WCLK congratulates Nena Gilreath and Waverly T. Lucas II—among the newest inductees into the Atlanta Business League Hall of Fame. In 1990, this dynamic duo turned old classrooms in an unused East Point school into staging areas where young black children learned ballet. Both Gilreath (a classically trained prima ballerina) and Lucas (a choreographer) are former Dance Theater of Harlem performers who have traveled the world showcasing their craft. They founded the Ballethnic Dance Company to bring the artistry and discipline of dance to children of color in urban Atlanta communities. The culmination of each year’s classes is traditionally a uniquely Atlanta performance called the “Urban Nutcracker.” Lucas, Gilreath, and those they’ve trained, have performed in many high-profile venues such as at the 1996 Cultural Olympiad and the Lincoln Center’s Out-of-Doors series. Ballethnic has received the National Choreographers Award, the Charles Loridans Award and has been featured in Essence Magazine. The Atlanta Business League will induct them into the Hall of Fame at their 83rd Annual Meeting on Tuesday, November 15th at the Delta Flight Museum. Ticket information is available at www.AtlantaBusinessLeague.org.
November 15: Atlanta Business League Honors Nena Gilreath & Waverly T. Lucas II
