In a heady swirl of bright white silk and lace, the young ladies of the Cotillion Society of Detroit Educational Foundation are presented as debutantes.
The Society’s annual ball is the culmination of eight months of etiquette lessons, leadership workshops, community service projects and cultural events.
As the girls take to the dance floor, they become part of a legacy of Black debutantes in the city and beyond.
Debutante balls, which traditionally helped girls from high society find suitable husbands, emerged from Europe in the 18th century.
“Signing up for debutantes, I thought it was just one big ball.
Persons:
Jim Crow, Taylor Bythewood, Porter, ”, Sage Johnson
Organizations:
Cotillion Society of Detroit Educational, California African American Museum, Organizers
Locations:
Europe, Detroit