Darlene Johnson-Deberry earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Economics from SUNY Old Westbury. As a Woodrow Wilson Fellow, Darlene obtained a Master of Science Degree in Urban Policy Analysis and Management from the New School of Social Research. Her career includes working with a number of Community Development Financial Institutions such as Self-Help and the NC Rural Economic Development Center as a program assistant and micro-enterprise portfolio manager. With a penchant for small businesses, Darlene opened an Edible Arrangements franchise with her husband David in 2006. The business operated for twelve years with two locations, before being sold in 2018. Darlene has served as an Adjunct Professor at Durham Technical Community College in the Business Administration program for the past six years.
The desire to pursue her doctoral degree is to "engineer" younger minds and equip them for the task of entrepreneurship. Darlene has a particular interest in developing women business leaders of tomorrow.
Darlene’s personal hobbies and interests include Christian and Financial Literacy education, running and singing. She is married with two adult children, David Jr. and Danielle.
Darlene’s research interest includes exploring industry shifts and the resiliency of women-led organizations in the wake of the digital age and the ever-changing landscape of cultural competency in today’s workplace.