Arthur Mitchell, the trailblazing African-American dancer who called himself "the grandfather of diversity," died on Wednesday, September 19, according to the Dance Theatre of Harlem's Facebook page. He was 84.

Mitchell is seen shortly after joining the New York City Ballet in 1955. He was invited by George Balanchine, the "father of American ballet," after catching Balanchine's eye at the School of American Ballet.
Mitchell is seen shortly after joining the New York City Ballet in 1955. He was invited by George Balanchine, the "father of American ballet," after catching Balanchine's eye at the School of American Ballet.
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Mitchell dances in 1963.
Mitchell dances in 1963.
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Mitchell and Suzanne Farrell dance in Balanchine's groundbreaking modernist ballet "Agon" in 1963.
Mitchell and Suzanne Farrell dance in Balanchine's groundbreaking modernist ballet "Agon" in 1963.
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Mitchell stands in the middle of dancers of the Black Ballet Company in 1973. Revered for his artistic accomplishments, Mitchell was driven by the belief that dance can effect social change.
Mitchell stands in the middle of dancers of the Black Ballet Company in 1973. Revered for his artistic accomplishments, Mitchell was driven by the belief that dance can effect social change.
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Mitchell and Karel Shook pose for a picture in the 1970s. Motivated by the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., they started the Dance Theatre Of Harlem, an all-black classical ballet company, in 1969.
Mitchell and Karel Shook pose for a picture in the 1970s. Motivated by the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., they started the Dance Theatre Of Harlem, an all-black classical ballet company, in 1969.
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Entertainer Lena Horne dances with Mitchell at a New York restaurant as she was honored by the Dance Theatre of Harlem in 1982.
Entertainer Lena Horne dances with Mitchell at a New York restaurant as she was honored by the Dance Theatre of Harlem in 1982.
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Mitchell poses for a portrait in 1985.
Mitchell poses for a portrait in 1985.
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President Bill Clinton and first lady Hillary Clinton applaud the recipients of the 1993 Kennedy Center Honors, including Mitchell, in the East Room of the White House.
President Bill Clinton and first lady Hillary Clinton applaud the recipients of the 1993 Kennedy Center Honors, including Mitchell, in the East Room of the White House.
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Mitchell, as artistic director of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, works with dancers in 2003. The dancers, from left, are Ebony Haswell, Amy Johnson and Rejane Duarte.
Mitchell, as artistic director of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, works with dancers in 2003. The dancers, from left, are Ebony Haswell, Amy Johnson and Rejane Duarte.
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Mitchell appears in New York in 2004.
Mitchell appears in New York in 2004.
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Mitchell instructs young ballerinas during a class in 2004.
Mitchell instructs young ballerinas during a class in 2004.
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Mitchell introduces dancers at a White House event honoring the Dance Theatre of Harlem in 2006.
Mitchell introduces dancers at a White House event honoring the Dance Theatre of Harlem in 2006.
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Mitchell and singer Harry Belafonte hug at a Dance Theatre of Harlem gala in 2012.
Mitchell and singer Harry Belafonte hug at a Dance Theatre of Harlem gala in 2012.
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Mitchell poses for a portrait in December 2017, at the Lenfest Center for the Arts in New York.
Mitchell poses for a portrait in December 2017, at the Lenfest Center for the Arts in New York.
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