Misty Copeland hangs up her pointe shoes after performing at retirement show

"NEW YORK Misty Copeland took one last spin on her pointe shoes Wednesday, showered with golden glitter and bouquets as she retired from American Ballet Theatre after a trailblazing career in which she became an ambassador for diversity in an overwhelmingly white art form. Copeland, who a decade ago became the first Black female principal dancer in the company's 75-year history, was feted at its star-studded fall gala at Manhattan's Lincoln Center."

"Winfrey spoke of the power of young people of color seeing Copeland lead iconic ballets like Swan Lake. "Misty didn't just perform ballet," Winfrey said of the ballerina who has achieved a unique crossover fame. "She changed it. She redefined who belongs, who gets to be seen, and who gets to lead." In a way, the gala was both a return and a departure for Copeland, 43."

"She was dancing with the company for the first time in five years. During that time, Copeland has been raising a son, Jackson, with her husband. The 3-year-old came onstage to hug his mother during curtain calls, wearing a tuxedo. Copeland has also been continuing her career as an author the second volume of her Bunheads series appeared in September and working to increase diversity in the dance world with her namesake foundation, including "Be Bold," an afterschool program designed for young children of color."

Misty Copeland retired from American Ballet Theatre after a trailblazing career as an ambassador for diversity in a predominantly white art form. She became the company's first Black female principal a decade earlier and was honored at ABT's fall gala at Lincoln Center. Oprah Winfrey and Debbie Allen praised her impact, with Winfrey saying Copeland redefined who belongs and who gets to lead. Copeland returned to ABT after five years and performed Juliet, a modern duet in Kyle Abraham's Wrecka Stow, and Twyla Tharp's Sinatra Suite. She has been raising her son, continuing to write, and running a foundation that includes an afterschool program called "Be Bold" for young children of color.

Read at www.npr.org