Young Women's Leadership Conference: The Next Generation

What does it mean to be a leader? It was one of the many questions posed to young women who attended the Young Women’s Leadership Conference in late February. Leadership, according to legendary dancer Misty Copeland, the first Black woman named as principal dancer in the American Ballet Theatre’s 75-year history, is about defying barriers and pursuing your passion. KERA’s Krys Boyd interviewed Mrs. Copeland for the conference’s Debbie Storey Keynote Address.

The arts, many of the students observed, can be a powerful vehicle for harnessing leadership skills.

It was really cool to hear Misty say it—to take hardships as growth opportunities and learn from them, said dance student Vivianna Gantt from Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.

Gantt said she has learned how to apply skills learned in dance, like communication, determinations, and adaptability, to her everyday life, but that above all else, she believes true leadership is built off empathy, compassion, and collaboration.

To be a leader, you have to have the ability to listen and respect the opinions of others.

Another student, Ve’Yhata Munn from South Oak Cliff High School, said she learned how to see dance as a metaphor for life’s curveballs.

You create the movement. You’re going to struggle sometimes, but dance can teach you how to pivot, so you’re the leader of your own life. My role models are Janae Harrington, Princess LaStar, and Mrs. Rodgers. She [Mrs. Rodgers] encourages us to try even when we feel like something’s impossible. She is always concerned about us being good dancers, but she also wants us to be great people beyond the dance floor.

The Young Women’s Leadership Conference connects high school women, grades 9-12, with accomplished female artists and leaders to develop life and leadership skills through the study of the performing arts. 2026 marks the conference’s 7th year, debuting in 2018 with special guest Former First Lady Michelle Obama, who made a subsequent appearance in the 2019 conference.

Thanks to Sponsors, Jill B. Louis and Thrivent, Young Women’s Preparatory Network, Debbie Storey Fund, Fossil Group, Dallas Mavericks, and Toyota, PepsiCo, for their support of the annual event, as well as Individual Underwriters, the Embrey Family Foundation, Ayanna Lonian, Cristin Dalecki, The Halperin Foundation, DeMetris Sampson, Lili Clark & Caren Prothro, Sarah Losinger, and Alexine & Warren Tranquada.