Debbie Allen Recipient Of The Governor’s Award At The 73rd Emmy® Awards

On the night of the 20^th September, the 73^rd Primetime Emmy Awards took place at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles. The Emmy® Awards also known as The Emmys celebrates the best in television and on demand streaming shows. As one of the most prestigious Television Award shows; celebrities as well as industry individuals grace the red carpet for the annual event in their most glamourous designer Haute Couture hand picked or custom made for them just for the night, with many attending in hopes of going home with that ever so coveted Emmy® statuette.

Amongst the many recipients of awards on the night was Debbie Allen who was bestowed with the Governors Award. A veteran in the entertainment industry and most notably for her contribution to dance as a dancer and choreographer; Ms Allen also lists director, producer, singer-songwriter, and actress on her CV.

The award was presented for Debbie Allen’s contributions to television, as well as her commitment to philanthropic and charitable organisations. One of her famous projects include the not-for-profit charitable organisation called The Debbie Allen Dance Academy, to help provide young people of Los Angeles a place where they could learn the art of dance.

During her acceptance speech, Debbie Allen shared that she “is 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 it’s taken a lot of courage to be the only woman in the room most of the time, a lot of courage and creativity and fight and faith to believe that I could keep going and I have.”

As the clock started to countdown during her speech Debbie requested to the producers to turn it off and continued to say, “Let this moment resonate with women across the world, across this country and across the world, from Texas to Afghanistan. For young people, who have no vote, who can’t even get a vaccine, they’re inheriting the world that we live in and will leave them. It’s time for you to claim your power. Claim your voice, sing your song, tell your stories. It will make us a better place. Your turn. Thank you.” A speech worth the extra time and inspirational for women particularly women of colour out there; Debbie Allen is one of the most prolific dancers and choreographers having previously been awarded with the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1991, for her contribution to the television industry, she was appointed by President George W Bush as a member of the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities, has won three Emmys for choreography for the series Fame with other awards including The George and Ira award, an honorary doctorate from her alma mater Howard University, and from the North Carolina School Of the Arts, and a Lifetime Achievement Award by Nia Peeples at The Carnival: Choreographer’s Ball 10th anniversary show.

As an individual who has had to overcome racism within the dance industry, an industry that has a history for not accepting the body frame of black people, as it is deemed as not the “right body type” for ballet. Allen faced racism at the Houston Ballet Academy as well as earl on as a teenager. This experience prompted Allen to focus more on her academics which have been instrumental in developing the foundation that has helped shape who she is today. A pioneer who inspires many black women to keep following their dreams no matter the difficulties along the way, whether it is racism, or sexism which are an everyday occurrence for all black women worldwide. Her forty plus years work within the industry speaks for itself as it spans across a plethora of well known television shows and films not just serving as on screen talent but working behind the scenes as director. She has achieved what many could only dream to achieve in their lifetimes, therefore the Governors Award is beyond deserved and only adds to the inspirational figure she is.

Watch the full clip of Debbie Allen accepting the Governors Award here:

Other previous candidates who have received the Governor’s Award includes Lucille Ball, Johnny Carson, Walter Cronkite, Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis and Tyler Perry.

Debbie Allen’s acceptance of the award was an emotional one as she received a standing ovation upon being announced for the award that followed with her powerful speech which will continue to resonate to many in the decades to come; this is history in the making and it is always humbling and an honour to be able to witness a legacy being formed and for an iconic individual to receive their flowers whilst they are still here to accept them. Congratulations Debbie Allen; we salute you and can only hope for more from you.