raven wilkinson
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For Women’s History Month, Misty Copeland Tells the Story of Trailblazing Ballerina Raven Wilkinson
“To be a black ballerina today … is extremely difficult. So I cannot imagine what it was like for Raven in the 1950s,” said Misty Copeland when reflecting on her friend, mentor and shero, Raven Wilkinson. In 1955, Wilkinson became one of the first black women to dance with a classical ballet company. Pursuing a…
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In an 'Insular, White, Calcified World,' Misty Copeland Centers Black Women
Every time I’ve been in a room with Misty Copeland, she has made it a point to acknowledge black women. I’m not referring to a warm smile, a greeting, or even the timeless black folk head-nod (y’all know what I’m talking about)—though I’d guess Copeland certainly does that, too. Beyond saying “hello,” she makes it…
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New Picture Book Tells Story of Raven Wilkinson, the 1st African-American Ballerina to Dance for a Major Company
Misty Copeland, the first black ballerina to earn the coveted title of principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, is known for smashing ceilings and breaking down barriers, heavily promoting diversity in an industry that is still sadly lacking in representation. But before there was Misty Copeland, there was Raven Wilkinson, who actually mentors Copeland…