(gentle music)
- [Narrator] Vulnerability, courage,
and an incredible amount of strength are the characteristics
possessed by the phenomenal woman that is Misty Copeland.
Professional black ballerinas have faced
multiple racial controversies since being admitted
to ballet companies.
Raven Wilkinson,
Janet Collins,
Debra Austin,
Aesha Ash,
Precious Adams.
Misty had a late start in dance,
but became one of the few African American ballerinas
to be appointed as a soloist.
But like those who came before her,
that journey to black excellence was not easy.
As a young girl living in a motel
with her mother and her siblings,
Misty Copeland didn't have a lot of exposure to ballet
or prominent dancers with extremely humble beginnings.
As Misty did not take her first dance class
until she was 13 years old,
considerably late to begin the art form, a true prodigy.
She was dancing on point within three months of taking her
first class and performing professionally in four years.
A feat unheard of for any classical dancer.
After two summer workshops with American Ballet Theatre,
by the end of the first summer,
she was asked to join the ABT Studio Company.
Copeland was appointed a soloist at ABT in August 2007,
one of the youngest ABT dancers promoted to soloist.
During her years in the core
as the only black woman in the company,
Copeland also felt the burden of her ethnicity
in many ways within the dance community
and contemplated a variety of career choices.
Susan Fales-Hill,
then Vice Chair of ABT's Board of Directors,
mentored Copeland.
Susan introduced Copeland to black women trailblazers,
who encouraged Copeland and helped her to gain perspective
on her career.
Not long after Misty became a trailblazer herself,
being promoted from soloist to principal dancer
at American Ballet Theatre on June 30th, 2015.
Becoming the first African American woman to be promoted
to principal ballerina in ABT's 75 year history,
Copeland's achievement was groundbreaking.
- For over a decade,
I was the only black woman in my company.
Today I am proud to see young, talented ballerinas,
young, talented, brown ballerinas.
That's when I am reminded of my purpose,
to be for them what I didn't have as a young ballerina,
a mentor, role model,
someone who looks like them.
- [Narrator] Celebrity spokesperson and stage performer,
she has toured as a featured dancer for Prince
and appeared on reality TV shows.
Misty's philanthropic efforts have helped to launch
MindLeaps Girls Program in Africa
and award the Misty Copeland Scholarship.
Although Misty has become a role model
for so many young girls in the USA,
now she is reaching across the globe
to help even more children.
She has endorsed products and companies such as T-Mobile,
Coach Inc, Dr. Pepper,
Seiko, the Dannon Company,
and Under Armour.
Shortly after her Under Armour endorsement,
she criticized statements by Under Armour founder and CEO,
Kevin Plank, that praised Donald Trump,
stressing that her sponsor should believe
in the importance of diversity and inclusion.
She has written several books that include
a message of empowerment for young people of color.
In addition,
she has narrated a documentary about her career challenges,
A Ballerina's Tale in 2015.
In 2015, Misty was named one of the 100 most
influential people in the world by Time,
appearing on its cover.
Among Misty's prestigious awards,
she received an honorary doctorate
from the University of Hartford for her contributions
to classical ballet and helping to diversify the art form.
She was also named one of Glamour's Women of the Year
for 2015 and one of ESPN's 2015 impact 25 athletes
and influencers who have made the greatest impact
for women in sports.
Misty Copeland received the distinguished Spingarn Medal
at the 52nd annual Image Awards.
Copeland has been quoted as saying
of her accomplishments that,
"I'm just so proud to be a part of this company's history
because it is American and it represents what America is.
And I am that."
Misty Copeland is black excellence in motion,
dancing across stages and into history.
(gentle music)