Achievement First marked our 25th anniversary with a joyful AF25 Summit in New Haven, the city where it all began. We gathered at the Omni Hotel, joined by hundreds of AF educators, alumni, supporters, students, and families, to celebrate this milestone and look ahead to the future. The event opened with a special guest, world-renowned ballet dancer Misty Copeland. In front of a packed ballroom, Copeland shared her extraordinary story, from discovering dance at age 13 in San Pedro, to becoming the first Black principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre. She offered a powerful message about resilience, representation, and the life-changing power of the arts. She reminded us that with determination and belief in yourself, anything is possible. Her keynote resonated deeply, bringing many to their feet. One of our amazing AF students, London, shared something she learned from Misty: "Keep going and don’t worry about the stuff that is going around. Try to find the positive in everything and just perform." The inspiration didn’t stop there. After her speech, Misty spent time in a special meet and greet with several of our AF dance students. She offered encouragement, shared insights from her journey, and urged students to keep pursuing their dreams. These one-on-one moments made a lasting impact, reminding our students of the power of seeing someone who has broken barriers and paved the way. Our AF community, educators, staff, families, and scholars left the Summit inspired, energized, and ready to imagine what’s possible for the next 25 years and beyond. As CEO Lisa Margosian said, Copeland’s message beautifully captured the heart of our mission: creating real access, opening pathways, and helping students envision futures beyond their zip codes. The AF25 Summit wasn’t just a moment to celebrate how far we’ve come, it was a spark to fuel the work ahead. Misty Copeland’s keynote reminded us all of the joy, confidence, and opportunity that the arts and education can bring to every student. Enjoy these photos from Misty’s speech and the meet and greet with our dance students. And be sure to check out the NBC Connecticut article covering this unforgettable moment!