Misty Copeland helped to organize ballerinas around the world to participate in a virtual dance to raise money for fellow performers who are out of work and struggling financially due to the coronavirus pandemic.

On Wednesday, Copeland and fellow ballet dancer Joseph Phillips launched an initiative called Swans for Relief , for which they teamed up with 31 ballet dancers from 14 different countries to join Copeland in a charity video performance.

Many dancers are unable to depend on paychecks and are facing the hardship of paying rent and/or buying food and other necessities, said the initiatives GoFundMe page. We are coming together to help fellow dancers who are struggling financially.

Copeland, who became the first Black woman in history to be promoted to principal dancer in the American Ballet Theatre, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that she was amazed by the dance communitys willingness to join her efforts.

Once youre let go of a company, its really difficult to find work again within that company or another company. So I started reaching out to my friends, she said. And it was just incredible that everyone I was reaching out to, I was just shocked that it was like: Yes! Im in!