Perseverance has always just been something that was in me. And it was a tool that came in very handy as a ballerina. Misty Copeland ballerinahandyperseverance Change image and share on social
I grew up poor in San Pedro, California, sleeping on the floor of shady motels with my five siblings and not always sure when or where I'd get my next meal. Misty Copeland californiafloorgrow Change image and share on social
I think I get almost every piece of clothing that I buy altered and taken in just to fit me exactly the way it should. Misty Copeland alterbuyclthe Change image and share on social
It's going to take a while before we see a real shift in the students and the dancers that are going into professional companies because it takes so many years of training, but I do think that there's a new crop of dancers, of minority dancers that are entering into the ballet world. Misty Copeland balletcompanycrop share on social
I know that I'm talented, and I know that I'm not in American Ballet Theater because I'm black - I'm here because I'm a gifted dancer. Misty Copeland americanballetblack Change image and share on social
I've gotten nothing but warmth from the Black community and positive feedback. Misty Copeland blackcommunityfeedback Change image and share on social
I had some really incredible people who mentored me and gave me things I never got from my parents. Misty Copeland giveincrediblementore Change image and share on social
It's hard to change someone's ideas when they might not even really consciously know that they're being racist, or have racist ideas, just because ballet has been this way for hundreds of years. Misty Copeland balletchangeconsciously Change image and share on social
When people meet me in person, they're usually surprised at how petite I am because there's this idea that because I'm black, I just look a certain way. Misty Copeland blackideameet Change image and share on social
Ballet found me, I guess you could say. I was discovered by a teacher in middle school. I always danced my whole life. I never had any training, never was exposed to seeing dance, but I always had something inside of me. I would love to choreograph and dance around. Misty Copeland balletchoreographdance share on social
