Remember Her Name!: Debbie Allen’s Rise to Fame

Young Debbie Allen is destined for fame, and everyone will know her name! This poetic, uplifting biography celebrates the life and achievements of a Black icon for young readers ages 5–8.

New York Times bestselling author Tami Charles shares Debbie Allen’s inspiring story of perseverance, determination, and triumph while growing up during the Civil Rights Movement and the era of Jim Crow in the American South.

As a young girl, Debbie Allen was denied admission to her local dance school because of segregation. Determined to help Debbie pursue her dream, her mother moved with her to Mexico, where Debbie studied ballet at the Ballet Nacional de México. When they returned to Texas, Debbie was accepted into the Houston Ballet Foundation as the company’s first Black dancer, marking the beginning of a legendary career.

Inspired by award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Tami Charles’s interviews with the living legend herself, dancer and actor Debbie Allen, this heartfelt biography celebrates creativity, perseverance, and a pivotal chapter in Debbie’s remarkable journey.