Black History Month Legend: Misty Copeland, Black Ballerina

My Black History Month Legend of the day is Misty Copeland, the first Black principal Ballerina at the American Ballet Theatre in its history. Can you believe this? It took them 75 whole a$$ years to get to a Black principal ballerina. They got some real nerve.

via GIPHY

Better late than never, I guess.

Anyway, let me tell you about the incredible Misty Copeland! When she first started taking ballet class as a young child, she was so amazing at doing all those pliés, pas de deux, and grand jetés, and whathaveyou, that she was selected to be Swanilda in the big ballet play, Coppélia. I learned all about this because I borrowed her young children's book, Bunheads, at the local library for my daughter, Willow. You can find it in the Juvenile new books section at the Tyler Public Library here.

Here is Misty reading her book, Bunheads, for PBS Kids:

It was recently available just the other day, and I tried to borrow it again but when I searched for it online it says it's out and due back on February 22nd (dang it). You've got to request it for your child, it's such an awesome book. And listen, my daughter says she hates to read, but even SHE read it!

Just this week, Misty announced to the world that she is writing a new book. (Read the People.com article here.) Her book, Black Ballerinas, is targeted for 10-year-olds and up, and is slated to be released in November 2021.

Now, I didn't know this bit of tea, but Misty is married to Taye Diggs' cousin, Olu Evans. He is FOINE, too! You go, girl! Good looks must run in Taye Diggs whole family tree and every branch on the way down. (My thirsty self wonders if they got any more of them thexy thingle cousins!)

Here is Misty doing the damn thang and PERFORMING TF out of Swan Lake with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra back in 2019. I stan.