This summer, the Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA) marked its 25th anniversary with a series of inspiring events on Martha’s Vineyard, which coincided with the 2025 UPTOWN House. When longtime friend and fellow dance mom Stacie Jones asked Allen how she’d like to celebrate this milestone, Allen—who had always heard about the Vineyard’s beauty—knew it was the perfect place.

On August 9, supporters gathered for a special cocktail fundraiser, where an incredible host committee rallied friends, neighbors, and community leaders to uplift DADA’s mission. With most students attending on scholarship, the Academy depends on this kind of generosity to keep doors open for young people who dream of singing, acting, and dancing. That evening, the Vineyard community raised more than $91,000 to support DADA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Earlier in the day, Allen joined the Martha’s Vineyard African-American Film Festival to screen a classic episode of A Different World, followed by a moving conversation with director Mara Brock Akil. A standout moment came when Brock Akil asked about Allen’s iconic Fame line: “What has fame cost you?”—a reminder that “Fame costs, and right here is where you start paying, in sweat.”

The celebration continued on August 10, as DADA partnered with the Martha’s Vineyard Boys & Girls Club for a donation-based community dance class taught by Allen herself. Participants of all ages came together, embodying DADA’s mission of making the arts accessible to everyone.

Reflecting on the weekend, Debbie expressed her love for the Vineyard and left us with a hint of what’s next, “I love it here, I can see this being an annual event.”