"When I was young girl I used to write everything because I thought it was the only way that I could reach the ear of God. It has since been revealed to me that through my stories, poems and prose I minister to souls that are in desperate need of healing and may be loosing all hope. Over the past few years I have encountered women and men, particularly in my age group, that have given up on their dreams and on life in general. It is my intention to get them up and moving and loving and breathing again that dream that they imagine is faded and lost. This is my purpose. This is my destiny."
Debi has traveled throughout the United States for more than twenty years performing her stories, poems and other musings in front of youth and adult audiences at universities, conferences, festivals, libraries, schools and churches. An accomplished actress for many years, Debi, through the urging of her peers at the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts, she discovered her passion is to study and master the art of story.
She is the former Managing Artistic Director of the award winning Black Theatre Troupe, Inc. in Phoenix, Arizona and is the founder and artistic director of Spoken Word Ministries whose focus is to provide enrichment to the community through performances that heal, motivate and inspire. She has been awarded the title of Master Storyteller by the National Association of Black Storytellers (2006) and has been a member of the award winning Black Storytellers of San Diego for ten years. Her author credits include a book of poems and essays, Speaking Boldly, As I Ought To Speak, Vol. 1 and two published plays, Granny’s Porch and Keys to The Kingdom. Her book, Arizona Clay, a personal testimony, is currently in print and was released, June 30, 2009.
The age old art of storytelling is the essence of the human experience.Griots of long ago would pass on beliefs and customs, spread the latest news, teach valuable lessons, retell historical facts, explain natural wonders and give face to the mysteries of God.To this day, the art of story links past with present and fosters cultural understanding and tolerance among the young and old in this melting pot we call planet earth.
This art form is alive and well in our movies, on our televisions, in our music, on our stages and in our pulpits.Stories ain't just for children.
