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Dr. Bertice Berry

Bertice B. Berry is an American sociologist, author, lecturer, and educator.

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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY

While Bertice Berry,PhD. specialized in multiple areas of study including research, statistical analysis, stratification, gender, race, theory and age, her life experience as a talk-show host, author, comedian and mother have enriched her academic background tremendously.

As a published sociologist, Dr. Bertice Berry reaches both corporate and private organizations with her humorous approach to subjects that have her audiences laughing and thinking at the same time.

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’s 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.

In 2011, Savannah Technical College President Dr. Kathy Love along with Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Ron Jackson dedicated a new Student Enrichment Facility and presented Dr. Berry with the Bertice Berry Change & Transformation Classrooms.

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 and becoming a grandmother  in 2015. 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's Programs

With more than 25 years of lecturing experience, Dr. Bertice Berry has touched the hearts and minds of people from all walks of life.

Based on the theme of the event that your team provides, a call with your team, and additional research conducted on the topic chosen
Dr. Berry’s presentation will address the specific needs of your organization, your region and your audience.

Dr. Bertice Berry gives lectures and workshops in the areas of:

EDUCATION: For Clients like: ACT, TOWSON UNIVERSITY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, NATIONAL SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION,SMU,Numerous ISDs, AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SOCIOLOGIST,NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY, CAPELLA UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS, MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY,UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX, NOEL-LEVITZ, MGRAW-HILL, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, KENT STATE UNIVERSITY, TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, ASSOCIATION OF BLACK SOCIOLOGIST, ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY HOUSING OFFICERS-INTERNATIONAL, and many more

HEALTH & WELLNESS: For clients like: NATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE, AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CRITICAL CARE NURSES, INTERNATIONAL SPA ASSOCIATION, SISTER’S OF SAINT MARY, ST. JOSEPH’S, RED MOUNTAIN SPA AND RESORT, THE LODGE AT WOODLOCH, AMERICAN COLLEGE OF HEALTH CARE EXECUTIVES, GLAXO-SMITH KLIEN, KAISER-PERMANENTE, AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PHARMACIST, FELLOW OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF HEALTH CARE EXECUTIVES, FLORIDA COUNCIL ON AGING, BC SENIOR LIVING, AND MANY MORE

WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP: For clients like: WOMEN’S FOOD SERVICE FORUM, NETWORK OF EXECUTIVE WOMEN, MGM GRAND WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP FORUM, TEDX WOMEN, AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN ON TOUR, ESSENCE FESTIVAL, SAN FRANCISCO MAYOR’S SUMMIT FOR WOMEN, PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS WOMEN’S CONFERENCE, CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR’S CONFERENCE FOR WOMEN, AND MANY MORE

FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY: For clients like: THE MILLION DOLLAR ROUND TABLE, STATE FARM, FARMER’S INSURANCE, WOODMEN OF THE WORLD, AMERICAN COLLEGE OF FINACIAL EXECUTIVES, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PERSONAL FINANCIAL ADVISORS, AMERICAN PAYROLL ASSOCIATION, AXA EQUITABLE, GAMMA INTERNATIONAL, MILLION DOLLAR ROUND TABLE ASIA, AND MANY MORE

BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY: For clients like: NORTHROP GRUMMAN, PEPSI- FRITO LAY, SOCIETY FOR HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, KIMBERLY CLARK, DARDEN GROUP, EXPRESS SERVICES, MICROSOFT, INTEL, ARAMARK, ECOLAB, WALMART, KOPPER INCORPORATED, DUPONT, NASA, COCA COLA, UNITED WAY, USABILITY PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION, BROOKSHIRE’S GROCERY COMPANY, HUMAN RESOURCES PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO, MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL, AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF FUNERAL DIRECTORS, BUSINESS FIRST, HERSHEY, PURINA, AND MANY MORE

 Lecture topics include but are not limited to the following:

Living and Giving Your Best: Doing Better With Less

Becoming The Highest Version of Yourself

Finding Your Purpose: At Home,  Work and In the Community

The Art of Transformation

Peace in The Midst of the Storm

Living and Working in Purpose

Redefining Diversity

How to Give a Powerful Presentation

ReNew, ReEnergize, ReEngage!

Changing The Patient’s Perspective

The Space Between life and Laughter (TEDx)

Healing the Village

Women in the Workplace

The World According to Me: How to Beat the Odds and Succeed

Dr. Bertice Berry's Books