Misty and Maurice — Making history in the world of ballet and making an impact right here at home

You don’t have to know much about the world of dance to know about Misty Copeland.?

Misty is the first African-American female principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, and she became a household name a few years ago when she starred in?an edgy ad for Under Armour. In the commercial, Misty dances (breathtakingly) while a voiceover reads aloud a rejection letter meant to represent all those Misty received on her journey to success. She was told she had the wrong feet and body for ballet and was better suited to dance in Vegas than as a prima ballerina. She was also “too old,” having started her ballet journey at the age of 13. At the time, she was living in a motel room with her five siblings, and all she wanted to do was to dance.?

Of course, Misty wasn’t chosen for the commercial because she gave up. She rejected her rejections. She worked hard. She persevered, and now, she’s a star.?

Misty Copeland is on my mind for two reasons: For one, February is Black History Month, and Misty has indeed made history. In addition, for the Dancing with the Stars of Charlotte Gala, I will take the stage with a dancer whose life has followed a similar path.?

My dance partner, Maurice Mouzon, Jr., is African American and a member of the Charlotte Ballet. Originally from Baltimore, Maurice was raised by a single mother in a rough neighborhood. He grew up playing football, baseball and basketball. He only knew how to dance from watching Michael Jackson videos on repeat.?

Then, when he was in eighth grade, one of his teachers saw him dance. She printed off an application to the Baltimore School of the Arts and, in the process, helped Maurice find his passion.?

It sounds like a fairy tale, but his journey came with its share of challenges. Maurice encountered much of the same pushback Misty experienced. He doesn’t have the stereotypical ballet body, but he has undeniable talent. I’ve seen it firsthand. There is a fluidity to his movements unlike anything I’ve ever seen. When the artistic director at the Charlotte Ballet saw him perform during his freshman year of college, he hired Maurice on the spot. He’s that good.?

As we know all too well, ballet isn’t the only place discrimination lingers. In my Dancing with the Stars campaign, I’m raising money for the Health Equity Fund at Novant Health, an initiative championed by Dr. Ophelia Garmon-Brown who was a fierce advocate for ensuring equal access to healthcare for all. Ophelia understood how a lack of access to quality healthcare disproportionately impacts communities of color, and she worked tirelessly throughout her life to change this reality. There is still much work to be done, but I am proud to be dedicating this campaign to such an incredible effort, one that has the potential to transform lives across our communities.?

As I reflect on Black History Month, I am grateful Maurice had the opportunity to achieve his dreams and I, in turn, have the chance to work with such a talented individual. I am inspired by Misty Copeland as an example of perseverance, resilience and grit. I’m honored to help continue the legacy of Dr. Ophelia Garmon-Brown and ensure all our communities have access to the care they deserve.??

To learn more and support Maurice and me in our Dancing with the Stars journey, visit SupportNovantHealth.org/DWTS.?