Published on Feb. 24, 2022

To celebrate Black History Month our CASE Marketing interns are highlighting their most influential figures. In this video, intern Kelly Lopez Honors Ballet Dancer Misty Copeland.

Hello, my name is Kelly Lopez and I’m a senior and an intern for the CASE Marketing Team. I’m majoring in journalism with an emphasis in strategic communications. A Black historical figure who has always been an inspiration to me is ballet dancer Misty Copeland.

Born in 1982, Misty Copeland did not have the typical upbringing of a ballerina. She began lessons at age 13 and quickly rose through the ranks and joined the prestigious American Ballet Theater at 18.

As her career progressed, Copeland faced criticism due to her small curvy figure. Despite the pressure to conform, Misty Copeland embraced her body and is constantly recognized as a star in the dance world, becoming the first African American Woman to be promoted to soloist and then to Principal dancer in 2015. Copeland is honored as a fiercely talented woman who defies the odds.