Welcome to...
Welcome to...
Embedded Files
BIO
BIO
DebSTAR [Pittsburgh,PA]
DebSTAR [Pittsburgh,PA]
DebSTAR...Formally known as Debra Titus is an EDU-PRENEUR. She has a passion for education and entrepreneurship. She has over 14 years of teaching and entrepreneurial experience. When she is not imparting her plethora of expertise to youngsters she unleashes her artistic repertoire as a maker. Debra always wanted to make natural products, and gained the opportunity in 2016 when she teamed up with her partner Shakeena and decided to launch their custom whipped hair and body butter business called D&K Whip Appeal. DebSTAR has a vision and passion for equity and accessibility in the Black Hair Care industry. Her drive to motivate and empower minority women to define their own beauty is the driving force that propels her to be innovative and collaborative with other local artists. DebSTAR hopes to one day have her own shop that invites minority women to "Mix with a Twist" and create products to take home the same day. To bring this dream to life Debra relies on God Almighty, her adoring and supportive Husband Robert, her precious daughter and "WHY," Ariel and her family and friends that pour life into her goals and aspirations.
"Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined." ~Psalm 50:2, KJV
ARTIST STATEMENT
ARTIST STATEMENT
Create, mold, shape, SHARE! As a maker I create natural hair and skin care products that mold and shape the minds and bodies of my clients. I listen to their voice and in turn SHARE with them the tools to be empowered to do just the same...creating a spark, evoking change and longevity in the hair/body care industry.
Create, mold, shape, SHARE! As a maker I create natural hair and skin care products that mold and shape the minds and bodies of my clients. I listen to their voice and in turn SHARE with them the tools to be empowered to do just the same...creating a spark, evoking change and longevity in the hair/body care industry.
ARTIST'S BACKGROUND
ARTIST'S BACKGROUND
The Educator
The Educator
Debra has her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Master of Arts in Teaching from Chatham University. Debra has 14 years of teaching experience. She taught in early childcare for four years and in grades K-8 for ten. She is currently entering her 15th year of teaching at Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship. This clip highlights Debra's experience as a Yale National Fellow and participant in the Yale National Initiative, where she published 2 curriculum units.
Units can be found here: https://teachers.yale.edu/default.php
Debra organized the 2019 Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship 2nd Annual Soaring Shark Tank, Featuring Mr. Cory & The Cookie Mom of Mr. Cory's Cookies, who was featured on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Profit.
The Entrepreneur
The Entrepreneur
Debra is the Founding Director of S.H.I.N.E. Society of Excellence, a non-profit organization specializing in mentoring and tutoring services. Debra founded SHINE in the year 2006 when she and her college peers decided to give back in a sustainable way by mentoring young ladies and sharing experiences regarding college life and preparation. SHINE has gone on to receive a number of rewards and recognition including: The Urban Innovation 21 Small Biz Grant Competition Recipient and The Awesome Pittsburgh Pitch Competiton Grant. The picture above features the late Helen S. Faison at the first SHINE Presentation Dinner held in 2008, along with mentees and mentors of SHINE.
For more information about SHINE, visit:
Debra launched the SHINE After School Program at Imagine Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship in 2015, offering mentoring and tutoring services to 35 students.
The Maker
The Maker
Debra is the Co-Founder of D&K Whip Appeal, a custom whipped hair and body butter business. Debra and her partner Shakeena started D&K in an effort to become conscious consumers of beauty care items. Debra suffered from tension alopecia and thought all hope as lost. She conducted research into her hair type, porosity and learned which specific products were of detriment or benefit to her hair growth. After learning about the process to restore growth naturally Debra decided to share her story. Debra was accepted as a participant of 2019 The City as our Makerspace 12-week cohort focusing on women makers of Pittsburgh. Debra was also featured in The Incline for launching the "I SHINE" Beauty Academy which taught young ladies how to create their own hair and skin care regimens with natural products. Debra was accepted into the 2019 Kelly Strayhorn Theater's Futurmakers Accelerator where she will work with local artists to create a project that benefits the community at large.
To place an order through D&K Whip Appeal, visit:
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse