Ballroom: A History, a Movement, a Celebration

A gorgeous, authoritative, and image-filled celebration of pageantry and community created by ballroom culture for Black and Brown LGBTQIA+ people.

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. Thanks to shows like Pose and Legendary, it has grown into a global phenomenon. It offers refuge from the threats and violence against the LGBTQIA+ community while also serving as a testament to the radical nature of queer joy with its pageantry and commitment to chosen family.

Ballroom: A History, A Movement, A Celebration is an exhaustively researched tome honoring where Ballroom began and where it is now. It explores how Ballroom has served the Black and Brown LGBTQIA+ community. Bringing both an authoritative and entertaining sweep to this hugely important and influential cultural sensation, this book 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.


Author: Michael Roberson
Publisher: Running Press Adult
Published: 07/08/2025
Pages: 240
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 2.20lbs
Size: 9.10h x 8.20w x 0.90d
ISBN: 9780762489084


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 04/28/2025
Kirkus Reviews 06/01/2025

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.