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Misty Copeland opens up about the ‘generational trauma’ of black ballet dancers

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Misty Copeland, Black ballet dancers, American Ballet Theatre, generational trauma, theGrio.com

Ten years after Misty Copeland made history as the first black woman to perform Odette, the lead role in the classic ballet “Swan Lake,” she recalls the immense self-doubt leading up to the historic feat.

“I think about the kind of generational trauma for black dancers that comes with this role,” she said CNN’s Chris Wallace during a recent interview. “For many decades and generations, we have been told that swans should be white and that this is not a role that a black or brown woman can play.”

Copeland added that she worries that if her “artistic excellence” doesn’t meet another person’s standards, “maybe there won’t be another Black woman at American Ballet Theater who will get this opportunity.”

This, she shared with Wallace, was only one of many difficult experiences she had during her classical ballet profession, which included becoming the first Black female principal dancer at American Ballet Theater in 2015.

“I had a hard time being a black woman and standing out,” she said.

She continued, “There were times I wasn’t cast in certain roles because I would stand out too much and kind of ruin the aesthetic, especially if it was a filmed performance.”

One of the principal traditions of classical ballet that Copeland has been vocal about is the application of mattifying white powder to the skin.

“They make you lighten your skin,” she explained. “Over the years while doing this, I had serious conversations with the ABT artistic staff and our hair and makeup department. I asked, “Well, why does it have to mean white?” And that is something that the conversation has evolved to kind of change the meaning of the word.

Copeland also played a key role in getting firms to start out producing ballet flats, tights and leotards in a more diverse range of skin tones. Before 2020, if a black or brown dancer wanted her flats and tights to have a nude effect, she would must “pancake” or smudge the makeup on her shoes and tights.

From energizing conversations difficult traditional ballet makeup and hairstyle to lobbying for diverse emojis in ballet shoes, Copeland’s experiences have inspired her to tirelessly advocate for Black and Brown dancers in the classical art form.

“You shouldn’t have a certain body type. You haven’t got to be a certain skin color or age. If you could have the right commitment, commitment and support, I feel everyone should have the opportunity to deal with it,” she emphasized.

Over the years, Copeland’s growth and mission to extend representation and variety in her industry have been criticized by others. Nevertheless, she told Wallace that she continued her studies because of what dance meant to her.

“I had a transformative experience that changed my life as ballet, art and live music became a part of my life,” she said.

She also rejected being considered a “first.”

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“For me, it’s not just about being the first – there have been so many black women who have done amazing things for the ballet community, the ballet world, but have not been recognized,” she told Wallace.

One such dance pioneer was Raven Wilkenson, the first black woman to ever dance in a serious national ballet company and Copeland’s mentor.

The ballet dancer is grateful to her “amazing” mentors who helped her “understand that being an artist means being yourself. It’s about committing to these items, these roles, and making them your individual.



This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Lifestyle

What is GiveTuesday? The annual day of giving is approaching

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Giving Tuesday, GivingTuesday, What is GivingTuesday, What is Giving Tuesday, #GivingTuesday, philanthropy, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, seasonal giving, seasonal donations, charitable donations, theGrio.com

Since it began as a hashtag in 2012, Giving on Tuesdaythe Tuesday after Thanksgiving, became one of the largest collection days yr for non-profit organizations within the USA

GivingTuesday estimates that the GivingTuesday initiative will raise $3.1 billion for charities in 2022 and 2023.

This yr, GivingTuesday falls on December 3.

How did GivingTuesday start?

The hashtag #GivingTuesday began as a project of the 92nd Street Y in New York City in 2012 and have become an independent organization in 2020. It has grown right into a worldwide network of local organizations that promote giving of their communities, often on various dates which have local significance. like a vacation.

Today, the nonprofit organization GivingTuesday also brings together researchers working on topics related to on a regular basis giving. This too collects data from a big selection of sources comparable to payment processors, crowdfunding sites, worker transfer software and offering institutions donor really helpful fundstype of charity account.

What is the aim of GivingTuesday?

The hashtag has been began promote generosity and this nonprofit organization continues to advertise giving within the fullest sense of the word.

For nonprofits, the goal of GivingTuesday is to boost money and have interaction supporters. Many individuals are aware of the flood of email and mail appeals that coincide on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Essentially all major U.S. nonprofits will host fundraising campaigns, and plenty of smaller, local groups will participate as well.

Nonprofit organizations don’t have to be affiliated with GivingTuesday in any method to run a fundraising campaign. They can just do it, although GivingTuesday provides graphics and advice. In this manner, it stays a grassroots endeavor during which groups and donors participate as they please.

Keke Palmer Recalls the Key Advice Will Smith Gave Her as a Child:

Was GivingTuesday a hit?

It will depend on the way you measure success, but it surely has definitely gone far beyond initial efforts to advertise giving on social media. The day has change into an everlasting and well-known event that focuses on charitable giving, volunteerism and civic participation within the U.S. and all over the world.

For years, GivingTuesday has been a serious fundraising goal for nonprofits, with many looking for to arrange pooled donations from major donors and leverage their network of supporters to contribute. This is the start year-end fundraising peakas nonprofits strive to fulfill their budget goals for next yr.

GivingTuesday giving in 2022 and 2023 totaled $3.1 billion, up from $2.7 billion in 2021. While that is loads to boost in a single day, the trend last yr was flat and with fewer donorswhich, in accordance with the organization, is a disturbing signal.

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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BlaQue Community Cares is organizing a cash crowd for serious food

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QNS reports that Queens, New York-based nonprofit BlaQue Community Cares is making an effort to assist raise awareness of Earnest Foods, an organic food market with the Cash Mob initiative.

The BlaQue Cash Mob program is a community-led event that goals to support local businesses, reminiscent of grocery stores in Jamaica, by encouraging shoppers to go to the shop and spend a certain quantity of cash, roughly $20. BlaQue founder Aleeia Abraham says cash drives are happening across New York City to extend support for local businesses. “I think it’s important to really encourage local shopping habits and strengthen the connections between residents and businesses and Black businesses, especially in Queens,” she said after hosting six events since 2021.

“We’ve been doing this for a while and we’ve found that it really helps the community discover new businesses that they may not have known existed.”

As a result, crowds increase sales and strengthen social bonds for independent businesses.

Earnest Foods opened in 2021 after recognizing the necessity for fresh produce in the world. As residents struggled to seek out fresh food, Abraham defines the shop as “an invaluable part of the southeast Queens community.” “There’s really nowhere to go in Queens, especially Black-owned businesses in Queens, to find something healthier to eat. We need to keep these businesses open,” she said.

“So someone just needs to make everyone aware that these companies exist and how to keep the dollars in our community. Organizing this cash crowd not only encourages people to buy, but also shows where our collective dollars stand, how it helps sustain businesses and directly serves and uplifts our community.”

The event will happen on November 24 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 123-01 Merrick Blvd in St. Albans. According to the shop’s co-owner, Earnest Flowers, he has partnered with several other Black-owned brands in the world to sell his products at the shop. Flowers is comfortable that his neighbors can come to his supermarket to purchase organic food and goods from local vendors like Celeste Sassine, owner of Sassy Sweet Vegan Treats.

At the grand opening three years ago which was visited by over 350 viewersSassine stated that the collaboration was “super, super, super exciting” to the purpose that the majority of the products were off the shelves inside hours.


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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Keke Palmer Recalls the Key Advice Will Smith Gave Her as a Child: “It’s Hard to Be First”

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Keke Palmer, Keke Palmer Will Smith, Keke Palmer emancipation, keke palmer parents, Is Keke Palmer emancipated? theGrio.com

Like many young people, actress Keke Palmer went through a phase wherein she clashed along with her parents. Recently in a performance at “Toast” podcast.Palmer revealed that fellow actor Will Smith helped her take care of the situation along with her family.

As a child star who has appeared on Nickelodeon and Disney productions, the “Akeelah and the Bee” actress explained how juggling fame has affected her and her family relationships — a lot in order that she admits she once considered emancipating herself from her parents.

Although her lawyer tried to get her into counseling, Palmer said it was Smith’s words that ultimately modified her mind.

“A couple of weeks go by, I’m on the set of ‘True Jackson, Vice President’ and I get a call from a very, very unknown number. And I said, “What? If it was strange, I would not answer,” she said, mentioning that she simply went back to work. Later, while retrieving her phone, Palmer received a voicemail from the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” star.

“Hey Keke. This is Will. We’re here filming ‘The Karate Kid’ with (my son) Jaden and I just want to let you understand that I’ve talked (to your lawyer),’ Palmer continued, impersonating Smith. “He let me know every little thing you are going through and I need you to know that sometimes it’s hard to be the first, but you may do it. Just stay focused, love your loved ones and every little thing shall be high-quality.

Palmer remembers struggling as a child with the attention and fame that got here with climbing the ladder in the entertainment industry. While trying to adjust to the demands of her burgeoning profession, the actress recalls feeling that fame meant she would have to “throw (her) family away.”

“It’s something that happens when you leave and you can become a child artist, you can be the first person in your family to go to college, or you can be the first person in your family to get married,” Palmer said: explaining her feelings at that moment. “There are so many firsts that can happen as the generations of your family grow and evolve.”

Keke Palmer is reclaiming the “narrative” surrounding his relationship with ex Darius Jackson

Ultimately deciding not to undergo the emancipation process, Palmer emphasized the importance of getting a healthy community when navigating the entertainment industry.

“I think I’ve always felt like a lot of people, whether they’re big names or whether they’re my lawyers, have been a good community,” she added. “Also, my parents made sure I was around (people) who would encourage community rather than discord and separation.”

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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