From being homeless to becoming one of the top ballerinas in the word, Misty Copeland had quite a unique road to stardom.
Growing up in a single parent home, Copeland says her mother struggled to make ends meet. The family often lived in and out of motels. Some days, the dancer says, they didn’t even have food to eat. But Copeland persevered, using her talent as a dancer to overcome poverty and hardship.
She now serves in the coveted role as the principal dancer at The American Ballet Theater in New York, the first African American woman to earn that role. She’s sharing that amazing journey in hopes of helping others.
Copeland will be in the Twin Cities Sunday night for Inspired: A Conversation with Misty Copeland at University of Minnesota’s Northrop Auditorium.
It’s not her first time in the Bold North though. Many, many cherry moons ago, she choreographed dance routines for one of Minnesota’s most popular entertainers.
“I spent time here with Prince when I was working with him creating his Welcome to America tour. It’s been a while but I’m excited to be back," she told WCCO.
Copeland’s message, not so much her dance moves, will be the focus of her talk.
“There is a lot to cover and I am here in the Twin Cities, present and ready to connect to the community and I think that is so important for someone like me to be here.”
Money raised from Sunday evening’s event will benefit Northrop’s youth programs to help children in underserved communities have access to arts education programs.
Copeland is especially passionate about connecting with young people. She makes it a point to use her celebrity status to empower them.
“My whole purpose I feel, and I try not to lose sight of this, is to share my experiences to connect to people and inspire them," she said. "I would not be in this position as a dancer without the motivation and shared life lessons from mentors who helped me when I was a young girl.”
Last year, when Copeland found out about a young dancer who contemplated giving up ballet after the loss of a loved one, she sent the teen an autographed picture with a note encouraging her keep pursuing her dreams of being a ballerina.
“I want people to remember me for helping and giving back to my community in some way," she said. "It’s about us helping each other. It’s about me using my art form to make someone happy or change their life for the better. That is what dance did for me. So in the end, I think giving is what’s most important.”
Inspired: A conversation with Misty Copeland is a benefit to support Northrop youth programs and takes place Sunday, March 31st at 7:30 p.m. at the Carlson Family Stage at Northrop Auditorium at the University of Minnesota. The address is 84 Church Street SE in Minneapolis. For tickets, click here.
For more celebrity interviews, listen to the Two Haute Mamas Podcast featuring comedian Sheletta Brundidge and parenting expert Lindy Vincent on WCCO Radio online by clicking here.