The Honourable Sheryl Lee Ralph, OJ Sheryl Lee Ralph has carved an illustrious path in the entertainment industry, spanning over three decades. She is cele- brated for her versa琀椀lity as an Emmy Winner, Golden Globe nominee, Cri琀椀cs Choice Winner, Tony Award nominee, NAACP Image Award nominee, and Independent Spirit Award winner. At present, Sheryl graces the screens on ABC's hit comedy series "Abbo琀琀 Elementary," portraying Barbara, a revered teacher. This workplace comedy, centered around a group of dedicated teachers, has received rave reviews, with Sheryl's performance earning her numerous accolades. Her portrayal garnered her the Outstanding Suppor琀椀ng Actress in a Come- dy Series Emmy award, the Cri琀椀cs Choice award for Best Suppor琀椀ng Actor, a Golden Globe nomina琀椀on, and recogni琀椀on at the Film Independent Spirit Awards and Hollywood Cri琀椀cs Associa琀椀on Awards. Her television journey has seen her excel in various roles, including her appearances in over 100 episodes of "Moesha" alongside Brandy, and a leading role opposite Tia Mowry in Nickelodeon's "Instant Mom." Notably, she starred with Jon Voight in Show琀椀me's "Ray Donovan" and has made guest appearances on several series, showcasing her dynamic range. Sheryl's cinema琀椀c endeavors are equally impressive. She has shared the screen with iconic names like Denzel Washington, Robert de Niro, Danny Glover, and Eddie Murphy. Her Independent Spirit Award for Best Suppor琀椀ng Actress is a testament to her impac琀昀ul performance in "To Sleep with Anger." She also le昀琀 her mark in "Sister Act II" alongside Whoopi Goldberg. Beyond ac琀椀ng, Sheryl has excelled as a writer and director. Her short 昀椀lm "Secrets," featuring Alfre Woodard and Robin Givens, earned recogni琀椀on in various compe琀椀琀椀ons and 昀椀lm fes琀椀vals. She is also the crea琀椀ve force behind the Jamerican Film and Music Fes琀椀val. Her recent movies include collabora琀椀ons with Morgan Freeman, Naturi Naughton, and Lena Waithe. Theater has witnessed Sheryl's ar琀椀stry as well. She originated the role of Deena Jones in the iconic Broadway musical "Dreamgirls," which garnered her Tony and Drama Desk Award nomina琀椀ons. Sheryl's recent Broadway appearance as Ma- dame Horrible in "Wicked" broke barriers as the 昀椀rst African-American actress to take on the role. Her producing credits extend to Broadway's "Thoughts of a Colored Man," a profound explora琀椀on of Black lives. Sheryl's debut book, "Rede昀椀ning Diva: Life Lessons from the Original Dreamgirl," achieved na琀椀onal bestseller status. Through her wri琀椀ng, she o昀昀ers personal insights into her journey, empowering others with courage, wit, and resilience. Beyond her ar琀椀s琀椀c endeavors, Sheryl's commitment to philanthropy and advocacy is remarkable. She founded the DIVA Founda琀椀on in memory of friends lost to HIV/AIDS, using her pla琀昀orm to raise awareness. Her enduring "Divas Simply Singing!" AIDS bene昀椀t event has gained recogni琀椀on as the longest consecu琀椀ve running musical AIDS bene昀椀t in the United States. She received the inaugural Red Ribbon Award at the UN for her impac琀昀ul use of the arts in HIV/AIDS ac琀椀vism. Jamaica's Ministry of Health appointed her as an AIDS Ambassador. In her personal life, Sheryl thrives as a devoted mother and spouse to Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes. 22 23