Misty Copeland launches "BE BOLD" program for kids to encourage more diversity in ballet

BE BOLD is a new approach to afterschool dance education that aims to make ballet accessible, affordable and fun, especially for young children of color. BE BOLD emphasizes a comprehensive approach to learning: children explore the basics of ballet, including movement technique, vocabulary, and etiquette, while also gaining essential life skills and understanding to nurture overall development. BE BOLD intends to create a strong sense of belonging.

Under Misty Copeland’s direction, the BE BOLD program was developed with a diverse set of leaders from ballet, dance education, DEI training, and child development. The curriculum includes ballet basics as well as age-appropriate health and wellness content and instruction about music for ballet; mentoring and tutoring will be provided by the community partner sites. You can learn more about the evaluation and measurement of the BE BOLD program on our Evaluation page.

BE BOLD launches in fall 2022 as a twice-weekly, twelve-week program in partnership with the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club and the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club in New York City.

BE BOLD is led by exceptional Teaching Artists who share a deep devotion to child development through dance and complete a specialized professional development training.

BE BOLD was designed especially for young children of color who do not have access to formal dance instruction, in general, and ballet, in particular. At the outset, BE BOLD will primarily serve Black and brown girls and boys ages 8-10. Their family members and other attentive adults are valued and crucial supports for BE BOLD participants. The participants will become empowered by an unmistakable understanding that I BELONG, and their caregivers will be acknowledged through an I BELONG TOO recognition.

In creating BE BOLD, Copeland aims to build upon her own formative experience at the San Pedro Boys and Girls Club and to advance young children and meet their developmental needs. There is immense unmet need for quality afterschool programs in the United States, and the unmet demand disproportionately impacts communities of color. Further, current access to formal dance instruction, in general, and ballet, in particular, is a matter of chance for children in under-resourced communities. To learn more about the need for BE BOLD, please visit our Facts & Figures page.

More questions?
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions or email info@mistycopelandfoundation.org.

11-year-old ballerina becomes first black lead in NYC Ballet's 'The Nutcracker'

Four years ago, Misty Copeland became the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer in the American Ballet Theatre’s 75-year history.

Now, an 11-year-old black girl is also breaking barriers as the star of the New York City Ballet’s holiday production of George Balanchine’s "The Nutcracker."

In a story first reported by The New York Times, Charlotte Nebres, a student at the School of American Ballet, danced her way into ballet history as New York City Ballet’s first black Marie, the young heroine of a show that dates back to 1954.

"It’s pretty amazing to be not only representing S.A.B., but also representing all of our cultures," Nebres told "The New York Times." "There might be a little boy or girl in the audience seeing that and saying, 'Hey, I can do that too.'"

Mom Danielle Nebres was a dancer growing up, too, and told the Times she still remembers the shock that came with hearing her daughter had won the part of Marie following her audition.

“With that poker face of hers, she said, ‘Well, I’m Marie,’” Danielle said. “And I just thought, ‘Oh my goodness — they really did it.’ I couldn’t believe it.”

Danielle added that when she told Charlotte she would be the very first black star, her daughter retorted, “Wow. That seems a little late.”

For Charlotte, the joy of dancing outweighs anything else that might be bogging down her mind.

“To me, it just feels like when I dance I feel free and I feel empowered. I feel like I can do anything when I dance,” she told the Times. “It makes me happy, and I’m going to do what makes me happy. You don’t need to think about anything else.”

[SOURCE: YAHOO]

MasterClass Announces Misty Copeland to Teach Ballet Technique and Artistry

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- MasterClass, the platform that makes it possible for anyone to learn from the best, announced today that decorated prima ballerina Misty Copeland will teach ballet. Credited with both broadening the audience for classical ballet and invigorating the art form with a renewed energy, Copeland's MasterClass will offer an intimate look at how she's navigated challenges throughout her life and career to defy boundaries and become American Ballet Theatre's first African American female principal dancer. Now available exclusively at MasterClass.com, students can subscribe for unlimited access to all new and existing classes of 70+ instructors through the All-Access Pass. MasterClass categories include leadership, cooking, photography, writing, performance, and much more.

"Misty has single handedly transformed ballet," said David Rogier, co-founder and CEO of MasterClass. "In her MasterClass, she not only teaches her balance of craft and artistry, but she also brings us into her world, sharing the stories that have made her the athlete and artist she is today."

In 2015, Copeland became the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer in American Ballet Theatre's 75-year history. She has been an advocate for diversity and, in 2014, President Barack Obama appointed her to the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. She was named one of TIME's 100 most influential people, and later interviewed by President Obama for TIME and Essence magazines to discuss race, gender, achievement and creating opportunity for young people. She is an advocate and volunteer for the Boys & Girls Club of America, where she first learned ballet, as well as an ambassador for MindLeaps, a dance-centered nonprofit providing vocational training to at-risk youth in post-conflict and developing countries. She was recently featured as the lead ballerina in Disney's "The Nutcracker and The Four Realms."

"As a mentor, it's important to me to set a positive example for athletes and artists and show that with the right work ethic, dreams are possible," said Copeland. "I hope students walk away from my MasterClass with a simple way of approaching ballet technique. But, more importantly, what it takes to be confident, to accept who you are and embrace who you want to be in the future."

Dancers and performers of all kinds will learn more deeply how they can embody characters, tell stories through movement, and own a stage with a dynamic presence. Copeland's MasterClass offers an intimate look at ballet artistry and technique, and diversity and inclusion in the world of classical ballet and her journey to becoming a principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre. In her class, Copeland will reveal the technical transformation she's worked on for the past year, how to work with different choreographers, the value of seeking guidance from mentors and how working with Prince resulted in a life-changing moment for her as an artist. Through detailed technical instruction and a 120-degree view, members will watch Misty perform a real-time solo variation from Swan Lake, as well as a partner variation with American Ballet Theatre soloist Calvin Royal III as they dance the White Swan Pas de Deux together for the first time. Misty will also break down a series of stationary and movement exercises at the barre, including plié and tendu, temps lié and, in a more advanced demo, rond de jambe. Misty will also share her hopes for preserving a legacy that empowers inclusion in ballet and encourages members to be a part of the conversation around diversity to help change the perception of what a ballet dancer should be.

Copeland's MasterClass joins the 70+ classes taught by world-renowned instructors on cooking, photography, writing, performance, and much more. Each MasterClass has digestible video lessons sized to fit into any part of your day and cinematic visuals with close-up, hands-on demonstrations that make you feel one-on-one with the instructor. The All-Access Pass gives you access to every MasterClass and new ones as they launch. Learn on the go with mobile apps or in the comfort of your home with Apple TV. Subscribe to greatness at MASTERCLASS.COM.

Nzingha Stewart to direct Misty Copeland biopic, Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina

New Line's Misty Copeland biopic, Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina, has found its director in Nzingha Stewart.

The feature project adapts Copeland's best-selling memoir of the same name from the star dancer who became the first African-American woman to be promoted to principal dancer in the American Ballet Theatre.

The movie will chronicle Copeland's rise from her poor and tumultuous beginnings — she only began ballet at the late age of 13 and found herself in the middle of a custodial struggle between her mother and the ballet teachers who were her legal guardians at the time — to becoming a crossover star that has written books, appeared in movies and commercials, and has become a speaker.

"As an African-American woman, I know firsthand that when Misty Copeland leaps, we all soar," said Stewart in a statement. "As a filmmaker, I am thrilled to bring this hopeful, triumphant and cinematic story to the big screen."

Stewart is a prolific television director and has worked on shows ranging from How to Get Away With Murder and Scandal to Grey's Anatomy and A Million Little Things. She was also an exec producer on Tyler Perry's drama For Colored Girls. She is currently filming her feature directorial debut with Tall Girl, a coming-of-age story for Netflix.

[SOURCE: HOLLYWOOD REPORTER]

Misty Copeland’s Life Story Coming To The Big Screen

New Line has acquired Life In Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina, and has set Remember the Titans scribe Gregory Allen Howard to adapt the biography of Misty Copeland. She made history by becoming the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer with the prestigious American Ballet Theatre. The bestselling book, and the movie, will chronicle humble beginnings and effort to reach that pinnacle. Offspring Entertainment’s Adam Shankman and Jennifer Gibgot will produce with Philip Sandhaus.

[SOURCE]

Barbie® Launches Misty Copeland Doll

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., May 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Barbie® is honoring Misty Copeland by unveiling a doll in her likeness to continue to show girls they can be anything.  Copeland, the first African-American female principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre (ABT), has been a role model to girls throughout her career. 

The doll is part of the Barbie Sheroes program, honoring female heroes who inspire girls by breaking boundaries and expanding possibilities for women everywhere. Copeland joins an esteemed group of diverse Barbie Sheroes, including Ava DuVernay,Emmy Rossum, Eva Chen, Kristin Chenoweth, Sydney "Mayhem" Keiser, Trisha Yearwood and Zendaya.

The fashions for the doll were inspired by Copeland's Firebird costume from her first American Ballet Theatre principal role, which she is performing again on May 18 (matinee) and 19 as part of ABT's annual spring season at the Metropolitan Opera House. Copeland was intimately involved in the doll's design and partnered with the Barbie design team on all the details. 

"I always dreamed of becoming an ABT ballerina and through Barbie I was able to play out those dreams early on," said Copeland. "It's an honor to be able to inspire the next generation of kids with my very own Barbie doll."

Copeland shows girls how to break boundaries both on and off the stage. She began dancing on a Boys & Girls Club basketball court and continues to be very active in local Clubs in various cities. She also works with Project Plié, ABT's comprehensive initiative to increase racial and ethnic representation in ballet and diversify America's ballet companies.  

"Misty Copeland is at the center of a cultural conversation around how women continue to break boundaries," said Lisa McKnight, General Manager and Senior Vice President, Barbie. "As a brand, we want to honor women, like Misty, who are inspiring the next generation of girls to live out their dreams. We know role play often leads to real "play" in life and we're thrilled to celebrate Misty with her very own doll."

This initiative furthers the Barbie "You Can Be Anything" campaign message echoing that when a girl plays with Barbie, she imagines anything she can become. Earlier this year, Barbie expanded their Fashionistas® line by introducing even more diversity with three new body types – tall, curvy and petite – seven skin tones, 22 eye colors, 24 hairstyles and countless on-trend fashions and accessories.

For more information and images, please visit www.barbiemedia.com. The doll is available today for $29.95on www.thebarbiecollection.com and rolling out to retailers nationwide.  

About Mattel
The Mattel family of companies is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products. Mattel's portfolio of best-selling brands includes Barbie®, the most popular fashion doll ever produced, Hot Wheels®, Monster High®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends®, Fisher-Price® brands and MEGA® Brands, as well as a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. In 2015, Mattel was named one of the "World's Most Ethical Companies" by Ethisphere Magazine and in 2014 ranked No. 5 on Corporate Responsibility Magazine's "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list. With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel's companies employ approximately 31,000 people in 40 countries and territories and sell products in more than 150 nations. Visit us at www.mattel.com, www.facebook.com/mattel or www.twitter.com/mattel.

© Misty Copeland Enterprises, Inc. 2016

Don't miss the ESPN Black History Month Special : Rise UP 02/14/2016

The centerpiece of ESPN’s Black History Month programming, Rise Up: A SportsCenter Special, airs Sunday, Feb. 14, at 5 p.m.(EST) on ESPN. In the one-hour program, four segments will feature prominent African-Americans in a direct and intimate conversation sharing firsthand accounts of the events in the news cycle that impacted their lives. The topics include Taj Gibson of the Chicago Bulls on rising up against gun violence; Missouri football captain Ian Simon on rising up against authority; former pro tennis player James Blake on rising up against racial profiling; and ballet star Misty Copeland on rising up against prejudice. Following each segment, a brief discussion of the significance of the subject will be held among reporters, analysts and editors from ESPN and other media outlets. The panelists include Scoop Jackson, ESPN.com/ESPN the Magazine and LZ Grandersen, ESPN/ABC (Gibson); William Rhoden, New York Times and Maria Taylor, SEC Network (Missouri football); Howard Bryant, ESPN.com/ESPN the Magazine and Chris Haynes, Cleveland.com (Blake); and Alison Overholt, ESPN the Magazine/espnW and Kelley Carter, The Undefeated (Copeland).

2016 ESPN Black History Month Special: Rise Up: A SportsCenter Special from ESPNFrontRow on Vimeo.

Misty Copeland is first black principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre

American ballerina Misty Copeland, a cultural phenomenon outside the dance world, has been promoted to the highest rank of the American Ballet Theatre, becoming the first African-American female principal dancer in the company's 75-year history.

Copeland, 32, joined the company in April 2001 and was appointed a soloist in August 2007. She has been outspoken about her desire to become the first black woman to be named a principal dancer at the company.

Read more: Misty Copeland is first black principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre