June 4

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (DC Public Library)

Brought to you by Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (DC Public Library)

More than a dance, more than a scene—Ballroom is a defiant celebration of life, identity, and fierce creativity that refuses to be silenced.

With roots reaching back to the 1880s, the subculture of Ballroom emerged in Harlem in the ‘60s out of a need for safe and inclusive spaces for Black and Brown queer people, in which family-like “Houses” competed at performative balls, allowing members of this marginalized groups to shine. Recently, thanks to shows like Pose and Legendary, it has grown into a global phenomenon, with Ballroom Houses flourishing from Paris to Tokyo as a new generation discovers the thrill of the walk, the pose, and the performance that defines Ballroom excellence.

BALLROOM: A History, A Movement, A Celebration (June 3, 2025; Running Press) by activist and cultural leader Michael Roberson with contributions by Mikelle Street, is an exhaustively researched tome honoring the history of Ballroom and exploring how the art form has served the Black and Brown LGBTQIA+ community, offering refuge from the threats and violence against the community while also serving as a testament to the radical nature of queer joy with its pageantry and commitment to chosen family.

Bringing both an authoritative and entertaining sweep to this hugely important and influential cultural sensation, BALLROOM is filled with photos, interviews, and stories, presenting a captivating, well-documented narrative about not only how to survive but how to do so fashionably, glamorously, and in the company of one another.

About the Author:

Michael Roberson is a multifaceted figure in the LGBTQ+ community, serving as a theologian, public health practitioner, activist, artist, and cultural leader. He holds academic positions at C-RRED, The New School University, and Union Theological Seminary in NYC. Roberson is deeply involved in the House Ball Community, having founded four major houses and co-founded The Ballroom Freedom School. He co-conceptualized the House Lives Matters National Leadership Initiative and edits the “Arts Everywhere/Ballroom Freedom School” publication. His influence extends to mainstream media, having worked as a cultural consultant for the FX series Pose. Roberson’s work focuses on uplifting Black/Latinx LGBTQ+ individuals through various platforms and initiatives.

Sponsored by the DC Public Library Foundation and the Capital Pride Alliance