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 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, Dr. 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.
Dr. 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," and "BET Live" with Tavis
Smiley.
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 it's 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 is sure to open
more than your eyes.
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 of terminally
ill children, raise funds for orphanages 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 sister's four young children.
She lives in Savannah, GA where she is active in the community working
with At-Risk Youth and teaching at area prisons and schools.
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