Phylicia Rashad

Best known as Clair Huxtable from "The Cosby Show," and the first black actress to win a Tony for a dramatic leading role, Rashad is a committed advocate for children, women's issues, and fine arts.

Travels From:  New York

SPEECH TOPICS

Where the Women Go, the Culture Goes
The Healing Power of the Arts

Leading a Conscious Life: The Importance of Volunteerism

Enjoying the Journey of Life

ABOUT Phylicia Rashad

Phylicia Rashad's reputation as one of America's most diversified entertainment talents continues to grow.

Known to millions of fans worldwide as Clair Huxtable from "The Cosby Show," Rashad earned two Emmy Award nominations and a People's Choice Award for "Favorite Television Female Performer" during her eight years on the show. She also earned an NAACP Image Award for "Best Actress in a Comedy Series" for her role as Ruth Lucas on "Cosby."

Successful on the stage as well, Rashad completed a leading role in the New York production of "Blue" and has starred on Broadway in "Into the Woods," "Jelly's Last Jam," "Dreamgirls," "The Wiz," and "Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death." Most recently, she became the first black actress to win a Tony Award for a dramatic leading role, which she received for her portrayal of Lena Younger in the Broadway revival of "A Raisin in the Sun."

Rashad made her debut as executive producer, co-producing and co-starring with her sister, Debbie Allen, in "The Old Settler," a production that launched the new PBS national television drama series "PBS Hollywood Presents." Her other television credits include guest appearances in the series "Touched By An Angel," "A Different World" and roles in the television films "David's Mother," "Free of Eden," "False Witness", "Jailbirds" and "Polly" and "Polly Comin' Home!," both directed by her sister, Debbie Allen.

Rashad, who is also an established singer, has shared the stage with Bill Cosby in Las Vegas and performed with the Dallas Symphony and the Oklahoma Symphony. She received a NAACP Image Award Nomination for her role in "Once Upon A Time When We Were Colored."

The daughter of a highly creative Houston family - her mother is a Pulitzer Prize-nominated poet and scholar, and her sister Debbie is a noted Broadway and television choreographer/director/actress - Rashad graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in fine arts from Howard University. She is a recipient of Harvard University's Foundation Award and is an active participant in charitable and non-profit organizations. She supports the work of the PRASAD Project, an international charitable organization designed to help communities by giving them the tools and opportunities they need for self-reliance.

Rashad is also committed to the mission of Children's Hospital, which provides premium pediatric health care and services to children in the District of Columbia, and to RNT - Recruiting New Teachers. In addition to supporting these organizations, Rashad is dedicated to communicating the importance of the Fine Arts in education.

TESTIMONIALS

"She captivated our audience with her speech. Most important of all, she empowered the women and touched their hearts." — Women's Federation for World Peace