LAMAMIMET

Chiquita Renee Shepard was born on July 15, 1951, in Tyler, Texas, and grew up in a family of educators and competitive dancers. She excelled academically, earned a scholarship to Howard University, and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration while joining the Delta Sigma Theta sorority.

She began a worldwide dance career in 1971, becoming a charter member of the D.C. Repertory Dance Company and performing at prestigious venues such as the Kennedy Center and the 1977 Academy Awards broadcast. Her stage work included Broadway productions like Bubbling Brown Sugar and Your Arms Too Short to Box With God.

Shepard transitioned to television, becoming the co‑host of Showtime at the Apollo in 1987, a role she held for sixteen years and which made her a familiar face in American entertainment. She also hosted Live in Hollywood and appeared in film and television projects, including a role in The Wiz and the series Thunder in Paradise.

In her later years she continued to act on stage, co‑starring in productions such as Single Black Female. Shepard was honored at the International Women's Day Gospel Brunch in March 2026 before she died of a heart attack on March 16, 2026, at the age of 74.