Deborah Santana

Creative Nonfiction Writer

Los Angeles, CA
California US

Author's Bio

Deborah Santana is an author, business manager, and activist for peace and social justice. Her non-profit, Do A Little, serves women and girls in the areas of health, education, and happiness. With a passion to provide educational opportunities for girls and women, Ms. Santana collaborates with organizations that work to prevent and heal relationship and sexual violence, improve the lives of America's abused and neglected children, and a worldwide community of artists and allies who work for empowerment, opportunity, and visibility for women artists.  

In 2005, she published her memoir: Space Between the Stars that told of her experiences growing up as a bi-racial child, and her coming of age.

Ms. Santana has produced five short documentary films, four with Emmy-award winning director Barbara Rick: Road to Ingwavuma, Girls of Daraja, School of My Dreams, and Powerful Beyond Measure. These films highlight the work of non-profit partners in South Africa, and the Daraja Academy, a free secondary boarding school for girls in Kenya.

Publications & Prizes

Book:
Space Between the Stars: My Journey to an Open Heart (Ballantine Books, 2005)

Personal Favorites

Favorite authors: 
Mary Pipher V.V, Ganeshananthan Robin Wall Kimmerer Maya Angelou Isabel Allende Isabel Wilkerson Tayari Jones Joy Harjo Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
What I'm reading now: 
A Life in Light by Mary Pipher, More Than Enough by Elaine Welteroth

More Information

Gives readings: 
Yes
Travels for readings: 
Yes
Identifies as: 
Multiethnic
Prefers to work with: 
Adults
Born in: 
San Francisco, CA
California
Raised in: 
San Francisco, CA
California
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Last update: Feb 04, 2025