Misty Copeland

Misty Copeland is an American ballet dancer and author, who is currently a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre (ABT). She was born on September 10, 1982, in Kansas City, Missouri, and raised in San Pedro, California.

Copeland began her ballet training at the age of 13, which is considered late in the ballet world. However, her exceptional talent and hard work enabled her to quickly rise through the ranks. She joined the ABT in 2001 and was promoted to soloist in 2007, becoming the first African American woman to hold that rank in 20 years. In 2015, she made history by becoming the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer at the ABT.

Copeland has been recognized for her contributions to dance and for breaking down barriers in the ballet world. She has received numerous awards, including the Dance Magazine Award, the Women’s Choice Award for Most Inspiring Women, and was named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2015.

In addition to her dance career, Copeland is also an author. She has written several books, including her memoir “Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina,” which became a New York Times bestseller. She is also a public speaker and advocate for diversity and inclusion in the arts.