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The wind at my back : resilience, grace, and other gifts from my mentor, Raven Wilkinson Cover Image Book

The wind at my back : resilience, grace, and other gifts from my mentor, Raven Wilkinson

Copeland, Misty (author.). Fales-Hill, Susan 1962- (author.).

Summary: "Misty Copeland made history as the first African-American principal ballerina at the American Ballet Theatre. Her talent, passion, and perseverance enabled her to make strides no one had accomplished before. But as she will tell you, achievement never happens in a void. Behind her, supporting her rise was her mentor, Raven Wilkinson, who had been virtually alone in her quest to breach the all-white ballet world when she fought to be taken seriously as a Black ballerina in the 1950s and 60s. A trailblazer in the world of ballet decades before Misty's time, Raven faced overt and casual racism, hostile crowds, and death threats for having the audacity to dance ballet. The Wind at My Back tells the story of two unapologetically Black ballerinas, their friendship, and how they changed each other--and the dance world--forever. Misty Copeland shares her own struggles with racism and exclusion in her pursuit of this dream career and honors the women like Raven who paved the way for her but whose contributions have gone unheralded. She celebrates the connection she made with Raven, the only teacher who could truly understand the obstacles she faced, beyond the technical or artistic demands. A beautiful and wise memoir of intergenerational friendship and the impressive journeys of two remarkable women, The Wind at My Back captures the importance of mentorship, of shared history, and of respecting the past to ensure a stronger future."--

Record details

  • ISBN: 9781538753859
  • ISBN: 1538753855
  • Physical Description: print
    225 pages ; 24 cm
  • Edition: First edition
  • Publisher: New York : Grand Central Publishing, 2022.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:
Includes bibliographical references (pages 217-219) and index.
Formatted Contents Note:
On the shoulders of giants -- It all began tonight -- A distant mirror -- Two women at the crossroads -- Never give up -- Taking flight -- Dreams deferred -- Black swans rock -- Blood, sweat, and swan queens -- Live by the swan, die by the swan -- Dreams realized -- Bells toll -- Taking Raven's breath away -- Transition -- Blackface, racial reckoning, and Raven's wish.

Search for related items by subject

Subject:
Copeland, Misty
Wilkinson, Raven
African American ballerinas Biography
African American ballerinas Social conditions
Ballerinas United States Biography
Ballet dancers United States Biography
Ballet United States History 20th century
Mentoring in the arts United States
Racism United States
Racism against Black people United States
Racism
Genre:
Autobiographies.
Biographies.

Available copies

  • 18 of 19 copies available at NC Cardinal. (Show)
  • 1 of 1 copy available at Onslow County Public Library.

Holds

  • 0 current holds with 19 total copies.
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Location Call Number / Copy Notes Barcode Shelving Location Status Due Date
Jacksonville Main Library BIO COPELAND (Text) 36015000533709 Adult Biography Available -
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