Biographical Sketch
DeBorah Gilbert White is a diversity and inclusion specialist, social justice and community advocate for people experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness, or formerly homeless. She is founder of HerStory Ensemble LLC, an awareness, education, and advocacy community-based group comprised primarily of women who have experienced homelessness. DeBorah serves as a member of the National Coalition for the Homeless Faces of Homelessness Speakers Bureau, where she shares her story of homelessness across the country, and serves as a lobbyist on Capitol Hill for people living in poverty, experiencing homelessness and at risk of homelessness.
She also serves as associate faculty with the University of Phoenix where she facilitates online courses on cultural diversity, psychology, and sociology. In that capacity she was recognized as the 2019 Online Faculty of the Year for the N.Virgina – D.C. Metro Campus.
DeBorah’s research interests focus on considerations emerging from diversity and inclusion issues connected to individuals and groups she identifies as the “invisible majority” connected to homelessness, African American women’s health and well- being, and other social concerns utilizing a social psychological lens. DeBorah is the person who asked the question “Is there a homeless bill of rights for the State of Delaware?” The question posed in 2012 began the journey toward the exploration and development of such a bill, and HerStory Ensemble’s continuing work for the passage of a homeless bill of rights for the State of Delaware. DeBorah experienced homelessness in Delaware in 2011 after eviction. The work continues today to eliminate discrimination based on housing status, to stop the criminalization of homelessness, to promote more affordable housing and homeless prevention strategies.
Dr. Gilbert White holds a B.A. in communication, M.A. in psychology (Diversity Specialization Management Program), both from Cleveland State University, and a Ph.D. in psychology with a specialization in social psychology from Union Institute and University.
