Debbie Allen gave a powerful speech at The Kennedy Center Awards and at the 2021 Emmy Awards. Hear what she had to say about the importance of the preforming arts and women’s rights.

“Fresh start for America”

In regards to her Kennedy Center Honor, Debbie Allen stated: “I am truly humbled to be named a Kennedy Center Honoree 2020. This is so much more than our nation’s Highest Artistic Award, it is a measure of how my footprint has resonated as a path of light over the years and in this time of tremendous uncertainty, fear, and search for hope. This glorious achievement I share with my family, mentors, and students who have inspired and pushed me all the way. I look forward to being part of a fresh start for America and reminding the world how essential the Performing Arts are in our lives. Much Gratitude.”

“Claim your power”

At the 2021 Emmy Awards, Debbie Allen gave a powerful speech accepting her Governors Award with a rallying cry to women “across this country and across the world, from Texas to Afghanistan”: “Claim your power, claim your voice, sing your song, tell your stories. It will make us a better place.”

In her speech, Allen acknowledged her 50-plus-year career in entertainment through tears (“It’s taken a lot of courage to be the only woman in the room most of the time”), shouted out collaborators including Steven Spielberg and Shonda Rhimes, and politely shut down the timer clocking her speech — “Honey, turn that clock off. I’m paying no attention to it” — to uproarious applause from the audience.

According to the Emmys website, the Governors Award is presented to those with an “outstanding achievement in the arts and sciences or management of television which is either of a cumulative nature or so extraordinary and universal in nature as to go beyond the scope of the Emmy Awards presented in the categories and areas of the competition.”

About Debbie Allen

Debbie Allen, a BFA graduate of Howard University in Theater and Classical Greek Studies, holds four honorary doctorate degrees, has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and is an award-winning producer, director, writer, actor, and choreographer who has choreographed the Academy Awards® a record 10 times. She has directed and choreographed for legendary artists such as Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, James Earl Jones, Phylicia Rashad, Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Gwen Verdon, Carmen de Lavallade, Diane Carroll, Lena Horne, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dolly Parton, and Savion Glover.

Allen received the Golden Globe for her role as Lydia Grant in the 1980s hit series Fame, the Drama Desk Award for her portrayal of Anita in West Side Story, and is a three-time Emmy Award® winner in Choreography for Fame and The Motown 25th. Awarded 10 Image Awards as director, actress, choreographer, and producer for Fame, A Different World, Motown 25th, The Academy Awards, The Debbie Allen Special, and Amistad, she has also directed the best that network TV offers, including Scandal, How To Get Away With Murder, Jane The Virgin, Empire, and Insecure. She currently serves as Executive Producing Director of Grey’s Anatomy, where she recurs as Dr. Catherine Fox. Her recent Shondaland-produced Documentary, Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker on Netflix, tells a true story of what she does to enlighten, inspire, and engage young people around the world through dance and theater arts. She is the daughter of poet Vivian Ayers and Dr. Andrew Allen, sister to Phylicia Rashad, Andrew “Tex” Allen and Hugh Allen, wife to NBA All-Star Norman Nixon, mother of Vivian and Thump, and grandmother of Shiloh and Aviah.

Learn more about Debbie Allen