Misty Copeland

even more incredible or bring a whole new idea out of you and make you go even further with, you know, choreography. But, you know, Black people have been told for generations and generations, like, you all have flat feet, so you're not going to be in pointe shoes. Your butts are too big. It's like, we don't all look this way, and that's not all bad anyways.

And so, you know, I think that it's really about opening your mind to the possibilities of what can be created when you see something done. on a body in a way that you're not used to.

And so, you know, I think that it's really about opening your mind to the possibilities of what can be created when you see something done. on a body in a way that you're not used to.

I don't think that my thinking has changed. I think that my whole career is proof that when you have diversity and in certain spaces or in every space, but in my instance in ballet, there's so much richness and community that people come together and want to understand each other and want to be a community together. And I feel like my career is literal proof of that.

I don't think that my thinking has changed. I think that my whole career is proof that when you have diversity and in certain spaces or in every space, but in my instance in ballet, there's so much richness and community that people come together and want to understand each other and want to be a community together. And I feel like my career is literal proof of that.

Thinking of so many young black and brown people that didn't even know that Lincoln Center was a place they could step foot in. And when they see my poster on the front and they feel like, you know, and it opens their minds up to a whole new world. And to me, it's not just about coming to see me.

Thinking of so many young black and brown people that didn't even know that Lincoln Center was a place they could step foot in. And when they see my poster on the front and they feel like, you know, and it opens their minds up to a whole new world. And to me, it's not just about coming to see me.

It sparks their interest to want to participate and to want to learn more about the art form and whatever may take place at Lincoln Center as well. But I think that it brings us together. I think that art is the most incredible way to build bridges and no matter what political party you're in. Yeah, I can't think of a better way to show the power of representation than through my career.

It sparks their interest to want to participate and to want to learn more about the art form and whatever may take place at Lincoln Center as well. But I think that it brings us together. I think that art is the most incredible way to build bridges and no matter what political party you're in. Yeah, I can't think of a better way to show the power of representation than through my career.

I think that we're just kind of keeping our heads down and staying the course. I don't think that it's about creating this big hoopla in public, but I think that continuing to be really intentional about the real work. And I think that that's being done through Lincoln Center.

I think that we're just kind of keeping our heads down and staying the course. I don't think that it's about creating this big hoopla in public, but I think that continuing to be really intentional about the real work. And I think that that's being done through Lincoln Center.

I think there are a lot of other institutions that need to follow suit in terms of just, again, I think that it's reflected in the work that we're doing. I don't think that there's any real shifts or changes that need to be made. Just continue doing the work. It's all with the same mission in mind. And again, I don't think we have to like scream it from the rooftops.

I think there are a lot of other institutions that need to follow suit in terms of just, again, I think that it's reflected in the work that we're doing. I don't think that there's any real shifts or changes that need to be made. Just continue doing the work. It's all with the same mission in mind. And again, I don't think we have to like scream it from the rooftops.

It's like you put talent in places that it should be and you will see diversity naturally or organically happen. Yeah.

It's like you put talent in places that it should be and you will see diversity naturally or organically happen. Yeah.

That's exactly where we need to start. Solve that problem. Done. Yeah, I think that... I think you have to take the leap and your audience is only as, you know, informed as you make them. And I think that if you just kind of keep perpetuating the same thing over and over again, that's all they're going to know. And then that becomes their taste. They're like, well, that's what I want to see.

That's exactly where we need to start. Solve that problem. Done. Yeah, I think that... I think you have to take the leap and your audience is only as, you know, informed as you make them. And I think that if you just kind of keep perpetuating the same thing over and over again, that's all they're going to know. And then that becomes their taste. They're like, well, that's what I want to see.

But how do they even know if that's all they know, if that's all they see? And so I really think that it's about taking the leap and learning. And I know it's tough. I mean, we're not in a time where the arts are being supported and it's difficult financially for so many companies, especially in the States. And so I think that it's a balance.

But how do they even know if that's all they know, if that's all they see? And so I really think that it's about taking the leap and learning. And I know it's tough. I mean, we're not in a time where the arts are being supported and it's difficult financially for so many companies, especially in the States. And so I think that it's a balance.

It's a balance of some risk and then leaning on the things that people will definitely come and see.