“Because I'm black, people think I'm not capable of being delicate, only athletic…” — Michaela DePrince

I always wanted to be very delicate, but my thing was power. Then I realised I could use that power to jump as high as the boys.

I want to be known as a delicate, Black dancer who does classical ballet.

When I was growing up my mother made certain that I was exposed to people of all races and religions who were intelligent, educated, good, and caring. These included social workers, doctors, lawyers, teachers, and especially ballerinas.

I worked very hard and I was en pointe by the time I was seven years old.