Deborah Ray-Sims
- Producer
- Director
- Writer
Deborah started her career in the entertainment industry as a television producer and writer for PBS, WTVS in Detroit, Michigan. She produced local Emmy nominated and award winning "Detroit Black Journal," one of the premier shows that chronicles the vast and rich cultural heritage of African Americans in Detroit and worldwide. She produced and wrote numerous documentaries, and feature specials on music and the arts such as "Stevie: A Motown Legacy" about the music and career of Stevie Wonder, and "Mudra Afrique" about a Senegalese dance troupe shot on location in Dakar, Senegal, that garnered her a National Black Programming Consortium Award.
As a result of working on Detroit Black Journal, she was able to travel to Senegal West Africa. Her travels to Senegal was life changing, and she began to more readily explore stories on the continent. Several years after this initial trip to Africa, she was offered an opportunity to live and work in Lagos, Nigeria. Her upcoming feature film screenplay "A Delicate Balance," in development, is inspired by her time living and working on the continent. This film shows a modern day depiction of Africa rarely seen, and challenges the stereotypes of African society, often portrayed as war torn, victims of famine and wild animals roaming the land.
As an independent filmmaker and screenwriter Deborah produced, wrote and directed the award winning short film "CHOICES" streaming worldwide on GENRE TV, PLEX and ZUZU.
Deborah tells stories that not only entertain but educate. She wants to continue to produce thought provoking inspirational films centered on stories about the African diaspora.
She is a graduate of Michigan State University where she studied TV/Radio/Film and attended graduate studies at New York University, Tisch School of the Arts. She resides in northern California.
As a result of working on Detroit Black Journal, she was able to travel to Senegal West Africa. Her travels to Senegal was life changing, and she began to more readily explore stories on the continent. Several years after this initial trip to Africa, she was offered an opportunity to live and work in Lagos, Nigeria. Her upcoming feature film screenplay "A Delicate Balance," in development, is inspired by her time living and working on the continent. This film shows a modern day depiction of Africa rarely seen, and challenges the stereotypes of African society, often portrayed as war torn, victims of famine and wild animals roaming the land.
As an independent filmmaker and screenwriter Deborah produced, wrote and directed the award winning short film "CHOICES" streaming worldwide on GENRE TV, PLEX and ZUZU.
Deborah tells stories that not only entertain but educate. She wants to continue to produce thought provoking inspirational films centered on stories about the African diaspora.
She is a graduate of Michigan State University where she studied TV/Radio/Film and attended graduate studies at New York University, Tisch School of the Arts. She resides in northern California.
Photos
