made her theatrical debut on February 24th, 1943 at the 92nd Street YM-YWHA as a social-protest dancer in New York City Her concerns and expression fit into the landscape of the ongoing Harlem renaissance and gained much public support, and was immediately graced with attention after her first professional solo debut. Her dances were inspired by revolutionary African-American choreographer Katharine Dunham. She became known for her singular ability to jump very high while dancing. She focused on matters such as oppression, racial prejudice, and violence. Her efforts were also subsidized by the United States government who encouraged African American artistic endeavors that placed them in a positive light.

Pearl Primus studied at the New Dance Group's school in New York City. She was nurtured by the school's politicized approach to making art "for the people." Their sentiment was that dance was to be used as a tool to reform.