Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Pickens.
Amber, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
A proud Dallas native and Texas Young Master of the Arts, Amber Pickens is a powerhouse performer, visionary creator, and passionate artivist whose impact spans stage, screen, and community. A graduate of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing & Visual Arts and The Juilliard School (BFA in Dance), Amber’s journey has been shaped by elite training at institutions like Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Alvin Ailey, Camp Broadway, and Martha Graham — alongside acting masterclasses with luminaries including Bill Duke , Tasha Smith, and Anthony Abeson.
After Juilliard, Amber leapt into the spotlight on Broadway, earning a coveted Chita Rivera Award for her electrifying performance in The Wrong Man, created by the innovative minds behind Hamilton. She quickly transitioned to film, bringing her unmatched expertise as choreographer and movement coach to Rebecca Hall’s critically acclaimed Passing, starring Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga. Hall praised Amber’s “gusto, skill, and sensibility,” noting her gift for balancing historical authenticity with passionate flair.
On television, Amber has delivered unforgettable performances on Law & Order: SVU, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Harlem Godfather, Bronx SIU, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, showcasing her dynamic range across genres.
Amber’s global fashion influence began when French Vogue reached out to feature her in an exclusive editorial spread for Christian Dior alongside world-renowned dancers Les Twins. The striking collaboration garnered international attention and ultimately led to her inclusion in the Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition—a globally touring showcase celebrating Dior’s enduring legacy. Amber’s presence in the exhibition represents a powerful fusion of fashion, dance, and culture on the world stage.
A committed advocate for the arts, Amber uses her voice to champion cultural equity and investment in creative industries. She lobbied at the Texas Capitol for SB22: legislation resulting in a $500 million boost to the state’s film incentive program, amplifying the importance of arts funding in building vibrant, inclusive communities. As a featured author at the Dallas Literary Festival, she brought her children’s book Blooming in Motion to life during a special story time for hundreds of young readers, igniting imaginations and honoring Black history in dance.
Amber also hosts Kickback & Chat with Amber Pickens, a groundbreaking digital talk show spotlighting the creative journeys of today’s most inspiring artists, from behind-the-scenes brilliance to red carpet breakthroughs. Featuring guests like Michael B. Jordan, Corey Hawkins, and Ice Cube, the show is a celebrated platform recognized by the National Newspaper Publishers Association and the National Association of Black Journalists. Kickback & Chat has also led to her become a contributor for magazines such as Upscale and Southern Dallas Living and Business.
Her artistic reach extends into publishing, where she is both author and illustrator of Blooming in Motion, a vibrant coloring book featured at The Academy Museum and major retailers nationwide. Penguin Random House tapped her to illustrate Rise Up, a tribute to cultural icons like Chadwick Boseman and Maya Angelou.
As co-founder and president of the Juilliard Black Alumni Association (JBAA), Amber is a force for equity in education and the arts. Under her leadership, JBAA has launched transformative outreach, mentorship, and scholarship initiatives, including a sold-out scholarship luncheon with Wynton Marsalis and alumni luminaries like Keith David and Lisa Arrindell. Recent events include a private screening and discussion with Viola Davis for her film G20, Audra McDonald for Broadway’s Gypsy, and a JBAA’s scholarship luncheon spotligthing Wynton Marsalis — further proof of Amber’s deep commitment to building lasting pipelines for Black creatives.
Amber Pickens is not just an artist, she is a trailblazer, a cultural advocate, and a transformative force whose fearless artistry and leadership are reshaping the future of entertainment and beyond.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As a gifted Black dancer navigating the traditionally Eurocentric world of ballet and later the entertainment industry, Amber often found herself in spaces where her identity felt like an afterthought. While studying at The Juilliard School, a pinnacle of prestige yet still marked by cultural blind spots, Amber experienced the pain of invisibility. But it was precisely in that space of disconnection that a powerful pivot occurred.
One of her teachers, Andra Corvino, introduced her to the legacy of Janet Collins, the first Black prima ballerina at the Metropolitan Opera. That moment was more than a history lesson; it was a lifeline. In learning about Collins, Amber discovered a lineage of brilliance that had long been buried beneath the dominant narrative. This revelation didn’t just motivate her, it redefined her purpose. She dove deeper into Black artistic history, finding strength, pride, and clarity in the legacy of those who paved the way.
With that newfound fuel, Amber didn’t just thrive, she transformed. She took her training and turned it into storytelling. Whether on stage, on screen, or behind the scenes as a choreographer, she began creating work that celebrated Blackness, womanhood, and resilience. In spaces where she once felt unseen, she now makes it impossible to look away.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
For Amber, success isn’t defined by applause or accolades, it’s measured by impact. What she holds most dear is not the spotlight she’s earned, but the light she helps ignite in others. Amber is most proud of being a source of inspiration, especially to those who’ve been told their dreams are too big, too bold, or don’t belong in the spaces they seek to enter. She’s living proof that they do belong, and she makes sure others know it too.
What sets Amber apart is her rare blend of elegance and edge, discipline and daring. She leads with authenticity, never performing for acceptance but instead creating from a place of deep-rooted self-awareness. Her artistry isn’t just technique, it’s truth. Whether she’s choreographing for TV/film or speaking to young artists, Amber brings her full self: a proud Black woman shaped by both struggle and triumph, rooted in history but always reaching forward.
Her authenticity shines in how she uplifts others. She doesn’t just tell people to believe in themselves, she shows them how, by being a living example of perseverance, passion, and purpose. Through every step, every role, and every conversation, Amber reminds others that their dreams are valid, and possible.
What matters most to you?
At the core of Amber Barbee Pickens’ artistry is purpose: to tell stories that are authentic, inspiring, and soul-stirring. Whether through dance, acting, or illustration, what matters most to her is creating work that uplifts; stories that reach across boundaries and remind people of their worth, their power, and their shared humanity.
Amber doesn’t create just to perform, she creates to connect. Her work is rooted in truth, drawing from real experiences, cultural history, and the beauty of everyday life. In a world often flooded with noise, she offers clarity: a voice that resonates with those who’ve been overlooked or underestimated. Through every movement, every role, and every sketch, she offers permission: to dream, to feel, to heal.
Her multidisciplinary approach isn’t just a display of talent, it’s a deliberate choice to reach people in many forms, on many levels. From the stage to the screen to the page, Amber uses the arts as a vehicle for transformation, carrying stories that affirm identity, celebrate resilience, and spark joy.
In everything she does, Amber stays rooted in the belief that the arts are not just entertainment, they’re medicine, memory, and magic. And her mission is clear: to keep telling stories that matter.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://amberpickens.com
- Instagram: amberbpickens
Image Credits
Kory Williams
