It’s official — Abbott Elementary star and living legend Sheryl Lee Ralph has received her long-overdue star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and she used the moment to deliver what might be one of the most moving, motivational, and affirming speeches the Walk has ever seen.
Originally scheduled for January, the rescheduled ceremony took place Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 6623 Hollywood Blvd, where Ralph was honored with the 2,808th star in the Television category. Before moving us behind the mic, Nichelle Turner, Loretta Devine and Quinta Brunson spoke high praise of her. And while the recognition itself was well-deserved, it was the words she shared — raw, reflective, and rooted in resilience — that left a lasting impact.
“I can still feel the determined spirit of that little girl who dared to dream big,” she said, standing tall and grounded in the moment. “Growing up, I felt my big dreams had to be whispered, because that kind of ambition could be mistaken for arrogance.”
Throughout her 15-minute speech, Ralph didn’t just thank the usual names — she reached back. She spoke directly to her Abbott Elementary family, recognizing Quinta Brunson, as well as Loretta Devine for their support. She brought up her earliest friendships, the mentors who paved the way, and the casting directors who said “no” but unknowingly redirected her to even greater purpose.
“You see me now, but I don’t look like my journey,” she told the crowd. “There were days, and not so long ago, I couldn’t even get in the room for the audition. And now, I’m literally cemented as part of the industry’s foundation.”
Ralph shared stories from her early days, recalling how she and a friend once split a single slice of pizza and a free glass of water in New York City because they couldn’t afford more. She shouted out her first agent, her longtime accountant, and Miss May, who’s been with her in her home life through the years. She even honored the legacy of trailblazing women who came before her — Ruby Dee, Rosaline Cash, Cicely Tyson, Virginia Capers — reminding the crowd that her star is a symbol of not just her work, but their light.
“This star isn’t just mine,” she said. “It belongs to every performer who made space for me when there seemed to be no space… and to every artist who’s ever felt unseen. Every woman who was told to wait her turn. Every dreamer who heard ‘no’ but kept working and dreaming anyway.”
And it wasn’t just a look back — Ralph made space to speak directly to the now.
In an era where book bans, erasure of history, and attacks on civil rights are happening in real time, Ralph didn’t miss the moment:
“The arts are not a luxury. The arts are a lifeline. They tell the truth when truth is being twisted. They remind us who we are when others try to forget it.”
Her speech crescendoed into a message for every dreamer out there: those who’ve been told “you’re too much,” “you’re too Black,” or “you’re not enough.” Her message? Keep going anyway.
“Dreams don’t have an expiration date. It is only over when you say it’s over.”
It’s a full-circle win for a woman who’s given so much to the screen and the stage. From her Tony-nominated performance in Dreamgirls to her Emmy-winning role on Abbott Elementary, Ralph’s career has spanned decades — but it’s this moment that ties it all together.
“This star,” she said as she looked out at the crowd, “it is not the finish line. It’s the starting block.”
Watch her full speech below — and trust us, you’ll want to bookmark it for the days you need reminding of your own power.