Misty Copeland

Misty Copeland (born 1982) is an American ballet dancer who made history by becoming the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer in American Ballet Theatre's 75-year history in 2015. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, and raised in San Pedro, California, Copeland's rise in ballet was meteoric despite not starting ballet until the age of 13, which is considered late for the field. Her extraordinary talent and perseverance have made her a prominent figure in the arts and a powerful advocate for diversity and inclusion within the ballet world. Copeland's performances in classical, contemporary, and popular works have broadened the appeal of ballet to new audiences.