It was founded by Cassa Pancho MBE in 2001 as a response to the lack of professional Black and Asian ballet dancers in the UK.

[1] The Company was established to provide dancers and students of black and Asian descent with inspiring opportunities in classical ballet.

[6] Arts Council England made Ballet Black a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) for 2018-2022 and awarded them £880,000.

[12] Ballet Black have featured in documentaries including The South Bank Show in 2016 and BBC Four's Danceworks.

[15] Senior Artists Cira Robinson and Mthuthuzeli November danced as part of Stormzy's headlining act on the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury Festival 2019.