Her Name is Debra Black

Working up the courage to sing on stage in front of hundreds is one thing, fueling the lioness within to achieve an effervescent roar then staring adversity straight into its eyes is something only God can perfect. Debra Black, in her mid 20s has defeated the odds by recently launching her own album. Black, full of poise and spunk didn’t wait for a label to knock on her door; instead, she built the door. The door… the same one that is keeping her single “Be Free” from the album, “God in Every Season” in the Top 10 of many radio stations for the past few weeks. Today Black speaks to PINK about hope and the courage to do what she loves.

Q: What do you hope for “Be Free” the single to instill in others when they hear it for the first time? You said the word…hope. I want people to hear this catchy tune and hope they tune into the actual lyrics. “Be Free” encourages hope. We cannot live without it. Who is your hope found in? Is it something that is unstable or in something that could be here today or gone tomorrow? Or is it in someone who is eternal? This song encourages you to be free from whatever has you stuck: doubt, fear or insecurity…be free from it and move forward hoping in a future.

Q: What made you have the courage to do what you love? Well I am that person who cannot live with regret. I would rather do something and potentially fail at it then not do something and get to a place where I look back at my life and could say “what if?” What if I had just done the thing I love and was called to? Or what if I chose to live my life out in the things that I am passionate about? Courage comes from within. Let me be honest, I am not saying I did not fight nor sit stuck within my fear and doubt for a while. I did. I chose to allow all of the possible “what if” I fail questions play the leading role in my life. It took trusting and hoping for me to take a step of faith. I came to a place where I was challenging everyone else to do the thing that makes them come alive, yet I was still. We all have gifts and talents that are different for a reason and I started asking myself why am I not doing those things to the full potential that I could.

Q: How do you smile when facing adversity? I remember it’s a choice to smile. I can choose to wallow in my fear and doubt or choose to see that I am being refined and strengthened in my adversity. There is a plan for everyone and everything. Hard or happy times both grow us and choosing to smile can make all the difference in the world.

Q: What makes you different from other artists? I am an Indie Christian artist. Which I know there are plenty out there, but doing a full length album on my own as far as cost and figuring out direction has definitely been a big mountain to climb. It is fun putting together my own team and working with amazing people, but there have been a lot of lonely, overwhelming times as well. Through it all, I am thankful for all I am blessed with and all God has done and is doing.

Q: Would you suggest your journey to other newcomers in the music scene? I think everyone has a different story, journey and plan. Obviously we can learn from one another, and sit down and talk with people who have gone before us to gain an understanding. If it were not for others who have already done what I have done, I would not have been able to do a lot of what I did. I am thankful for direction and advice from those in the industry and those who have encouraged me to move forward. Tell your story, take steps toward living out your passions, and actively wait for good things to come. God has a plan for you.

Photo by Savaza Photography