Reverend Doctor Bertice Berry has a larger-than-life personality. She is a sociologist, author, educator, lecturer, storyteller, talk show host, seamstress, and deacon. She has authored 13 published books to date. She has been a guest to hosts Oprah Winfrey and Jay Leno, among many others. Her messages have been heard live from the pulpit and many in-person engagements throughout the world as well as through TedTalks, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and other online venues.

Dr. Berry has engaged audiences with her stories, weaving her unique experiences into her presentations for more than 30 years in a way that encourages her viewers to self-reflect and become better themselves. Berry is dedicated to enabling healing from the pain of racism to the inequities of sexism. Dr. Berry utilizes the soft skill of inspiration as she invites others to participate in becoming a purposeful gift to others.

“When you walk with purpose, you collide with destiny.”
— Reverend Doctor Bertice Berry

In addition to her in-person appearances, her storytelling has breathed life and connectivity into a growing online community that started during the throes of COVID-19, and continues today.

Dr. Berry was born in Delaware as one of seven children, raised by a single mother. At a young age, she cleaned houses in the mornings and banks in the afternoons after school to help with the family income. It may have appeared on the surface that she was destined for poverty, but she had other ideas. A brilliant student, she was encouraged by a librarian and a visionary teacher to dream bigger. Berry applied to multiple colleges and finally received a scholarship to Jacksonville University from a wealthy benefactor who was looking for a promising student without means. She became the first member of her immediate and extended family to go to college.

Dr. Berry went on to Kent State, where she earned her Ph.D. in Sociology by the time she was 26. She was a gifted speaker and educator at Kent State, learning the secret of comedic delivery while delivering a serious message. Berry became an entertainer, winning the National Comedian of the Year Award from 1991 through 1994, among other awards. She ultimately hosted her own syndicated talk show, “The Bertice Berry Show.”

Her greatest joy in life is her five adopted children and two grandchildren. Her goal is to help both her family and her viewers love one another and be inspired to live with purpose. Dr. Berry lives in Savannah, Georgia, with her family, determined to continue her mission and God’s purpose for her as she positively inspires others through her humor, faith, and love.

REFLECT:
How are you inspiring others through your work at SSU in preparation for your future?

References:

Dr. Bertice Berry (March 18, 2023). Why, Me, Here, Now? Finding Your Reason. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwEzWsp5eyQ

McMichael, K. (April 20, 2022). Meet Dr. Bertice Berry. Local treasure gearing up for role in ‘Story Under the Stars.’ Connect Savannah. Retrieved from https://www.connectsavannah.com/community/meet-dr-bertice-berry-18234026

Bertice Berry Now. (2021). Sociologist, Author, Lecturer, Storyteller, Humorist, Servant Leader. Retrieved from https://berticeberrynow.com/

Reference image of Dr. Berry was retrieved from https://www.siumed.edu/news/author-bertice-berry-speak-womens-power-lunch-april-4 for illustration by Nichols, J. ©2024 Savannah State University.