Raven Wilkinson's guest appearances

Raven Wilkinson

Q with Tom Power

Commonwealth Club of California Podcast

Free Library Podcast

Your Angry Neighborhood Feminist

Oti Mabuse's Dancing Legends

OwlTail

In 2015, Misty Copeland became the first Black woman to become principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre. Her heartfelt memoir “The Wind at My Back” pays tribute to her mentor and fellow dance pioneer Raven Wilkinson, who performed in the segregated South as a member of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo in the 1950s. Copeland joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about Wilkinson's incredible life and legacy.

Why Misty Copeland honours the trailblazing Black ballet dancer Raven Wilkinson in her memoir

In 2015, Misty Copeland made history and changed the dance world forever when she became the first African-American female principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre. But as she will tell you, achievements like this never happen in a void. Behind her and supporting her rise was her mentor, Raven Wilkinson.A trailblazer in the world of ballet, Wilkinson fought to be taken seriously as a Black ballerina in the 1950s and '60s. During this time Wilkinson faced overt and casual racism, hostile crowds, and death threats for having the audacity to dance ballet.Copeland honors the unheralded contributions made by women like Wilkinson who helped pave the way so she could pursue her dream career.She will also share more about her own journey, struggles with racism and exclusion, and intergenerational friendship and mentorship with Wilkinson.NOTESThis program is generously supported by the Applied Materials Foundation.  SPEAKERSMisty CopelandPrincipal Dancer, American Ballet Theatre; Author, The Wind at My Back: Resilience, Grace, and Other Gifts from My Mentor, Raven Wilkinson; Twitter @mistyonpointeIn conversation with Mina KimHost, “Forum” on KQED; Twitter @mkimreporterIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently hosting all of our live programming via YouTube live stream. This program was recorded via video conference on November 16th, 2022 by the Commonwealth Club of California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2015, Misty Copeland made history and changed the dance world forever when she became the first African-American female principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre. But as she will tell you, achievements like this never happen in a void. Behind her and supporting her rise was her mentor, Raven Wilkinson.A trailblazer in the world of ballet, Wilkinson fought to be taken seriously as a Black ballerina in the 1950s and '60s. During this time Wilkinson faced overt and casual racism, hostile crowds, and death threats for having the audacity to dance ballet.Copeland honors the unheralded contributions made by women like Wilkinson who helped pave the way so she could pursue her dream career.She will also share more about her own journey, struggles with racism and exclusion, and intergenerational friendship and mentorship with Wilkinson.NOTESThis program is generously supported by the Applied Materials Foundation.  SPEAKERSMisty CopelandPrincipal Dancer, American Ballet Theatre; Author, The Wind at My Back: Resilience, Grace, and Other Gifts from My Mentor, Raven Wilkinson; Twitter @mistyonpointeIn conversation with Mina KimHost, “Forum” on KQED; Twitter @mkimreporterIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently hosting all of our live programming via YouTube live stream. This program was recorded via video conference on November 16th, 2022 by the Commonwealth Club of California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>