Drake University has named ballerina Misty Copeland as the featured speaker for its 2025 Martin Bucksbaum Distinguished Lecture at 7 p.m. on April 2 at the Knapp Center. Copeland, an award-winning ballet dancer, co-founded Life in Motion Productions and created the nonprofit Misty Copeland Foundation and its “BE BOLD” program, which champions diversity, equity and inclusion in dance. She is also a New York Times bestselling author. She will share about her experience as the first Black woman to be named a principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre and her nonprofit work. Sally Dix, executive director for Bravo Greater Des Moines, will moderate the discussion. The lecture is free and open to the public.