Valerina, Misty Copeland, has changed the face of ballet.

Just being a black dancer in a black body

on a stage in a white art form is a form of activism.

To start this new year, how one dancer is forging new paths in an old art form and why that matters for equity

and inclusion beyond the stage. I'm Naila Boodoo and for Maxios this is one big thing. Misty Copeland is the rare ballerina who's recognizable well beyond the world of ballet.

In 2015 she became the first black woman to reach the title of Principal Dancer with the

prestigious American Ballet Theater. But well before that she had gained attention

not only for her artistry and technique but also for her story.

As a child who went from living in poverty in a motel in California and who had a late start to ballet

at age 13 to its highest ranks.

Having come from a background and an upbringing

where there wasn't a lot of stability or security

and there was something about being in the space of a studio or even on the on the stage

that made me feel like I was in the safe bubble where I could just block everything out

no one could reach me could say anything to me, and I could just be completely

immersed in the experience.

Throughout her career, Misty has spoken about being one of the few black dancers on the

professional stage and why early and equal access to the arts was so important.

And she's been working to get more people into ballet,

including through a foundation that aims

to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in dance,

especially ballet.

...