Although blackness influenced much of Alvin Ailey's work, he ultimately felt that the importance lay with the dancer rather than race. Ailey told the New York Times: "I'm trying to show the world that we're all human beings and that color doesn't matter. What's important is the quality of our work." Alvin Ailey, iconic American choreographer, was born on January 5, 1931 in Rogers, Texas. Being African American born in the South influenced much of Ailey's later work. He grew up at the height of racial segregation, lynchings and violence. Ailey's mother, Lula Ailey, had him at 17, his father, Alvin, abandoned his family. Alvin Ailey's history and experiences in the South dramatically changed his view of whiteness. He drew inspiration from his church, his local dance hall, and the music he heard at these black gatherings. At the age of 12, Ailey's family moved to Los Angeles to seek different job opportunities. There, Ailey's interests took off and he became involved in dance. Ailey attended Thomas Jefferson High School. His school friend in 1949, Carmen De Lavallade, introduced him to Lester Horton. Horton's multiracial dance school covered a wide range of styles, including modern ballet, jazz, and classical. After finally leaving university, at the age of 22, Alvin joined the Horton Dance Company. Ailey participated in different art forms and Hollywood films during this time. Horton died in 1953, leaving Ailey as the company's new artistic director. Alvin eventually founded his own company in 1958, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. The company explains: "He established the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center (now The Ailey School) in 1969 and formed the Alvin Ailey Repert...... middle of paper ......m/people/ alvin-ailey-9177959. “Alvin Ailey.” American Dance Theater. Np, and Web. April 27, 2014. .DeFrantz, Thomas. “Alvin Ailey.” PBS. PBS and Web. April 25, 2014. .DeFrantz, Thomas. “Composite dance bodies: the repertoire of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.” MUSE Project - Composite bodies of dance: the repertoire of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Np, and Web. April 27, 2014. “Alvin Ailey.” The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Np, and Web. April 27, 2014. "Alvin Ailey - ABT." Alvin Ailey-ABT. Np, and Web. April 27. 2014. .