Allen—the sister of actress Phylicia Rashad ( best known as Claire Huxtable on The Cosby Show ) —received two Emmys and one Golden Globe for her role as Lydia Grant in the '80s TV series Fame, and was also in the original movie as well as last year's remake. She has also served as a judge on TV's So You Think You Can Dance, and owns the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, located in Los Angeles.

The Department of African American Cultural Affairs is presenting the free event. The Ellen Stone Belic Institute for the Study of Women and Gender in the Arts and Media is hosting.