EDUCATION

Ph. D.	English Department, American Studies Program, Michigan State University, 1994. Dissertation: "The Gospel Announcer and the Black Gospel Music Tradition."
M.A.T.	Teaching English at the Community College Level. English Department, Wayne State University. Cognate in African American Literature.
B.A.	TV/Radio, Michigan State University

ACADEMIC WORK EXPERIENCE 

University of Michigan-Dearborn. Assistant Professor of English and Humanities. 9/95 - present. Courses taught:

English 472: Reading in Multicultural Contexts
English 469: Twentieth Century African American Literature
English 389: The Odyssey of Black Men in America (created and developed)
English 327: Advanced Exposition
English 239: Introduction to Literature: African American (created and developed)
English 233: Introduction to Literature: Drama
English 232: Introduction to Literature: Fiction
Composition 106: Composition II (The Research Paper)

Wayne State University. Instructor, part-time. 1/76 - 4/89; winter, 1993; fall, 1994.
Courses taught: composition, remedial composition, African American literature

West African Ethnic Heritage Summer Seminar. 6/78-7/78. Participant in the Phelps-Stokes Fund's program that included two weeks at Bowie State College and six weeks in West Africa (Burkina Faso, the Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone).

Wayne County Community College. Instructor, part-time. Summer, 1977. Remedial composition.

Shaw College at Detroit. Instructor, full-time. 6/76-6/79. Courses taught: women's literature, technical writing, fashion history, African American literature, and composition.

TEACHING SPECIALTIES

African American literature, Modern American literature, African American Folklore

PUBLICATIONS

"Gospel Announcers (Disc Jockeys): What They Do and Why It Matters." Arkansas Review: A Journal of Delta Studies 31.2 (August 2000): 87-101.

ACCEPTED FOR PUBLICATION

"Right under Our (upturned) Noses: The Phenomenon Known as the Gospel Musical Stage Play." Accepted February, 2000, by The CEA Critic. Projected publication date: 2001.

"Edna Tatum: A Gospel Announcer and Narrator in Performance." Womanist Research and Theory. Scheduled for publication in 3.2 (Spring/Summer 2000-2001).

"African American Holyground in Another Good Loving Blues." Accepted July, 2000. Scheduled for publication in College Language Association Journal (December 2000).

"Holy Boldness: A Representative, Analytical History of Women Gospel Announcers." Scheduled for publication in Linda F. Williams, editor, African American Women Musicians: Selected Essays in Cultural Criticism. Garland Publishing, Inc. 2001. Contract has been issued and signed.

SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION 

Forthcoming Musical Recordings:

Pollard, Deborah Smith and Mellonee Burnim, compilers. An Anthology of Contemporary Gospel Music 1968 - 1994. Various artists. Compact Disc, Rhino Records. 

Works-in-progress:

"From Divawear to Hip Hop Gear: Reading the Changes in Gospel Attire."

PRE-UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN-DEARBORN PUBLICATIONS
(All written under the name Deborah Smith Barney):

"A Conversation with Rosa Louise Parks, Civil Rights Leader and Quiltmaker." In Marsha MacDowell, ed., African American Quiltmaking in Michigan. E. Lansing: Michigan State University Press in collaboration with the MSU Museum, 1998. Also incorporated in this publication is information taken from oral histories I collected from eighteen quilters.

"When the Church Becomes Your Party." In Ruth Fitzgerald and Yvonne Lockwood, eds., The 1995 Festival of Michigan Folklife Program Book. E. Lansing: Michigan State University, 1995. 40-47.

"The Gospel Announcer and the Black Gospel Music Tradition." In Ruth Fitzgerald and Yvonne Lockwood, eds., The 1993 Festival of Michigan Folklife Program Book. E. Lansing: Michigan State University.

"Sallie Martin" and "Mavis Staples and the Staple Singers." In Darlene Clark Hine, ed., Black Women in America: An Historical Encyclopedia. New York: Carlson, 1993. 750-51, 1104-1105.

ARTICLES IN NON-ACADEMIC (POPULAR) PUBLICATIONS

"Going through Changes." Gospel Today Magazine: April/May, 1996. 31-36.

"The Clark Sisters: Heeding Their Mother's Advice. Score Magazine. Cover Story, May/June, 1994.

"James Cleveland Gets 50th Anniversary Salute." The Detroit Free Press: Sun., Nov. 28, 1990.

Columnist ("Gospel Notes") for The Michigan Chronicle, 1990-1994.

Columnist/Advisor for Totally Gospel Magazine, 1987 - 1988.

Columnist/Advisor for Spirit-Filled Magazine, 1985 - 1987.

Columnist for The Christian News Herald, 1981-1983.

CONFERENCE PAPERS AND PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS

"Changing Clothes: (W)Rapping the Gospel for A New Generation." Invited panelist for "The Dynamics of African American Folk Culture," A Conference of the New York Folklore Society, September 15-17, 2000, at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

"From Divawear to Hop Hop Gear: Reading the Changes in Gospel Attire." Invited workshop participant for "Material Processes: Textiles and Texts in the African Diaspora," March 24-25, 2000, at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

"More than Motown." February, 1999, Olivet College, Saginaw, MI. Lecture presented in conjunction with the opening of the exhibit "Lest We Forget: Legends of Detroit Gospel" that I helped create in conjunction with the Michigan State University Museum.

"The Roles and Responsibilities of Gospel Announcers." October, 1998, Annual Conference of the Society for Ethnomusicology, Bloomington, IN.

"`What I Do Is Who I Be': Transformations of Personal and Cultural Identities in Another Good Loving Blues." November, 1996, Fall Festival of the American Arts and National Conference, Michigan State University, E. Lansing, MI.

"Gospel Music, Commercial Radio, the Holy Spirit and Me." Presentation made as part of the "Folklorists as Broadcasters" forum. October, 1996, American Folklore Society, Pittsburgh, PA.

"`When the Church Becomes Your Party': Who Wears What and Why in the Gospel Community." October, 1995, American Folklore Society, Lafayette, LA.

"Attire, Style and the Gospel Announcer." April, 1994, The Louisiana Folklore Society, Baton Rouge, LA.

"Gospel Music and the Oral Tradition." Scholar-in-Residence Lecture. April, 1994, Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA.

"Gospel Music as a Reflection of African-American History and Culture." February, 1994, School of Music, Michigan State University, E. Lansing, MI.

"The Gospel Announcer and the Black Gospel Music Tradition." October, 1993, American Folklore Society, Eugene, OR.

"The Gospel Announcer in Performance." October, 1992, the American Folklore Society, Jacksonville, FL.

"In Search of the Black Gospel Music Disc Jockey." October, 1991, the Society for Ethnomusicology, Chicago, IL.

"Quilting as Folklore." November, 1991, Museum of African American History, Detroit, MI.

"African Roots of Gospel Music." November, 1989, Michigan State U. Museum, E. Lansing, MI.

SEMINAR/WORKSHOP PRESENTATIONS

"Technical Writing" -- Business Writing Workshops for Wordsmiths, Inc. Presented to the State of Michigan/Secretary of State Office Personnel and to the Michigan State Police, 1995.

"Put It in Writing" -- Business/Technical Writing Workshop at the University of Michigan, "Women of Color Task Force," and for Michigan State University's King/Chavez/Parks Program, 1988, 1991.

"The Basics of Public Speaking" -- Workshop for the Young Artists for Christ Convention and for Hartford Memorial Baptist church, 1988, 1990.

OTHER RELEVANT EMPLOYMENT, CONSULTING AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES

Folklore and Folklife -- Research and Programming

Michigan State University Museum &endash; Research Associate, 1/95-present; previously, Cultural Extension Specialist, 3/92-12/94; Graduate Assistant, 9/89-3/92, and an independent researcher/presenter, 8/87-9/89. From 1987-1995, I conducted research and then served as a presenter/interpreter during the Festival of Michigan Folklife, a part of the annual

Michigan Festival held at MSU. The research topics included African American gospel music, foodways, shaped-note singing, quilting, story telling, drum-making, rural traditions, and hair braiding. I continue to serve as a consultant for the Festival and Museum. During summer, 2000, I recommended field researchers and interpreters for the gospel attire component of National Folk Arts Festival and served as a presenter myself during a South Africa Institute that was held for participants from South Africa and several historically Black Colleges and Universities in the U.S.

Michigan Traditional Arts Program, Michigan State University Museum -- Review Panelist, 1/99, 1/98, 1/97. Along with three other panelists, I evaluated applications and recommended awardees for the Apprenticeship Program and for the Michigan Heritage Awards.

Gospel Performing Arts Center of America (GPAC)--Project Coordinator, 1/97-present. Under the auspices of GPAC, which was created to celebrate the gospel music heritage, and in conjunction with Michigan State University Museum's Folk Arts Division, I created an exhibit and concert entitled "Lest We Forget: Legends of Detroit Gospel." The exhibit consists of ten photo/text panels documenting the history of gospel and honoring four major Detroit contributors. Also included is a brochure that replicates the copy and some of the photos found in the exhibit. One thousand gospel music aficionados attended the initial concert, held September 22, 1997.

The Museums at 18th and Vine, Kansas City, MO--Consultant, 4/97. Identified appropriate gospel artists to perform during this new museum's initial concert series which included an exploration of the Midwest connections in gospel music

Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village -- Consultant, Black Sacred Music, 1996. Identified blues, jazz and gospel performers for Black History Month and Emancipation Celebrations

National Endowment for the Arts--Site Visitor and Evaluator for the Folk and Traditional Arts Program, 9/94 and 4/95. In 1994, the assignment was a Black Arts Fair in Covert, MI; in 1995, it was the "Good Friday Gospel" concert given as part of Radio Smithsonian's "Folk Masters" Series held at the Barns of Wolf Trap in Northern Virginia.

McDonald's GospelFest -- Executive Producer, 1983 - present. Executive producer, spokes- person and co-host for this event which has featured national and local gospel artists and has been witnessed by thousands of gospel music fans each year in downtown Detroit at either Chene Park or Hart Plaza. Responsibilities include deciding on the theme for the year, selecting appropriate artists and honorees, writing copy for various needs.

Motor City Praisefest -- Creator, co-producer and talent coordinator, 1991, 1993 - present. This is a three-day celebration of gospel music featuring local and national gospel artists.

Museum of African American History -- Consultant. In 1991, I coordinated a lecture/musical performance program entitled "The Ties that Bind: The Negro Spiritual -- Then and Now" in conjunction with the exhibition "Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?" That same year, I researched and wrote the script for the docents to be used in conjunction with the exhibition "African American Quilting Traditions."

Concert Coordinator/Consultant. 1985-1992. The sites at which I presented concerts included Chene Park, Belle Isle, Russell Woods Park, and Michigan State University. I have also served as a consultant for sacred music concerts presented by the Detroit Symphony (for which I also wrote program notes) and Southfield Symphony Orchestras.

Radio

WJLB-FM 98, Detroit. Producer/Host of "Strong Inspirations," a gospel music program on Detroit's top-rated urban contemporary music station. The show incorporates current and classic gospel music recordings, gospel history and occasional interviews with the country's top gospel music artists. Sundays, 6 &endash; 10 a.m.

WCHB-AM 1440, Detroit. Producer/Host, "On the Gospel Side," 1/87-9/89. A Gospel music program on Detroit's top-rated urban contemporary music station. Saturdays.

WQBH-AM 1400, Detroit. Producer/ Host, "On the Gospel Side," 12/84-11/86. Saturdays.

WDTR-FM 90.9, Detroit. Producer/Host, "Weight Watchers Presents," 9/84-2/85. Tuesdays. A health and fitness radio magazine-formatted program I created and for which I produced all segments and interviewed guests, including franchise owner Florine Mark.

WJLB-FM 98, Detroit. Producer/Host, "On the Gospel Side," 6/82-3/83. Weekdays.

Television

WDIV-TV--Consultant, 11/97. Identified appropriate gospel artists to perform during their on-air fund-raiser for the Salvation Army during the holiday season, 1997.

WWJ-TV--Consultant-- 10/97. Identified appropriate gospel artists to perform during their annual "Detroit Celebrates the Holidays" TV program which aired four times in 1997.

Producer and Creator of "GodSounds," 5/82-5/91, a gospel music television magazine which aired on WDIV-TV, the NBC affiliate in Detroit, with national and local performers, in-studio and location videotaped interviews, etc.

Recipient of a Michigan Emmy Award in 1987 for "Rejoice" A GodSounds Christmas Special" which aired on WDIV-TV. Aired December 1986 and 1988.

Public Relations Consultant for WXYZ-TV, the ABC affiliate in Detroit. Assessed the station's publicity and public relations needs and devised a strategic plan for these areas.

Publicity Coordinator for WDIV-TV, Detroit. Responsibilities included acting as station spokesperson, writing all press releases, coordinating speaking engagements and publicity efforts as well as internal public relations. 7/79 - 2/82.

FELLOWSHIPS

King/Chavez/Parks Fellowship Recipient, 1990-94. Michigan State University.
Minority Competitive Doctoral Fellowship Recipient, 1989-90. Michigan State University.
Graduate Professional Recipient 1975. Wayne State University.
Education Professions Development Act Fellowship Recipient 1974-75. Wayne State University.

CAMPUS SERVICE: 1998-2000

Commencement Assistant Marshal, Winter, 2000.

Presenter, for the Humanities Department's Humanitas Series: "Going through Changes: Text and Textiles in the Gospel Community." February 15, 2000.

Recipient, Diversity Grant, 1998-2000. I created two lecture series; the one in 1998-99 focussed on African American Literature and Culture, and the one in 1999-2000 focussed on Multicultural Literature. A dozen speakers were booked over the two-year period, including Professor Keith Byerman of Indiana State U., Playwright Bill Harris, Blues historian Robert Jones, Poets Naomi Long Madgett and Semaj, filmmaker Monice Mitchell, and several multicultural literature specialists.

Co-producer (with Women's Studies Director Lora Lempert) of Campus-wide African American Read-in Chain, February 3, 1999

Commencement Marshal, Winter, 1998

Commencement Marshal, Fall, 1998

Library Liaison, English Discipline, 1998-present

Humanities Advisory Committee Board Member, 1998 - present

Humanities Student Advisor, Fall 1998

Co-planner (with Women's Studies Director Jacqueline Vansant) of Campus visit by Professor Patricia Turner, folklorist and scholar, for 3/98

Speaker for Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Day 1/18 and 1/26, 1998 (during closing activities and during a special evening presentation). Lectures were also in support of the exhibit "Lest We Forget: Legends of Detroit Gospel" that I created in conjunction with Michigan State University Museum that was on display during Black History Month.

Provost's Roundtable Presenter, 12/97

Open House Volunteer, Fall, 1997

Publicity Assistant, Campus visit by Jacob Lawrence, artist, Winter, 1997

Young Educators Society (YES) Conference Keynote Speaker, 4/96

Publicity Assistant, Campus visit by Margaret Walker Alexander, author, 11/96

Guest Lecturer, Spanish 385: "Spanish Across the Curriculum" 1996. ("Gospel in the New World")

Guest Lecturer for History/Sociology 304: "The Detroit Studies," January, 1996. ("Gospel Music in Detroit")

Panelist for Anthropology Club's discussion of "Black Orpheus"

African/African American Studies Program Development Committee, 9/95-5/96

Coordinator, Campus visit by Cornelius Eady, poet, April, 1996.

Coordinator, Campus visit by Herb Boyd, February, 2, 1996, co-editor of Brotherman: The Odyssey of Black Men in America, the 1995 American Book Award Winner

Volunteer, UM-D Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, 1996. I was assigned to Salinas Elementary School in Dearborn where I spoke to five classes about freedom songs and the civil rights movement.

AWARDS AND HONORS

Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society Inductee, Michigan State U., 1991
Michigan Emmy Award Recipient, 1987
Mortar Board National Honor Society Inductee, Michigan State U., 1973
Media Woman of the Year, Award Recipient, Renaissance Chapter, National Association of Media Women, 1981
Outstanding Graduating TV/Radio Student Award Recipient. Michigan State U., 1973

ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

American Studies Association
College English Association
College Language Association
Gospel Announcers Guild/Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc.
Modern Language Association