Misty Copeland will take to the ballet stage one last time, before hanging up her pointe shoes

Misty Copeland hangs up her pointe shoes Wednesday, putting a final exclamation point on a trailblazing career in which she became an ambassador for diversity in the very white world of ballet - and a crossover star far beyond.

- by Jocelyn Noveck AP National Writer

Copeland will be feted in grand style as American Ballet Theatre devotes a gala evening to her retirement after 25 years with the company. Copeland joined ABT as a teenager and, a decade ago, became the first Black female principal dancer in its 75-year history.

In a way, the gala will be both a return and a departure for Copeland. She'll be dancing with the company for the first time in five years. During that time, Copeland has been raising a young son with her husband.

She's also continued her career as an author — the second volume of her "Bunheads" series appeared in September — and worked to increase diversity in the dance world through her namesake foundation, including "Be Bold," an afterschool program designed for young children of color.

But Copeland decided to dust off the pointe shoes so she could have one last spin on the ABT stage — including a duet as Juliet, one of the most passionate roles in ballet. Though she has not closed the door on dancing altogether, it's clear an era is ending.