Debbie Allen once said, “Failure: Is it a limitation? Bad timing? It’s a lot of things. It’s something you can’t be afraid of, because you’ll stop growing. The next step beyond failure could be your biggest success in life.” After all, “out of limitations comes creativity.”
Allen is an actress, choreographer, director, and producer best known for her roles in movies and TV shows like FAME, Jane the Virgin, and Grey’s Anatomy. Not only is she a Golden Globe winner, she is also a three time Emmy Award-winner. This year, Allen will receive yet another award, this time a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Gracie Awards for her work and achievements for and about women in the media.
The Gracie Awards were named after Gracie Allen and created by The Alliance for Women in Media (AWMF) in order to recognize women who are making a difference in the world of media and entertainment. The awards focus on “women who are making positive change and who further the discussion of what a fulfilling career in media looks like.”
Sarah Foss, chair of AWMF and Chief Product Officer, Advertising Management Systems, for Imagine Communications, said, “Debbie Allen’s vision to follow her passion in the face of adversity mirrors everything we stand for at the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation.”
She went on to say, “Her commitment to inspire others to follow their dreams, no matter what society may tell us, is a legacy we want to recognize with our highest honor. Debbie’s inimitable achievements over the last forty years have opened doors for women from all walks of life and we are thrilled to celebrate her achievements at the Gracie Awards.”
Allen has been shattering glass ceilings for women everywhere. Not only was she the first African American woman to win a Golden Globe for Best TV Actress in a Musical Comedy or Series, she has also been active in the nonprofit world. In 2001, she founded the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in LA. The dance academy is a non-profit organization that “offers a comprehensive dance curriculum to students ages four and up.”
Allen believes that dance is a universal language that can create a bridge between people, despite their differences. She even says, “In places around the world where we do not speak the same language, or even understand that we pray to the same God, we dance to the same beat.”
About the award, Allen said, “I’m truly honored to receive this recognition and be included among such a glorious group of past and present honorees who have been pioneers for women in media. This award isn’t just for me. This award is for every woman who’s had the courage to stand up for what she believes in and have her voice heard. Thank you to the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation for continuing to celebrate us and pushing women to be at the forefront of our industry.”
Debbie Allen has certainly earned her accolades, and we can’t wait to see what she will do next.
Featured Image by Red Carpet Report on Mingle Media TV on Flickr
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