Project Plie

Misty Copeland

I have a deep love for Misty Copeland. Not only is she incredibly talented, she is VERY vocal about the lack of minorities/diversity in the Ballet world. Also, she's soooo beautiful right?? She continues to dance professionally and speak around the country on the importance of exposing Ballet and it's rich history to the youth, especially brown girls.
I used to be in love with ballet. However, because I was never encouraged to pursue it and I never saw dancers who looked like me, I gave up those dreams. I developed early, peeps, and a curvy ballerina is not the norm. No one ever came out and said no, but they did push my to try other styles so I could become a well rounded dancer (#Truth).
So I began to study different styles and found my passion in modern/contemporary dance. With that said, there is always a part of my that thinks "What if…"
I've spoken to many black dancers who reminisce of a past desire to be ballerinas but never got the support from their teachers and never saw the opportunity to make it to Prima Ballerina status.
Misty has signed on to be the face of Project Plie, which will award scholarships to black youth in an effort to diversify ballet.

What are your thoughts?

Is this the way to get more young black girls interested in ballet AND they way to get them within reach of Prima Ballerina status?

Hmmmm….
Project Plie

Dance Crush: Michaela DePrince

Talk about an inspiration. Michaela DePrince is the true embodiment of hard work and perseverance. Those of you who watched First Position (it's on Netflix, so there's no excuse) will remember Michaela and her incredible story and beautiful athleticism. Adopted from Sierra Leone after her parents were killed during the civil war, she then watched her favorite teacher get killed in front of her and suffered from discrimination because she suffers form the skin condition vitiligo. As fate would have it, one day a magazine picture of a ballerina flew in into the orphanage by a gust of wind and Michaela was mesmerized by the image. 

After being adopted by a loving American family she began to take ballet lessons. She has just graduated from the American Ballet Theatre's Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis school in New York and has joined The Dance Theatre of Harlem. If you haven't seen the movie, please do so. It's a small window into the personal sacrifices the featured dancers and their families go through for the opportunity to win the Youth American Grand Prix. It's more than a competition; it's the beginning of the rest of their professional lives. Major Companies watch this competition and invite young dancers to train with them and also offer a position in their company.

As a Black woman I could relate to Michaela's struggles with Ballet. The technique itself is just HARD! Being one of the few women of color in her class, having to re-construct costumes because what is considered nude DOES NOT constitute and nude for brown girls. Dealing with injuries and working though them despite the pain. I mean the list goes on. Listen, you can't have one shade of "Mocha" and think that that ONE shade can work for all of us. Side eye at you Capezio. Just sayin…

Michaela's story is one to be commended. Having gone through such turmoil at a young age she could have just given up. It just goes to show you that even if you aren't dealt the best hand you can still win the top prize.

 #werk

#blackballerina

Go here to see her recent spread with Teen Vogue.