Misty Copeland Brings Beauty and Black Back to Ballet

Misty Copeland is a 31-year-old Kansas City, MO native with humble beginnings who has authored her life story with careful precision, mirroring the cautious execution of each feathered leap and glide. This professional ballet dancer is the first Black female soloist for the American Ballet Theatre in more than two decades. Misty has starred in a Blackberry commercial, toured with the legendary musician Prince, and  has plans to unveil a line of dance apparel for curvy women. 

 

One of her latest ventures is an effort she is spearheading called Project Plié between the Boys and Girls Club of America and the American Ballet Theatre to introduce young girls of color to the art form of ballet through educational workshops, training seminars and scholarships. This effort is especially close to Misty’s heart as she was discovered on a basketball court at the Boys and Girls Club of America when she was 13-years-old by a ballet teacher named Cynthia Bradley.   

 

Check out Misty as she and Under Amour team up to redefine what it means to be an athlete. With poses like these, Misty’s incredible athleticism is undeniable.  She is single-handedly changing the world’s perception of what a ballerina looks like. Misty is unapologetically curvy, muscular, but most importantly-Black. 

Misty Copeland is also writing a memoir entitled, Life in Motion, An Unlikely Ballerina. 

I do not claim ownership to the above images.