Misty Copeland was the fourth born of six siblings growing up as a bi-racial child in Kansas, Missouri. Misty Copeland is the first African-American Ballerina to be appointed as a principle dancer for American Ballet Theatre. She was captain of the drill team in middle school. In 1995 at the age of thirteen, the coach of the team encouraged Misty to take Ballet classes at the Boys and Girls Club, which Misty already attended. With trouble at home, Misty was able to move in with her Ballet teacher and family. At the age of fifteen, Misty went on to be awarded as Best Dancer at the Los Angeles Music Center Spotlight Awards, also Best Dancer in Southern California. In September of 2000, Misty joined the American Ballet Theatre, and was ranked as soloist in 2007. Copeland faced severe injuries that required time off of dance, causing her to wear a brace for most of the day. Also,years later she took time off due to injuries to her shin.