"I don’t think that people realize what feat it is to be a black a woman", these words from Misty Danielle Copeland resonates so deeply in my core and I am sure it does for many reading this as well. I listened to her words, as she spoke so eloquently in the beginning of “A Ballerina’s Tale”, this phenomenal, sensational documentary created from director Nelson George, where she narrates about her life, and her accomplishments. Misty Copeland was named Principal Dancer at the American Ballet Theatre on June 30, 2015, making her the first African American dancer to be appointed this designation in the company’s history.
I watched this documentary twice, each time I was struck with pure amazement: this woman is breath-taking. She found her voice with ballet at the age of 13, her voice would soon change the Ballet world as we know it. A black woman has emerged into a role, that most thought would never happen. Let me explain, ballet is the “touchstone” of European culture dating back to the 15th century. Also only 1 percent of ballet dancers make it to elite companies, now guess how many of that 1 percent is African American. It’s okay I’ll wait. So yes this is a VERY big deal, and as a community we should be sending all kinds of hugs her way! She did it!
After watching this piece, there was many inspirational points, I would like to share 3 points that I feel we could all benefit from, myself including
Be proud of your race, it’s your story, it’s an integral part of who you really are. No matter what anyone says or does, nothing can stop YOU from achieving your goals.
After watching this piece, there was many inspirational points, I would like to share 3 points that I feel we could all benefit from, myself including
- Find a mentor or if an older, more seasoned professional in your field has taken interest in you, LET THEM. You do not have all the answers, or experience, no one does. Learning is an on-going measure to meet success at it’s doors. Focus is knowing how to ask for guidance, and the will to carry it through. In the midst of adversity, Misty stood tall. She had no one that looked like her in a group of 80 dancers, she was told to lose weight, she felt alone for a long period of time. But with the help of her mentor Susan Fales-Hill she embraced her curves, and regained her focus on how she could be the one to change the face of this art-form for our history books.
- Have an immovable force. Set your goal, and with your will power you can achieve anything you put your mind to. Misty gained the principal role in Firebird (monumental) that night she danced in pain with fractures in her shin. What kind of unprecedented determination does that reveal? She worked so hard, she ended hurting herself, and still pushed herself further! The force is your thoughts. You are what you think. When you think “I can’t go any further”, or “It’s not working out”, this hinders your success in all areas of your life, negative self-talk is a force as well, chose today what force will lead you to endless possibilities.
- ALWAYS, ALWAYS celebrate the small and big victories. Throughout the documentary, one thing was quite evident; Misty knew how important it was to celebrate each and every accomplishment she achieved. Whether it was phone calls to family and friends, she welcomes her achievements with thankfulness. When she received the Under Armour endorsement and the billboard was created, the documentary showed a few of her closest friends, and her manager gather on the street right beneath the billboard, and celebrated together for Misty. It brought me to tears, to see that kind of support that some of us long for. Truly amazing. Always live with gratefulness.
Be proud of your race, it’s your story, it’s an integral part of who you really are. No matter what anyone says or does, nothing can stop YOU from achieving your goals.
Misty is the epitome of Dreams Do Come True. We can all fly. Who’s got next?