A Daughter's Tribute, A Community's Movement
Educator. Advocate. Storyteller. Dr. Debbie Holliday-Phillips turned one memory of her mother into a book that belongs to everyone.
Why This Book Exists
Diversity Matters began as a simple idea: bring people together across race, culture, faith, and background, and let honest conversation do the rest. For almost six years, that idea has grown into a real community, one that gathers to talk through the things that divide us and discover how much we actually share.
This book carries that same spirit forward. What started as Dr. Debbie’s personal tribute to her mother, Altee Frazier, became an open call for others to share their own stories. Mothers of every background, faith, and generation are represented in these pages.
At its core, this is a book about legacy and making sure the sacrifices, wisdom, and love of the women who raised us are never lost to time.
The Woman Behind the Book
Born in Shaw, Mississippi, and raised in Chicago, Dr. Debbie Holliday-Phillips now calls the Chicago suburbs home, where she lives with her husband, Ricky. She’s a proud mother and grandmother, and a retired Chicago Public Schools educator who spent her career as a teacher and instructional administrator.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from DePaul University, masters degree in school administration, take out MA in Education, and add Certified Elementary Teacher (Northeastern, IL University) and a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Loyola University. She currently teaches as an adjunct professor at several Chicagoland universities.
She didn’t set out to write a book. She set out to honor her mother. But once she asked others to share their stories too, she realized this was never going to be just her story to tell.
What She Stands For
Inclusion
Every culture, background, and personal journey is welcome here. Everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, and valued.
Empowerment
Real growth starts with the courage to share your story, out loud and without apology.
Connection
Authentic stories build the kind of relationships that cross generations, cultures, and communities.
Legacy
Preserving memory is an act of love. We help families keep their traditions and wisdom alive for the ones still to come.