Ballerina Misty Copeland credits her success to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America

American ballerina Misty Copeland said Thursday that she credits her success in ballet to her involvement as a young girl in the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Copeland, who now works as an ambassador for the group, joined CBSN on Thursday to discuss the group's 2021 Youth of the Year winner and why she believes the nation's future leaders are in the club right now. .

Copeland said that she became a member of her local Boys & Girls Club at seven years old, which she said was extremely influential on her future as a ballerina.

"From the situations that I grew up in, you know, being houseless for most of my youth, just struggling daily, it was that structure and base that was built at the Boys & Girls Club that prepared me to be a ballerina," Copeland said

"I can't wait to represent, not only my Boys & Girls club but America's Boys & Girls Club," said Brianna, whose last name was not released