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Alvin Ailey is born
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When Ailey was 5 his mom raped by a group of white men leaving him afraid of whites
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Ailey and his mom move to Los Angeles
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He was invited to New York to dance in House of Flowers by Truman Capote
In 1945, Ailey and his friend – Carmen De Lavallade – were invited to New York to dance in the Broadway show, House of Flowers by Truman Capote -
Ailey was introduced to the Hollywood studio of Lester Horton
Ailey was introduced to the Hollywood studio of Lester Horton by his school friend Carmen De Lavallade. -
Ailey began choreographing
Despite his youth and lack of experience (Ailey was only twenty-two and had choreographed only one dance in a workshop) he began choreographing, directing scene and costume designs and running rehearsals -
Ailey became the artistic director of Lester Horton's studios
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Ailey appeared in the Broadway show Jamaica
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Ailey formed the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre
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Ailey created his signature work, Revelations
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US State Department sponsored the Alvin Ailey Dance Companys first overseas tour
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Ailey was awarded the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP
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Alvin Dies of AIDS
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Ailey was inducted into the National Museum of Dance's Mr & Mrs.