The ballet world is on an admirable mission to create more black ballet dancers. But former Dance Theatre of Harlem member Theresa Ruth Howard warns that schools need to consider the unique hurdles black students face.

Like other little girls, you fall in love with ballet in a dark theater, and lean over to your mother to ask, “Can I do that?” But then you step into a world where no one resembles you—not the receptionist, your teacher, your classmates or the people in the posters on the wall. You feel uneasy. The pink tights and shoes you wear for class bear no resemblance to your dark-colored legs. You would like to blend in, but your skin, your hair, your body make it impossible.