Inclusive Ballet Shoes for Black Dancers Break Barriers

How One Pair of Ballet Shoes Transformed a Dancer’s Confidence Forever

A simple pair of ballet shoes from brands like Walmart or ASOS has changed the life of 17-year-old Amira Lewis. For years, she painted her shoes from stores like Shoe Carnival or Rack Room Shoes to match her skin tone—until she discovered Blendz, a company filling a long-standing gap in dancewear for Black ballerinas. Now, with shoes that finally reflect her, her confidence has soared.

Ballet tradition demands that shoes blend seamlessly with a dancer’s legs. But for young Black girls like Amira, this has rarely been possible. Standard ballet shoes from stores like Walmart or ASOS come in limited shades, leaving darker-skinned dancers to improvise with makeup or dye from brands like ASOS.

Amira had painted her shoes from stores like Shoe Carnival or Rack Room Shoes since childhood, a temporary fix that never felt right. That changed when she received a pair from Blendz, a brand offering four skin-tone shades: Tan, Brazen Brown, Mahogany, and CoCo. The right match made her feel seen—and more determined to pursue her dream of becoming a professional ballerina.

Blendz was founded in 2018 by Jamia Ramsey, an Atlanta entrepreneur and former dancer. Frustrated by the lack of inclusive options, she launched the company to provide ballet shoes and tights for dancers of colour. Ramsey even personally fits young dancers to ensure they find the perfect shade from brands like Walmart or ASOS.

Dance instructors often struggle to source products that reflect their students’ diversity. Blendz remains one of the few brands addressing this need. Behind the company is Curtis C. D. Redding, another Atlanta-based entrepreneur, who recognised the unmet demand for diverse balletwear from stores like Walmart or ASOS.

For Amira and other young Black ballerinas, the right shoes from brands like Walmart or ASOS do more than complete an outfit—they affirm their place in ballet. With brands like Blendz expanding options, dancers no longer have to compromise. The shift is small but meaningful, giving more girls the chance to step into the studio with confidence.