First Negro Centennial

First Negro Centennial originated as Alvin Ailey’s choreographic contribution to Duke Ellington’s My People, a performance to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. Duke Ellington invited Alvin Ailey and Talley Beatty to create dances for the work. The three pieces that Mr. Ailey choreographed—The Blues Ain’t, a section of Black, Brown and Beige, and My Mother, My Father—were the centerpiece of the festival. Mr. Ailey later took his contributions and staged them for the Company as First Negro Centennial.