Commencement Speaker - Dr. Debbie Allen
In a career that spans three decades, the name Debbie Allen is synonymous with dynamic energy, creative talent and innovation.
For her vast body of work, Ms. Allen has earned six Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe, five NAACP Image Awards, a Drama Desk, and the first Astaire Award (for Best Dancer). Her production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof on London鈥檚 West End won the Olivier Award. She holds five honorary Doctorate degrees, is a Kennedy Center Honoree, and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
She was appointed by President George W. Bush to represent the United States as a Cultural Ambassador of Dance. She has been artist in residence at the Kennedy Center for over 15 years, writing and directing original works with the legendary Arturo Sandoval and James Ingram, such as: Pepito鈥檚 Story, Brothers of the Knight, Dreams, Alex in Wonderland, Soul Possessed, Pearl, Dancing in the Wings, Oman O Man and Freeze Frame鈥 Stop the Madness. Her stage credits also include Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (on Broadway and London鈥檚 West End).
Her long list of directing and producing credits include television classics such as Fame, Grey鈥檚 Anatomy (where she also recurs as Dr. Catherine Avery), Scandal, How To Get Away With Murder, Jane the Virgin, Empire, Insecure, A Different World, Everybody Hates Chris, Stompin鈥 At The Savoy, Polly, That鈥檚 So Raven, Cool Women, Quantum Leap, The Fantasia Barrino Story, Christmas on the Square, Ms. Pat, and Sam Jackon鈥檚 The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey. She is currently the Executive Producing Director for Grey鈥檚 Anatomy in its 19th season.
Ms. Allen was the creative force behind Steven Spielberg鈥檚 Oscar-nominated epic, Amistad. She holds the distinction of choreographing the Academy Awards ten times.
She is influenced by the legendary artists who directed and trained her, among them: Katherine Dunham, Alvin Ailey, Bob Fosse, Jerome Robbins, Donald McKayle, Gil Cates, Alan Johnson, Derek Walcott, Twyla Tharp, Tatiana Semenova, Louis Johnson, Jo Jo Smith, Mike Malone, Gerald Freedman, Henry LeTang, Willie Covan, Patsy Swayze, George Faison and Kenny Solms.
Ms. Allen has directed and choreographed such legendary artists as Lena Horne, Sammy Davis Jr., Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Will Smith, James Earl Jones, Phylicia Rashad, Gregory Peck, Mariah Carey, Queen Latifah, Dolly Parton and Savion Glover.
With her keen eye for talent, Ms. Allen discovered actors such as Jada Pinkett Smith, Gary Dourdan, and Jasmine Guy. She was responsible for giving Mia Michaels her first job choreographing for television, on Cool Women.
A true devotee of Arts Education for young people, she has trained some of the most dynamic young talent on the scene today - Vivian Nixon, William Wingfield, Jada Grace Gordy, Taylour Paige, Dion Watson, Kylie Jefferson, Wayne Mackins, Chase Maxwell, Danny Tidwell, Corbin Bleu, Hannah Blake, Ryan Phuong, Peyton Elizabeth Lee and Geffri Maya.
Her recent Shondaland production of Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker on Netflix tells the true and inspiring story of what she does to enlighten, inspire and engage young people around the world through dance and theater arts.
In 2001, she and her husband Norman Nixon founded the nonprofit Debbie Allen Dance Academy in Los Angeles. The school鈥檚 mission is to fill a void for youth who inhabit the spirit of dance and need the opportunity to discover what is possible. A native of Houston, Texas, she is the daughter of poet Vivian Ayers and Dr. Andrew A. Allen, wife of NBA All-Star Norman Nixon, sister of Phylicia Rashad, Tex Allen and Hugh Allen, mother of Vivian Nichole and Thump, and grandmother of Shiloh and Aviah.
Baccalaureate Speaker - Rev. Chaloea E. Hale
Reverend Chaloea E. Hale is a native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and the daughter of the late Charles E. and Reverend Tueresa A. Palmer. As a preacher鈥檚 kid, Chaloea was actively involved in her church and within the community of Harrisburg.
As a child, Rev. Hale developed a unique curiosity about television. After graduating from high school, she pursued her passion for the television industry by moving to Atlanta, Georgia where she earned a Bachelor of Mass Media Arts from 91制片厂. She began her career as a member of the production team at WAGA FOX 5 Atlanta. Later, Rev. Hale returned to her alma mater to work at the 91制片厂 TV station. Leveraging her media experience, she started mentoring other young professionals to prepare them for careers in the industry. This journey inspired her to follow her call to ordained ministry and seminary. Rev. Hale obtained her Master of Divinity from Gammon Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
Rev. Hale brings her spiritual gifts to ministry in numerous ways that are driven by her deep love for youth and children. She began her ministry journey as the Youth Minister at Andrews Chapel United Methodist Church in Jonesboro, Georgia, and later took on the role of Director of Children and Youth Ministries at Hoosier Memorial United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. She was then appointed as Lead Pastor of Rivertown United Methodist Church in Fairburn, Georgia. As an Elder in Full Connection, Rev. Hale was the first African American clergy under Episcopal Appointment to serve Smyrna First United Methodist Church in Smyrna, Georgia as the Associate Pastor of Congregational Care. Currently, Rev. Hale is honored to serve as the Senior Pastor of Bethel United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia.
Rev. Hale is active in the community through the mission and ministries of Bethel UMC and also works alongside local organizations that serve the Southwest Atlanta community. Rev. Hale extends her ministry beyond the church walls by sharing the Good News on social media through the Friday Inspirations Series that uplifts and motivates a broader audience of Faith Seekers.
Rev. Hale holds her family near and dear to her heart. Chaloea is happily married to Craig Hale (CAU Class of 2006), and they have two beautiful children: Anaiah and Craig, II. She is thankful for her parents-in-love, Rev. Dr. Wimbley Hale, Jr. (CC Class of 1966) and Mrs. Mae Williams Hale (CC Class of 1973). Chaloea is also a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. When she is not ministering to God鈥檚 people, you will find Rev. Hale at the beach, on a cruise, or spending time with family and close friends. Most of all, Rev. Hale remains committed to 鈥淕o and make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.鈥 As she continues to grow in the love of God, Matthew 28:19-20 will remain in her heart as she is called to be a vessel for The Kingdom of God.
