Katherine Dunham, PhD (1909-2006) was a choreographer, dancer, and anthropologist. She used her anthropology research to bring ethnic dance styles to the stage, taking much of her inspiration from the Caribbean and Brazil. Dr. Dunham didn't stop with bringing blackness into art, she was active in our every day plight. In 1992 she orchestrated a 47-day hunger strike to raise awareness about Haitian refugees. She is a published author (she also used the pseudonym Kaye Dunn) and the recipient of numerous awards, including the National Medal of Arts.