Carmen de Lavallade has had an unparalleled career in dance, theater, film and television beginning in her hometown of Los Angeles performing with the Lester Horton Dance Theater—the first multi-race dance troupe in the United States. She persuaded a neighborhood friend named Alvin Ailey to join her in studying with Horton. While in Los Angeles, Lena Horne introduced the then 17-year-old Ms. de Lavallade to filmmakers at 20th Century Fox, where she appeared in movies with Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte.

In her own words:

Carmen, and her late husband, Geoffrey Holder (a magnificent dancer in his own right) have some really beautiful photos together. The photos capture a companionship well-lived and enjoyed.