Misty Copeland has finally sung her swan (lake) song. The ballet icon, who made history as the American Ballet Theatre’s first Black woman to hold the title of principal dancer, performed for the last time at the theater’s fall gala at Lincoln Center in New York City on Oct. 22.

“It’s been 25 years at ABT, and I think it’s time,” she told The Associated Press back in June, when she announced her retirement. “It’s time for me to move to the next stage.”

During her tenure, Copeland has championed diversity, equity, and inclusion in dance. She founded the after-school program “ Be Bold ,” which was designed to make ballet more accessible and affordable for young kids of color in New York City.

At the gala, dancers and celebrities alike sang praises for her final turn on the renowned stag

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