Rising Stars: Meet Allen Shepherd of Nashville

Today we’d like to introduce you to Allen Shepherd.

Hi Allen, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, I was raised on westside of Detroit by my late grandmother and grandfather, Marjorie and Leroy Shepherd. Growing up playing football was the norm, but something attracted me to the arts. Composing my first poem at the age of 6 and constantly having to perform in front of my Grandmother’s friends, it created an appetite for the arts. Acting was not celebrated in those days for a young boy in a poverty stricken neighborhood, but I didn’t allow that to deter me from the craft. Acting on the stage since the age of 10 to now, I have seen and experienced so much. From depression to homelessness, by the grace of God I still persevered. Where I am now in my career, I owe it all to God, the teachings of my grandmother, and my supportive wife, Shechinah Shepherd, who is also a successful actress. The motivation to keep going is simple. The smile on my wife and children’s faces when they see me on screen and the thought of me making my grandmother proud.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road, but anything easy to obtain is not worth having. I didn’t come up with a traditional two parent household. We didn’t have the finances to help cultivate my aspirations, but one thing my grandmother taught me was to keep going. This is one occupation where the reward isn’t guaranteed. Heck, compensation isn’t promised, but the satisfaction of doing what you love is priceless. I have been homeless, an alcoholic (sober for 6 years, January 15, 2019), and depressed. Along this journey, I highly recommend you surround yourself with a strong and solid support system. There will be thousands of “No’s”, but that one “Yes” is worth it all. I tell anyone if they are looking to get in this industry to get rich, STOP. Work and dive into your craft and take it seriously. You can’t appreciate the sunshine, if you don’t go through the storm. Every TESTimony has to have a TEST.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a working actor who enjoys the journey. Every “No” I use as motivating tool to keep pushing and moving forward. I just wrapped a holiday themed movie that will be premiering this Christmas season. I am most proud of the fact that I told my Grandmother I was going to be an actor and she would see me on television, and she did just that, multiple times. Her last memory was watching me on Lifetime. What sets me apart from others? That’s a great question. I am okay with being vulnerable. My life has taught me a lot of things, and it’s still teaching me, but it’s the greatest professor. Learn to be free and not concern yourself with others opinions and validation and do what what makes you happy. That’s what sets me apart.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
NEVER give up. Life isn’t easy and it doesn’t come with a handbook, but it does give you the tools to write your own story. Make sure you are creating a novel that can be cherished for generations to come.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @peppysblessed
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shep313
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@actingwithallen?si=w71WgAYs81IX973e