Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT)The New York City Center’s principal dance company. "The mission of Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation is to further the pioneering vision of the choreographer, dancer, and cultural leader Alvin Ailey by building an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and education, and community programs for all people. This performing arts community plays a crucial social role, using the beauty and humanity of the African-American heritage and other cultures to unite people of all races, ages, and backgrounds." March 1958: first performance of Alvin Ailey and a group of young, black modern dancers. In 1962, Ailey changed his all-black dance company into a multi-racial group.