Meet Debra Roberson | Photographer and Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Debra Roberson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Debra, how does your business help the community?
I felt that I wanted to leave a legacy for young people to access. My niece came to me when she was ten years old and asked me if it was true that Black people used to be slaves. I felt a pull to pass this information on to the community and the world. I don’t want our history to be lost. It’s important to know where you come from, in order to move forward.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
“Those who don’t remember the past are doomed to repeat it” -George Santayana

I like telling stories with my camera as a documentary photographer recording past and current history through my lens. The things I choose to record/ design are of a time not so long ago, in the lives of African Americans whether on a plantation, “getting religion” on a Sunday morning, or just a day in the life of. My parents grew up on a plantation and I am the first generation not to. This history has influenced my outlook on life, and I want to capture these frames of time in the hope of leaving a legacy for future generations. I do what I do because I love uplifting people. I love to give back to the community. I want to encourage others to do the same. I support my community; I push myself to be the best and I don’t believe that giving up is an option. I received my BA from Dartmouth College in 1989 and my MA from Wheaton College in 1991. I received an Associate Degree of Applied Science in Communication Media from Bossier Parish Community College in 2021.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them to visit the Boardwalk, Shreveport Aquarium, The Multicultural Center, Plantations in the Natchitoches area, Sci-port, Artspace, Bossier Arts Council, Bossier East Bank, Meadows Museum, The Rose Center and the Norton Art Gallery.

Places to eat would include: Sabores, ZulZul, Frank’s Napoletana, El Carbo Verde, Drago’s, 2 John’s Steak and Seafood, Niema’s RNL Authentic African and Caribbean food, Us Up North, Earnestly Tooties, Athena’s Greek and Lebanese Grill, Dahn’s Garden, Indigo Indian Bistro, Monjuni’s and Ki Mexico.

We would check out Central Station and the Korner Lounge.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The shoutout goes to my parents. Both my Dad and Mom were born and raised on the plantation. They perservered so that I could rise above them and become the best person that I can be. If it wasn’t for our ancestors fighting for our freedom, I wouldn’t be here today. I owe all my successes to them!

Website: https://www.drmddesigns.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/webdivad/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-roberson-b6347155/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/webdivad

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debra.roberson.18

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=L2ej-Uxx_of6aRX45zyw9A

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSN9LTo_Ln7l8-W6Ku265QA

Other: https://www.debrarobersonartist.com/ https://culturalyst.com/webdivad

Image Credits
Debra Roberson