Alicia Graf Mack is the Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and a former principal dancer with the world-renowned company. She returned to AILEY following a successful tenure at The Juilliard School, where she served as Dean and Director of the Dance Division from 2018 to 2025 — becoming the first Black person and the youngest individual to hold the position.

Born in San Jose, California, and raised in Columbia, Maryland, Ms. Graf Mack began her professional career with Dance Theatre of Harlem under the direction of Arthur Mitchell. She quickly rose to prominence as a principal ballerina, later performing with Complexions Contemporary Ballet and making guest appearances with Alonzo King LINES Ballet.

A celebrated and versatile artist, she has collaborated with a wide range of luminaries including Beyoncé, John Legend, André 3000, Alicia Keys, and Jon Batiste. Her distinguished performance career includes appearances at major galas and festivals, tributes to icons such as Carmen de Lavallade at the 2017 Kennedy Center Honors, and memorials for Arthur Mitchell at Riverside Church and Jessye Norman at the Metropolitan Opera House.

Ms. Graf Mack holds a BA in History from Columbia University (magna cum laude, with honors) and an MA in Nonprofit Management from Washington University in St. Louis. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from The Juilliard School in 2025, and her accolades include Smithsonian Magazine's American Innovator of the Arts and Sciences, Columbia University's Medal of Excellence, the 2023 Dance Magazine Award, the 2025 Columbia Black Alumni Heritage Award, and the 2025 EBONY 100 award.

Alicia is the host and co-producer of Legacy in Motion with AILEY, a podcast spotlighting conversations with groundbreaking artists in the field of dance. She debuts Introducing Rhythm, her first children's book, in 2026 — fulfilling a long-time dream of becoming a published author.

Justin Campbell is an author/illustrator and professional performer based in New York City. With a love of mixing visual and performance art, and inspired by his background in dance, movement, and theater, Justin desires to be the “griot” of the family.  Writing stories that explore and celebrate the interconnectivity, imperfection, and uniqueness of BIPOC people allows him to continually challenge stereotypes, revealing softness, gentleness, and vulnerability. 

​Justin writes for the child he once was, who struggled to navigate a world that did not see him. His greatest wish is to be a true storyteller OF and FOR the world by adding to the legacy of BIPOC stories and characters, paying tribute to ancestral influence, and helping facilitate change for the future.

“When illustrating Introducing Rhythm, I saw so much of my story in her journey and in even creating this book, I discovered my own voice, my rhythm. So this book is a ‘thank you’ to all of the friends, family, and mentors who believed in me and continuously whispered wonderful affirmations of always following my ‘north star’ and to let my light shine.”

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