Author Bio
Jeanne Starr Gater was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi, but spent most of her youth in Chicago, Illinois. She is a graduate of Carver High School in Chicago, where she received numerous awards and honors, the highest distinction being: “Most Outstanding Senior Graduate.” The author holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education from De Paul University and a Master’s Degree in Popular Culture/Broadcast Communications from Governor’s State University. Her prolific background includes working as a Teacher and Office Occupations Coordinator at her alma mater, Carver High, in Chicago; and as Teacher/Yearbook Advisor at Cass Technical High School in Detroit, MI. Jeanne also worked as Assistant Editorial Community Affairs Director for WLS-TV in Chicago before her promotion to Detroit to become Director of Editorial/Community Affairs for WXYZ Radio; both ABC owned stations.Ms. Starr Gater won a number of editorial awards before becoming a television reporter at WKZO T.V. in Kalamazoo, MI, and at WDHO Television in Toledo, Ohio where she also hosted, Community Close Up. Her stellar resume includes a modeling and acting career which began while attending De Paul University and working part-time for former Olympian Track Star, Jesse Owens. His public relations firm used her for promotional ads for a number of their clients; and Jeanne after completing her degree was recruited for modeling and acting jobs through the Shirley Hamilton Agency in Chicago, Illinois.Years later, after her husband’s near-fatal auto accident, Jeanne Starr Gater chose to stay close to home to monitor his recovery and to keep her family unit stable and moving forward. She was prompted to write her story by many of her colleagues in broadcasting.As an educator and author, Ms. Starr Gater has come full circle.
Her willingness to share her inspirational true story, Bring Back Summertime, with others is joined with her work to motivate and inspire children and youth across the United States with her Supa Dupa Babee Anti-Drugs, Anti-Violence Curriculum. Her muscular, multicultural Supa Dupa Babee character was first launched through a public service announcement against drugs and violence through Jeanne’s Higher and Higher television program. The flying Supa Dupa Babee later became Castleberry Toy’s flagship character reaching kids through his adventure series booklets, music, games, and videos. Jeanne said, as an educator, she learned through the years that you could teach students to excel and truly believe in themselves once they developed ‘super duper’ mindsets promoting strong character and self esteem. Taking a journey that focused on family and community speaks volumes about this remarkable woman who against all odds was able keep her family together as she fought steadily to Bring Back Summertime. Giving to family and community the greater of her talents is a sincere testament to her faith and belief in the strength of the human spirit which is highlighted throughout her honest discourse shared with readers in Bring Back Summertime. Jeanne Starr Gater’s three children fared remarkably well during the family’s struggles giving much credence to the underlying theme of triumph over tragedy highlighted throughout her riveting story. Jeanne’s ability to bring readers into the fold of Bring Back Summertime will have audiences rooting against all odds for the full recovery of “Dr. J.”
