Local Black dance icons inducted into Lincoln Theatre's 'Walk of Fame'

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Saturday night, two icons of Black dance in Columbus were inducted into the Lincoln Theatre’s ‘Walk of Fame.’

For eight years, the theater has welcomed more than 20 Columbus natives who have made community contributions through their careers. 

Organizers said the night was all about honoring two pioneers: Alice Grant and Bettye Robinson. Both women have inspired youth to pursue dance as a career. Adding their names to the ‘Walk of Fame’ is just one way of ensuring that their legacies live on. 

“I feel like I'm so blessed and so honored that the people here in Columbus think enough for me to give me this recommendation and blessing,” Grant said.

“The people were fabulous here, you know, to want to even honor my mother. I'm just so thrilled,” Gretchen Taylor, the daughter of honoree Bettye Robinson, said. 

Tonight both Grant and Taylor, along with close family and friends, went to unveil the latest additions to the ‘Walk of Fame.’ Both Grant and Robinson are from Columbus and have helped pave the way for younger generations. 

Grant owned the Alice Grant Dance Studio in Columbus for 18 years. 

“(Dance) allowed me to travel all over the world, to get two degrees in colleges and jobs and then be able to come and open the dance studio and teach other children in the community how to dance,” Grant said. 

Robinson was the founder of the first Black ballet company and school in Columbus. She was a mentor and teacher in Columbus from 1960-1990. 

“She would say, you know, 'Feel the music, just feel what the music does to you and when you know certain things,' she said, 'you don't have to listen to my music. It could be in your head,'” said Taylor.

Suzan Bradford, the executive director for the Lincoln Theatre, said both Grant and Robinson completed many milestones over the years. 

“Even in the sense of segregation and racism, (they) really still pushed through because of the love of dance. They have made opportunity and created opportunity for young people, both males and females, to find their way in dance,” Bradford said.

Both Grant and Taylor said their advice to young dancers is to practice and never stop chasing your dreams.