Misty Copeland is a soloist in the American Ballet Theatre (ABT). According to some sources, she is the first black soloist for ABT.[1][4] Another, however, states that she is the first black soloist in 20 years and the third in the theatre's history.[2] Either way, she has climbed the ranks even from a general late start at ballet. Performing as soloist in multiple productions as well as alongside Prince,[3][4] Copeland is breaking the mold in the ballet world and changing the image in an otherwise white art.

Ballet is a notoriously white art. The aesthetic expectations—from costumes and “nude” colors that are available to body shape expectations—lean toward whiteness. As a little girl, I had the opportunity to try ballet and took it because all the girls in my preschool were signing up. I was the only black girl in the program. At that age, I didn’t experience anything that said I couldn’t succeed as a ballerina, but I also never saw anyone like me on stage. I stuck with dance for a few years before quitting (for non-race-related reasons), but had I actually enjoyed the activity, I can definitely see how it would have become disheartening over time.

Misty Copeland’s success in ballet allows little black girls to see themselves in the same position. I think it’s self explanatory that her success paves the way for and inspires others who want to take the same path. However, there’s a much larger impact in seeing Misty Copeland as a solo ballerina.