Candace Allen (author) facts for kids

Candace Allen was born in 1950 in the United States. She is a talented writer, a political activist, and a screenwriter. She lives in London, England.

Candace Allen made history as the first African-American woman to join the Directors Guild of America. This is a group for people who direct movies and TV shows. She is also the niece of famous actress and drama coach Billie Allen. She was once married to the well-known British conductor Sir Simon Rattle.

As a writer, Candace Allen has written a novel called Valaida. She also wrote a non-fiction book titled Soul Music: The Pulse of Race and Music. She often writes for The Guardian newspaper and other publications.

About Candace Allen's Life

Candace Allen was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1950. When she was six years old, her family moved to Stamford, Connecticut.

Her Education and Early Career

She went to Harvard University and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree. While at Harvard in the late 1960s and early 1970s, she helped create the African and African-American Studies Department. This department studies the history and culture of people of African descent. After Harvard, she studied at the New York University School of Film and Television.

Later, she became the first African-American woman to become a member of the Directors Guild of America. This was a big achievement!

Working in Film and Helping Others

In the 1970s, Candace Allen moved to Los Angeles, California. For 20 years, she worked as an assistant director on movies and TV shows. She also became a screenwriter, writing scripts for films.

She helped start a group called Reel Black Women. This group supported African-American women working in the film industry. She also created a counseling group for young Black women at Jordan High School in Watts. She ran this group for four years.

Moving to the United Kingdom

In 1994, Candace Allen moved to the UK. She married British conductor Simon Rattle in 1996. They were married until 2004. Because her husband was a knight, she was sometimes known as Lady Candace or Lady Rattle during their marriage.

Candace Allen's Writing Career

Candace Allen is known for her two main books. She writes about interesting topics and shares her unique perspective.

Her First Book: Valaida

Her first book, Valaida, was published in 2004. It is a fictional story based on the life of Valaida Snow. Valaida Snow was an amazing African-American female jazz trumpeter. In the book, Candace Allen "brought to life an extraordinary woman working in a predominantly male world."

Reviewers praised Valaida. One reviewer said that Allen helps readers understand what it felt like to be a musician like Valaida. The book shows the challenges of touring in racist towns and dealing with agents. It also gives a fascinating look at the jazz and vaudeville stages before the 1960s.

Her Latest Book: Soul Music

Candace Allen's most recent book is Soul Music: The Pulse of Race and Music. It was published in 2012 and received good reviews. This book is described as part-travelogue, part-memoir, and part-manifesto. This means it combines stories about travel, personal memories, and strong opinions.

A review in the New Statesman said that Allen "opens her ears and mind in wonder at everything she has seen and heard." She celebrates and questions the ideas that shaped her life.

Other Writing and Awards

Candace Allen writes regularly for The Guardian newspaper in London. She also contributes to other newspapers. In 2018, she received a McDowell fellowship for literature. This is an award that helps writers focus on their work. She also contributed to the 2019 book New Daughters of Africa, which was put together by Margaret Busby.

Other Activities and Interests

Candace Allen is involved in many activities beyond writing. She is a strong voice for important causes.

Political Activism

She was very active in the "Americans Abroad for Obama" group. This group helped campaign for Barack Obama to become president in 2008. After that, she often spoke on radio and television about American culture, race, and politics. She shares her thoughts and ideas on these important topics.

Board Membership

Candace Allen is also a board member of the Chineke! Foundation. This foundation supports and celebrates Black and ethnically diverse classical musicians.