Deborah Watts is an author, speaker, and entrepreneur whose work is grounded in providing a “voice to the voiceless.” She is the co-founder of the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation, created to honor the memory of her cousin, Emmett Till, a 14-year-old boy who was brutally lynched in Mississippi in 1955, and his mother, who devoted her life to civic engagement to ensure others would not have to face the same tragedy. Through the foundation, she ensures that no one will forget the past, while encouraging future generations to value justice, accountability, and community responsibility.
Her efforts have reached a national audience through her writing, public speaking, and media appearances, including on CNN, MSNBC, SiriusXM, and BET. She also witnessed the signing of the Emmett Till Antilynching Act into law, more than a century after it was first proposed. For Watts, this work is not about recognition but about helping people understand what has been going on in the past and present and what may be to come if no one steps up and uses their voice. By sharing her family’s story, she reminds others of the importance of standing firm in the belief that every citizen has a role in protecting freedom and strengthening America’s future.
By: Tre Robbins
