GAZELLE MAGAZINE February 2017 | Page 50

WOMEN WHO INSPIRE

A CHAT WITH WORLD-RENOWNED BALLERINA Misty Copeland

By Cillah Hall

Born in Kansas City , Missouri and raised in San Pedro , California , Misty Copeland began her ballet studies at the late age of 13 . At 15 , she won first place in the Music Center Spotlight Awards . She studied at the San Francisco Ballet School and American Ballet Theatre ’ s Summer Intensive on full scholarship and was declared ABT ’ s National Coca-Cola Scholar in 2000 .

Misty joined ABT ’ s Studio Company in September 2000 , joined American Ballet Theatre as a member of the corps de ballet in April 2001 , and in August 2007 , became the company ’ s second African- American female soloist , and the first in two decades . In June 2015 , Misty was promoted to principal dancer , making her the first African- American woman to ever be promoted to the position in the company ’ s 75-year history .
She continues to break new ground as a ballerina and businesswoman .
She recently launched her dancewear line ÉGAL Dance , available at egaldance . com . Her endorsements , past and present , include American Express , COACH , Diet Dr . Pepper , Seiko and Under Armour .
She has worked with many charitable organizations and is dedicated to giving of her time to work with and mentor young girls and boys . In 2014 , President Barack Obama appointed Misty to the President ’ s Council on Fitness , Sports and Nutrition .
Photo by Gregg Delman
CH : The fact that you were born here in Missouri is very inspiring for young girls in our state . How have your Midwest roots influenced your life ? MISTY : Ha ! I like to think that I have a bit of the Midwestern mentality in me passed down from my mother . I don ’ t have a ton of memories of Kansas City , Missouri as I moved to California when I was 2 , but again , I think my mother ’ s values and upbringing influenced me and my siblings .

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