Ep 8. Misty Copeland Reads Firebird

In season 1 episode 8 of Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices, Misty Copeland reads Firebird by Misty Copeland herself. Firebird is a children's book that tells the story of a young girl named Misty who dreams of becoming a ballerina but feels discouraged by her own self-doubt and the challenges she faces as a young black girl in a predominantly white world. One day, an older ballerina named Miss Bradley takes Misty under her wing and encourages her to believe in herself, telling her the story of the Firebird, a magical bird who overcomes great odds and triumphs in the end. With this inspiration, Misty is able to find the strength and confidence she needs to pursue her dream and become a successful ballerina.

Throughout the episode, Misty reads the book aloud while providing insights about her personal experiences as a black ballerina and the importance of representation in the arts. She discusses how much it meant to her to see African American dancers like Lauren Anderson and Desmond Richardson when she was first starting out, and how she hopes to inspire young girls who may feel discouraged by their circumstances and the lack of diversity in the ballet world.

In addition to the reading, the episode also includes interviews with young dancers from the Boys and Girls Club of America who share their own dreams of becoming ballerinas. Misty offers words of encouragement and advice, telling them to believe in themselves and stay true to their goals no matter what obstacles they may face.

Overall, this episode of Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices is a heartwarming and inspiring tribute to the power of storytelling and the importance of representation in the arts. Misty Copeland's reading of her own book is especially poignant, as it highlights the struggles she faced and the resilience she needed to become the first African American principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre. With her talent, grace, and determination, Misty proves that anything is possible if you believe in yourself and work hard to achieve your dreams.