Miss Black Iowa USA Founder

Debra founded and directed the first Miss Black Iowa U.S.A. Pageant in 1987.  She served as Executive Director for the Miss Black U.S.A. Pageant from 1988 – 1993 and has served on the National Board of Advisors.  She has also served as a Judge for a number of pageants throughout the country.  During the 2007 Miss Black U.S.A. Pageant held in the Gambia, West Africa, Debra served as Director of Operations where she coordinated operational activities for delegate participation internationally.     

Debra founded Le Chic Fashion Ensemble, a modeling and self-development troupe that has traveled and performed throughout the Midwest to promote the diversity of style, personal development, talent and beauty among African Americans.  The troupe has assisted non-profit organizations to raise thousands of dollars for various civic causes.

Debra provides consultation services on grant writing, program development, project management, financial education and fund development. She has facilitated a number of trainings, seminars, and workshops, focusing on personal empowerment, self-development, self-esteem, and health related matters.  She has served as guest staff for the University of Iowa School of Social Work and supervised MSW practicum  students.  

She is active in volunteer activities, including serving on a number of Boards. These organizations include; Des Moines Area Community College Urban Campus – Advisory Committee; President of Cheatom Park Neighborhood Association; member, Member of National Female Executives, Citizens for Community Improvement (CCI) – Diversity Committee, Miss Black U.S.A. National Advisory Member, Certified HIV/AIDS Facilitator for American Red Cross, Jack & Jill, Inc., Member of Chrysalis Women Business Partners, and Member of Making Connections Leadership Council.  She formally served as Vice President of Richard Allen Community Economic Development Corporation, Pro Tem of the Steward Board of St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Vice President for National Association of Black Social Workers, and Member of the National Association of Social Workers.  She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and actively works with young women ages 14-18 with the Delta Growing and Empowering Myself Successfully (GEMS) Program – led by members of the Des Moines Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Incorporated.   

Debra attended the University of Iowa in Business Administration and holds a BA degree in Business Administration, Upper Iowa University BA degree in Human Services and a Masters of Social Work from the University of Iowa School of School Work.  In addition, Debra has received a Certificate of Nonprofit Management from Iowa State University, graduate of the Larned A. Waterman Nonprofit Management Institute, holds an Honorary Doctorate of Letters Degree from Aspen Theological Seminary and is a graduate of John Casablanca School of Modeling. 

For more than 20 years, Debra has worked uplifting and empowering individuals, families and communities.  She believes that giving back to her community is her way of fulfilling her purpose to magnify and glory God.  One of her favorite motto’s is: “Next to God we are indebted to women, first for life itself, and then for making it worth living.”