1996 was the year a particular generation was introduced to the talent of Sheryl Lee Ralph during the premiere of “Moesha.”

During the show, she played a wisdom-filled stepmother who gripped our hearts with her relatability, candor, and witty banter. Her character, Dee, became a staple in the late ’90s and would foretell her continued impact on the culture.

While “Moesha” may have been Ralph’s introduction to some, it is not how she got her start in the industry.

Born in Connecticut, Ralph is of Jamaican descent and made her official onscreen debut in 1977, appearing in the Sidney Poitier-directed film “A Piece of the Action.”

From that point, the now 66-year-old actress appeared in a range of television shows and films, tapping in with the culture for her short but impactful role in “Sister Act 2” and hitting the stage as Deena Jones in the Broadway play, “Dream Girls.”

Ralph’s work in the industry is noteworthy, earning her several honors and awards. Most recently, the mother of two won an Emmy in 2022 for Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series for her work on “Abbott Elementary.”

Although the multi-talented entertainer has a decorated career, she also involves herself in important issues.

In 1990, Sheryl Lee Ralph launched the D.I.V.A. Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to advancing the work and awareness around HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. The foundation’s signature event is “DIVAS Simply Singing! Raising Health Awareness,” which is noted as the U.S.’s longest-running benefit concert for the cause.

According to its website, the D.I.V.A. Foundation has raised over $3 million to support organizations that provide needed services.

In addition to the advocacy work with her foundation, Ralph champions pay equity in the entertainment industry. Learning from past mistakes has fueled her passion to see women, especially women of color, have equal playing fields and get what they deserve.

Sheryl Lee Ralph

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