Name: The roots of resilience
Uploaded: 2025-12-02T15:52:03Z
Duration: 12 min 18 s
Description: How did Misty Copeland break barriers and become one of the world's most famous ballerinas? In this powerful talk, she charts her rise from childhood adversity to history-making dancer at the prestigious American Ballet Theatre — and gives a peek at what she plans to do next.

Misty Copeland: The roots of resilience

The roots of resilience

How did Misty Copeland break barriers and become one of the world's most famous ballerinas? In this powerful talk, she charts her rise from childhood adversity to history-making dancer at the prestigious American Ballet Theatre — and gives a peek at what she plans to do next.

Resilience is not about being unbreakable but about moving through pain with purpose, even when everything feels impossible. After dancing the lead in 'The Firebird' on a broken leg, she realized each step honored those who came before and inspired those who would follow. Ballet gave her stability when her childhood was marked by homelessness and uncertainty, but it also confronted her with exclusion and prejudice. Through persistence, artistry, and courage, resilience became a force for transformation on stage and beyond.

Resilience Turns Adversity Into Beauty and Lasting Change

Resilience is forged not by being unbreakable, but by showing up through adversity and exclusion. Performing 'The Firebird' on six stress fractures, she became the first Black woman in the role at a sold-out Metropolitan Opera House. Ballet offered a path from childhood instability to center stage, even as she faced rejection for her skin color. True resilience comes from transforming hardship into artistry and using that strength to open new spaces for others.