legendary entertainer debbie allen is among this year's kennedy center honorees cynthia mcfadden asked her about her secrets to success, lessons that are inspiring america. >> one, two. >> i could get this country straight, honey, if i could just get them at a ballet bar. bend down, honey, come on plie, let's go >> debbie allen has also believed in the power of dance >> you've got big dreams you want fame. well, fame costs >> reporter: now 71, allen turned her big dreams into an even bigger reality >> ambition is important. because if you can't imagine yourself beyond where you are now, where are you going to go? nowhere. >> reporter: we sat down with her just before covid struck and before america's latest racial reckoning. >> i grew up in texas in the '50s, '60s. segregation was the way of life.