Today we’d like to introduce you to Debra Roberson. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Debra Roberson was born and raised in Houston, Texas, but spent summers and holidays in Natchitoches, Louisiana, where her parents are from and where her grandparents lived. Debra’s parents moved to Natchitoches to start a church, and Debra graduated from Natchitoches Central High School her senior year in 1985. Debra received a BA from Dartmouth College in 1989 and an MA from Wheaton College in 1991. Debra Roberson was an IT Analyst for about 25 years, and then she decided she wanted to pursue her first love- photography and graphic design. She subsequently attended Bossier Parish Community College and received an Associate Degree of Applied Science in Communication Media from Bossier Parish Community College in 2021. Debra entered her photography in Critical Mass 8, 9, and 10. She received honorable mention the first two years and then won Critical Mass X critic’s choice in Visual Arts in February 2022. Debra Roberson completed a solo exhibition at Artspace called “Cane River Chronicles: Unveiled” in 2022. Debra Roberson was selected for the Irene Rosenzweig exhibition class of 2023. Her work appeared at the Arts and Sciences Center in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, until October 2023. Her next exhibition opening is October 30 at SAS Gallery on the Boardwalk.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My life has been full of challenges. I dropped out of high school in 1984. I always made all A. I became bored because I wasn’t challenged. I ended up going back to school, and I was accepted into Dartmouth College. I studied in France for a semester, and I went to Eastern Europe before the Berlin Wall fell. I wanted to be a missionary to Russia, but no agencies accepted me- they felt I would do best in Africa since I am African American. I became an IT Analyst and worked in that fried for 30 years. I then pursued my first love Photography and writing. And after entering contests for 3 years, I became an award-winning photographer.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I consider myself as a historical photographer. I capture snapshots in the lives of African Americans and our trials we’ve faced as slaves until now. We are still being vilified, and it’s important for people to know our stories. I take photographs that tell a story. For example, I have a piece that is a photograph of a tree on a plantation, and I have a rope placed around the farm with a noose hanging on the end.
What makes you happy?
Doing what I do. I love sharing my stories through the 5 books I have written and the photographs I take.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.debrarobersonartist.com
- Instagram: @webdivad
- Facebook: Debra.Roberson.18
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/Debra-Roberson
- Twitter: webdivad
- Youtube: @debraroberson9402
- Other: www.drmddesigns.com
Image Credits
Debra Roberson.
