Get on your feet forDebbie Allen!
The choreographer, director, producer and actress received the Governors Award at the 73rd PrimetimeEmmy Awardsfor her numerous contributions to television, her commitment to inspiring marginalized youth through the performing arts and mentorship, and her philanthropic endeavors.
“I am trembling with gratitude and grace, I’m trying not to cry and be equal to the situation because it’s been many years in the making, taking a lot of courage to be the only woman in the room most of the time, a lot of courage and creativity and faith to believe that I could keep going. And I have,” Allen, 71, said while accepting the honor on Sunday. “And I brought a whole lot of people with me, so I want to say thank you for this glorious moment in the sun.”
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After waiting so long for this recognition, Allen made sure she had plenty of time to give her speech.
“Honey, turn that clock off. I’m paying no attention to it, turn it off. Turn it off,” she said to the producers, upon seeing a countdown clock indicating how long she had to speak.
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“Let this moment resonate with women across the world, across this country and across the world, from Texas to Afghanistan,” she said near the end of her speech. “Let them know. And also with young people who have no vote and who can’t even get a vaccine, they’re inheriting the world that we live that we leave them. It is time for you to claim your power, claim your voice, say your song, tell your stories, it will make us a better place. Your turn. Thank you.”
Allen got her start training with the Houston Ballet Academy, then continued to dance through high school. While in college at Howard University, she attended the American Dance Festival in New London, Connecticut, where she metAlvin Aileyand Twyla Tharp.
Jesse Williams in Grey’s Anatomy.Kelsey McNeal via Getty
RELATED VIDEO: Debbie Allen Reflects on How ‘Fame’ Gave Her the “Key to the Kingdom” and Turned Her Love of Dance Into a Career
In 2000, Allen opened the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in Los Angeles to bring dance and theater arts to marginalized students. Today, the nonprofit school provides services on-site to over 3,000 participants each year; grants extensive scholarships to students; and invests in classes specially designed for cancer patients, seniors, and women and children who have experienced domestic abuse. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Allentook her curriculum onlinewith the Debbie Allen Dance Academy Virtual Dance World, a series of custom and on-demand classes available through Zoom for a small donation.
Allen joins the ranks ofLucille Ball,Johnny Carson, Walter Cronkite, Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis andTyler Perry, who have all received the Governors Award since it debuted in 1978.
source: people.com
