When people hear the name “Aunt Jemima,” they likely think of the smiling woman on a pancake box— a brand criticized for its racist origins, but few know the real story. Actress Debra Faulk brings her legacy to life in a one-woman show, revealing the truth behind the brand’s myth. This Women’s History Month, her performance at the Kentucky Museum sheds light on Green’s overlooked impact.
Faulk said she has been in the entertainment industry since she was 16 years old. She is a graduate of the University of Kentucky’s Department of Theatre and Dance. After moving to Hollywood at a young age to pursue a career in stand-up comedy, Debra said she returned to Lexington where she works as a substitute teacher and CEO of her non-profit.
“I could do three shows a night in Hollywood but I’m lucky if I get three shows a month in Kentucky, so I had to do the one-woman show,” Faulk said. “I love it. It doesn’t seem like I’m overworking myself.”
Faulk said her one-woman show has existed for seven years. It explores how Pearl Milling Company, formerly R.T. Davis Milling Company, used the image of a Black servant to market its pancake mix. Hired as the original Aunt Jemima, Green traveled to events promoting the product and shaping the brand.
Freshman Joie Willoughby from Little Rock, Arkansas said she went to the performance with her friend who was required to attend for a class.
“Going in we both honestly did not know what to expect but we were absolutely blown away by Debra Faulk’s performance,” Willoughby said. “I would not even think twice before recommending seeing Faulk’s performance to everyone I know.”
Associate professor at the Kentucky Museum, Christy Spurlock from Bowling Green, said she invited Faulk to perform and host the event.
“America will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, and museums and historical institutions across the country are hosting a variety of programs and celebrations leading up to the anniversary,” Spurlock said. “I chose to invite Debra after I saw a video online of her and knew that her Nancy Green performance would be a great addition to our programming.”
What seemed like simple branding was, in reality, the erasure of Green’s true identity— one reshaped to fit a narrative that catered to the white gaze. Faulk said her performance explores this struggle, highlighting the internal conflict Green and many Black Americans have faced for generations. To drive this point home, she said she incorporates Paul Laurence Dunbar’s poem “We Wear the Mask,” incorporating a quote from the poem in her performance.
“In the play, it talks about ‘We Wear the Mask’ with ‘torn and bleeding hearts, we smile and mouth with myriad subtleties, because we wear the mask,’’” Faulk said, “and I take my mask off, and I let people see who I am. I’m not just Nancy Green. I’m Deborah Faulk. I’m a daughter. I’m a neighbor. I’m an aunt. I’m a sistah.”
According to the New York Post, in 2021 Green’s descendants filed a lawsuit against Pearl Milling Company. The lawsuit seeked compensation for her contributions to the brand. Though Green brought Aunt Jemima to life through live performances, the white-owned company continued to profit from the name long after her time.
Debra said that the physical depiction of Aunt Jemima looked nothing like Green; she was a fictional character. The controversy extended beyond the image of Aunt Jemima. It was showing in the name itself, a symbol of oppression masking Green’s true legacy.
“Did you know that it was illegal to call negro women ma’am and misses? That’s why we were aunt and mammy— because we weren’t good enough,” Faulk said. “The same thing for Black men, you couldn’t call them sir or mister. They were boy and pappy.”
According to the New York Times, for over 90 years, they used a fictionalized Black woman as their mascot. Amid growing criticism, the company rebranded in 2021, dropping the Aunt Jemima name and reverting to Pearl Milling Company.
“You know, when I went to her grave, she didn’t even have a tombstone or nothing,” Faulk said. “I’ve had my shows canceled due to DEI but somehow honoring Nancy Green gives me purpose.”
In today’s shifting political climate, students and their families face increasing stress, especially those pursuing careers in the entertainment industry. Staying motivated can be a challenge and Faulk said students should prioritize their mental health while navigating these uncertainties.
“Get you some counseling; it’s free on campus,” Faulk said. “You gotta use tears and make lemonade. Practice doing the opposite of what you would normally do and see what happens.”
More information on Debra Faulk and her role as Nancy Green can be found on her website.