Actress Keshia Knight Pulliam, C'2001, received the Urban League of Greater Atlanta’s 2016 Spirit of the League Champion Award for her work as an advocate for underserved communities. She was honored at the Sixth Annual Spirit of the League Awards Luncheon at the Twelve Hotel in Atlanta. Pulliam has worked on several TV and film projects, and is well known for her childhood role as Rudy Huxtable on “The Cosby Show.”
Pulliam received the Phoenix Award and Community Service Award from the City of Atlanta, as well as the Daily Point of Light Award from the Points of Light Foundation.
Pulliam graduated with honors from Spelman College in 2001 with a bachelor of arts in sociology and a concentration in film. While at Spelman her entrepreneurial spirit grew as well as her love for political activism and philanthropy. As both a Spelman Bonner Scholar and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Pulliam became and remains very active as an advocate for underserved communities.
Upon graduation from Spelman College, Pulliam continued acting, starring in several TV movies including, “What About Your Friends: Weekend Getaway” and “ Christmas At Water’s Edge”. In 2005, she returned to the big screen in “Beauty Shop.” In 2007, Pulliam joined the cast of Tyler Perry’s award-winning show “House of Payne,” as Miranda Payne, a role for which she won four NAACP Image Awards.
In 2009, Pulliam starred in “Madea Goes To Jail,” as Candace. “Madea Goes To Jail” is Tyler Perry’s highest grossing movie to date earning over $90 million.
Recognizing her tremendous blessings spanning decades in the entertainment business, in 2010 Pulliam started her non-profit the Kamp Kizzy Foundation. Using her background in sociology, Pulliam has created a free mentorship camp for youth ages 11-16 in Atlanta. Kamp Kizzy attracts kids from around the county. In 2015, to celebrate Kamp Kizzy’s 5th year, Pulliam will launch her newest initiative Project James, a mentoring camp designed specifically for boys ages 11-16. She also runs Kamp Kizzy International Bahamas.