American Actress, vocalist and a classically trained pianist
North Carolina School of the Arts
Spelman College Board of Trustees: Elected in 2020
City of Residence: Los Angeles, California
Pauletta Pearson Washington is an American actress. A graduate of North Carolina School of the Arts, she is also a vocalist and a classically trained pianist.
Widely recognized for her role as Terri Angelou from 2002 to 2004 in the television comedy series "The Parkers," where she played the role of Terri Angelou from 2002 to 2004, she also starred in the television series "Happily Ever After Fairy Tales for Every Child." In 2017, Washington appeared in the television series "She's Gotta Have It" playing the role of character Miss Ella Chisholm. She has also had roles in several films including, "Beloved," "Steps," "90 Days," and "The Real MVP: The Wanda Durant Story."
She is married to actor, director and producer Denzel Washington and is the mother of four children including Morehouse alumnus, John David Washington, C’2006.
Recently, she was cast in a recurring role in the limited series "Genius: Aretha," about the life of and legacy of the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, which is scheduled to premiere on National Geographic channels in 172 countries and 43 languages.
Washington is one of the founding and executive members of The Brain Trust of Cedars-Sinai – a group that raises awareness and funds for brain care and research. She and her husband both have been involved with the organization for over 20 years. Their family has also established the Pauletta and Denzel Washington Gifted Scholars Program -- a community outreach program that enables undergraduate, graduate and medical students, with an interest in science, to work on exciting research projects underway in neurosciences at Cedars-Sinai. More than 25 Washington Scholars have completed the program and many of them have continued their work at prestigious institutions throughout the United States and United Kingdom.
I am happy to be of service to this Institution. I grew up in a family that was very active in and dedicated to educational pursuits and I have always been interested in helping and using my talents in ways that will serve others. I have deep roots in the HBCU family as my son and father graduated from Morehouse and A&T, respectively, and my mother attended Bennett College. I know my parents would be so proud to know I am continuing in their footsteps.
