Bertice Berry
Dr. Bertice Berry
Sociologist, Author, Lecturer,
Educator
No one defies stereotypes, generalizations or clichés more than Dr. Bertice Berry. Growing up poor in Wilmington, Delaware, the sixth of seven children, Bertice was told by a high school teacher that she was "not college material". Fortunately, there was another teacher who believed that she was destined for more. Berry applied to several schools without any idea how she would pay the tuition if she were accepted. The day her application arrived at Jacksonville University in Florida, a wealthy benefactor called the Admissions Department looking for a potential student "who could swim if they had the right backing," and might sink without it.
Bertice not only graduated magna cum laude from Jacksonville where she was awarded the President's Cup for leadership, she subsequently earned a Ph.D. in Sociology from Kent State University at the age of 26. Dr. Berry taught sociology and statistics at Kent, and demonstrated that she knew a few things about humor, as well. She became one of the most popular teachers at the university; so popular, in fact, larger lecture halls had to be found to accommodate the ever-increasing number of students. "A colleague said to me, 'You're funny', and I said, 'No I'm not, I'm a scholar," recounts Dr. Berry. It was then that she realized by using humor in her lectures to address such difficult subjects as racisms and sexism she was making a more profound impact.
Shortly thereafter, Berry left Kent to become an award-winning entertainer, lecturer and comedienne. From 1991 through 1994 she won the coveted national Comedian of the Year Award, and was also named Campus Lecturer of the Year and Campus Entertainer of the Year. She had created a niche as both a gifted speaker with a comic edge and a comic with a serious message. Her busy schedule included over 200 appearances a year.
Berry was the host and co-executive producer of her own nationally syndicated talk show, "The Bertice Berry Show," and hosted "USA Live," a four-hour live interview and entertainment show on the USA Cable Network. She's been featured on numerous other television programs, including appearances on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," ABC's "20/20" and more recently on NPR's "Tell Me More" with Michel Martin.
Dr. Bertice Berry is also the best-selling author of an inspirational memoir, I'm On My Way, But Your Foot Is On My Head, and the hilarious bestsellers Sckraight From the Ghetto, You Might Be Ghetto If and the sequel You STILL Ghetto. Her first work of fiction, Redemption Song, published by Double Day in 2000, is also a Best-seller and has been praised by critics for its' ability to entertain, inspire and educate. Berry followed Redemption Song, with another bestseller, The Haunting of Hip Hop and took her readers on a journey to the other side. In August 2002, she released her most passionate work ever with Jim & Louella Homemade Heart-fix Remedy, a tantalizing yet spiritual tale that has won several awards. Berry's wit and wisdom shine through in her novel about looking for love in all the wrong places---and with all the wrong people, "When Love Calls, You Better Answer"; released the summer of 2005. Her book, "The Ties That Bind", bridges the past with the future and is more personal---tracing the history of her family--- and was released January 2009. Her latest book, "A Year to Wellness and Other Weight Loss Secrets" is a personal journey of healing and wellness that resulted in a weight loss of 150 lbs. "Those who care a lot, carry a lot," says Berry. A Year to Wellness and Other Wellness Secrets was released in May 2011.
Entire Book List:
- I'm On My Way, But Your Foot Is On My Head
- Straight From the Ghetto: You Might Be Ghetto If ...
- You STILL Ghetto (sequel to above)
- Redemption Song
- The Haunting of Hip Hop
- Jim & Louella's Homemade Heart-Fix Remedy
- When Love Calls, You Better Answer
- The Ties That Bind: A Memoir of Race, Memory and Redemption
- A Year to Wellness And Other Weight Loss Secrets
Berry is also a member of the Board of Directors for Capella University, an online University of 26,000 exceptional learners.
Dr. Berry believes that community involvement is not limited to just "writing a check" and has taken a very active role in supporting organizations that benefit those in need. She has graciously donated all of the royalties from the sales of her books to organizations that help families in transition, raise funds for scholarships and provide resource information to low-income families.
Despite all of her honors and achievements, Dr. Berry is most proud of becoming the "instant mother" to her five children. She lives in Savannah, GA where she is active in the community. "When you walk with purpose," Berry says, "you collide with destiny!"
Dr. Bertice Berry
Sociologist, Author, Lecturer,
Educator
No one defies stereotypes, generalizations or clichés more than Dr. Bertice Berry. Growing up poor in Wilmington, Delaware, the sixth of seven children, Bertice was told by a high school teacher that she was "not college material". Fortunately, there was another teacher who believed that she was destined for more. Berry applied to several schools without any idea how she would pay the tuition if she were accepted. The day her application arrived at Jacksonville University in Florida, a wealthy benefactor called the Admissions Department looking for a potential student "who could swim if they had the right backing," and might sink without it.
Bertice not only graduated magna cum laude from Jacksonville where she was awarded the President's Cup for leadership, she subsequently earned a Ph.D. in Sociology from Kent State University at the age of 26. Dr. Berry taught sociology and statistics at Kent, and demonstrated that she knew a few things about humor, as well. She became one of the most popular teachers at the university; so popular, in fact, larger lecture halls had to be found to accommodate the ever-increasing number of students. "A colleague said to me, 'You're funny', and I said, 'No I'm not, I'm a scholar," recounts Dr. Berry. It was then that she realized by using humor in her lectures to address such difficult subjects as racisms and sexism she was making a more profound impact.
Shortly thereafter, Berry left Kent to become an award-winning entertainer, lecturer and comedienne. From 1991 through 1994 she won the coveted national Comedian of the Year Award, and was also named Campus Lecturer of the Year and Campus Entertainer of the Year. She had created a niche as both a gifted speaker with a comic edge and a comic with a serious message. Her busy schedule included over 200 appearances a year.
Berry was the host and co-executive producer of her own nationally syndicated talk show, "The Bertice Berry Show," and hosted "USA Live," a four-hour live interview and entertainment show on the USA Cable Network. She's been featured on numerous other television programs, including appearances on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," ABC's "20/20" and more recently on NPR's "Tell Me More" with Michel Martin.
Dr. Bertice Berry is also the best-selling author of an inspirational memoir, I'm On My Way, But Your Foot Is On My Head, and the hilarious bestsellers Sckraight From the Ghetto, You Might Be Ghetto If and the sequel You STILL Ghetto. Her first work of fiction, Redemption Song, published by Double Day in 2000, is also a Best-seller and has been praised by critics for its' ability to entertain, inspire and educate. Berry followed Redemption Song, with another bestseller, The Haunting of Hip Hop and took her readers on a journey to the other side. In August 2002, she released her most passionate work ever with Jim & Louella Homemade Heart-fix Remedy, a tantalizing yet spiritual tale that has won several awards. Berry's wit and wisdom shine through in her novel about looking for love in all the wrong places---and with all the wrong people, "When Love Calls, You Better Answer"; released the summer of 2005. Her book, "The Ties That Bind", bridges the past with the future and is more personal---tracing the history of her family--- and was released January 2009. Her latest book, "A Year to Wellness and Other Weight Loss Secrets" is a personal journey of healing and wellness that resulted in a weight loss of 150 lbs. "Those who care a lot, carry a lot," says Berry. A Year to Wellness and Other Wellness Secrets was released in May 2011.
Entire Book List:
- I'm On My Way, But Your Foot Is On My Head
- Straight From the Ghetto: You Might Be Ghetto If ...
- You STILL Ghetto (sequel to above)
- Redemption Song
- The Haunting of Hip Hop
- Jim & Louella's Homemade Heart-Fix Remedy
- When Love Calls, You Better Answer
- The Ties That Bind: A Memoir of Race, Memory and Redemption
- A Year to Wellness And Other Weight Loss Secrets
Berry is also a member of the Board of Directors for Capella University, an online University of 26,000 exceptional learners.
Dr. Berry believes that community involvement is not limited to just "writing a check" and has taken a very active role in supporting organizations that benefit those in need. She has graciously donated all of the royalties from the sales of her books to organizations that help families in transition, raise funds for scholarships and provide resource information to low-income families.
Despite all of her honors and achievements, Dr. Berry is most proud of becoming the "instant mother" to her five children. She lives in Savannah, GA where she is active in the community. "When you walk with purpose," Berry says, "you collide with destiny!"
Purpose Begins with You
Sociologist, best-selling author and lecturer, Bertice Berry, PhD. believes that her own life work was put in place because of an educator who believed in her, and an admission's professional who thought outside of the box.
"When you walk with purpose, you collide with destiny," Berry says.
In this presentation, Berry will illustrate the importance of admissions professionals for helping college students and potential graduates realize their life purpose.
By identifying...
Reengagement
Reengagement
An engaged person has been defined as one who is fully absorbed by and enthusiastic about their work and so takes positive action to further the organization's reputation and interests. (Wikipedia 2014)
Sociologist and best-selling author, Bertice Berry, PhD, believes that in order for a person to be fully engaged at work, they must also be engaged in their life outside of work. Most people have been engaged at some point of their life; even if...
Embracing Diversity to Move Towards Inclusion
Diversity Thinking is crucial for success in your business, your community and even your family. In this presentation, sociologist, bestselling author and award winning lecturer Dr. Bertice Berry illustrates the power of diversity for your life in general. Using her unique blend of humor, research and storytelling, Berry points out that the more diverse the environment (mind, workplace and community) the greater the possibility for more stable, creative and productive...
Finding Your Purpose
In this presentation, sociologist, and author Bertice Berry, Ph.D., discusses the foundation for living a purposeful life at home, at work and in the community. She combines her expertise in the areas of diversity and organization with humor to discuss the issues of doing more with less, balancing your life and staying focused on achievement even when the odds are against you.
Because "Finding Your Purpose" is finding your place to serve, Dr. Berry emphasizes the need for...
The Space Between Life and Laughter
Have you ever noticed that some people laugh easier than others? I can't help but notice these things I'm a sociologist turned comedian turned talk show host turned mother of five adopted children.
Most people have a bucket list of things they'd like to do before they die, I have a list of things I'd like to research.
At the top of my list is why some people hate laughter. You've seen these people everywhere. They attend movies that are comedies and then ask the loud...
From The Patient's Perspective
In her presentation, sociologist, educator and best-selling author, Bertice Berry PhD. will share observations from the journey of her mother's two year illness and up close encounter with hospital health care providers. During that time, Berry's background as a sociologist enabled her to document the quality of care from all levels of health care professionals.
Her mother's excellent care during life and her subsequent death in a hospital, has led Berry on a crusade of awareness...
