R.I.P Debbie Bakaimani

n April 21st, 2016, Deborah Bakaimani, my former VP of Operations for Ambiance Magazine LA/ATL was called into transition.

Deborah “Debbi Deb” Bakaimani was born in Los Angeles CA in the winter of 1970. At the age of 6 mos. She and her parents went to Blantyre Malawi to live, while there her 76 two sisters were born. Chichewa is her native language, and she did not learn English until she moved back to the states in 1976.

Schooling was hindered for the first year since she could not speak English. That struggle gave her an insatiable thirst for learning. During her elementary and high school years she received many awards for her academic achievements which ultimately inspired her to become a teacher herself. When attending John Adams Middle school, she was tested for and placed in the Gifted Magnet program where she excelled. It was also during this time that she volunteered at St. Agnes Catholic school as a teacher’s assistant and found a love not only for the children but art as well. She attended classes and workshops in her free time at U.S.C. that were geared for her love of teaching and creating.

Deborah was accepted into Los An-

geles Center for Enriched Studies (L.A.C.E.S.) where she continued her general studies and graduated in the spring of 1989. She was married that following spring and had her first daughter. She was a stay at home mom and had 2 more children within 5 years. After the third child she decided to continue her education and found a full-time job as a student teacher.

She went on to receive her A.A. in Child Development and became an administrator at Golden Wings Academy located in Carson CA. She was there for 5 years and worked in every capacity of the facility. It was at this time that Deborah also developed a taste for business and business practices. She returned to school to learn the fundamentals of grant writing and nonprofit business and tax laws.

Children have always been a passion for her. She joined several advocacy programs and was a proud member of the NAEYC, Los Angeles Teachers Association, Southwest College Student Body Treasure, and more. Children and their well-being took a front seat in her career path. She became a foster parent and was trained as a liaison between foster parents and childcare centers to help foster parents find adequate safe childcare for the children in their care.

In the Spring of 1998, she welcomed another child and went back to work and school. She continued working as a school administrator at GARR Academy and was afforded the luxury of having her children attend the academy where she worked. She was credited with facilitating parent informative workshops, enlisting several community based resources such as GoodWill, Salvation Army, Challengers Boys and Girls Club that came in and would offer extracurricular resources and activities for parents and children for little or no cost. She also helped to raise funds for the schools so that dis-advantaged parents could receive scholarships for their children to attend the school.

In 2000 she had her last child and moved to San Bernardino County. There she helped to start the Rialto Teacher and Parent Association and opened her own childcare. She also returned to school receiving her B.A. in Psychology. She started and operated her childcare and continued her work with schools and the community for the next 11 years to help improve the quality of childcare and incorporate art and science in the general curriculum for preschoolers. In 2012 She decided to follow her dream of having a nonprofit that catered to homeless and foster children by giving children and parents resources that they need for the reunification process and assisting the family with any and all resources that would keep them as a cohesive unit and make them into a successful family unit.. She also started to dabble in jewelry making and came up with Vanilla Dreamz Bing to help support her new nonprofit called Kidz Unlimited. A sub line was created called 'Journey' which is a children's bubble gum bead and bow line, all proceeds go to fund Kidz Unlimited endeavors.

In 2014 I made an executive decision that changed the direction and legacy of Dark Gable Productions Unlimited forever. It was that fateful February in Hollywood that I invited a young businesswoman named Deborah “Debbie Deb” Bakaimani to join Ambiance Magazine LA/ATL.

At that time Ambiance Magazine

77

LA/ATL was under the umbrella of Dark Gable Productions.

Debbi Deb started out as an assistant editor and executive secretary. Debbie Deb had an energy and drive that was contagious. Eventually she took on more detailed and lengthy projects.

She later was promoted to the position of Public Relations Liaison for Ambiance Magazine LA/ATL

Before her untimely death in 2016 Debbie Deb was promoted to Vice President of Operations for DGPU.

Debbi Deb was instrumental in the closing of several business deals in the entertainment community.

It was at her urging that I decided to venture into the world of production and management. This directly led to personal & business collaborations with “Artist, Lon Michaels”, “Reality Show star, Jackie Christie” “Radio Host Mother Love ” “Comedian SHANG” ‘Beverly Hills iconic musical platform The H.O.M. E” “Band Leader, Rory Seldon with Inner Sessions” “Designer, Aros Crystos” as well as the production & development of “The Real Nailz Queens Reality Show Pilot

In her dual capacity she not only helped develop and implement the goals of Dark Gable Productions Unlimited (but pursue some of her own business endeavors).

78 Debbie Deb was not only a shrewd businesswoman but a fashion visionary as well. She developed two companies that were not only based on her love for children (but to inspire disenfranchised children and families to reach their goals and be successful).

Vanilla Dreamz Bling allowed her to venture into the fashion world and use her creative energy. Debbi Deb developed a unique process of “Blinging Out” everything (Cell Phone Covers, Custom Pillowcases, Designer Clothing, Custom Eyewear, Designer Jewelry, Dolls even Car Seat Covers.). She became quite popular for her “Rodeo Drive” specialty cell phone covers

Kidz Unlimited was a children’s fashion vehicle for kids 2-17 that focused on trendy and appropriate designs for both boys and girls. Kidz Unlimited also incorporated red carpet and charity events to showcase her young talent.

Debbie Deb's dedication to Family, Community & Legacy was her calling card. Everyone who met her, adored her! Occasionally her sarcastic wit raised eyebrows. But her genuine concern for people was always transparent. She could be both bulldog (in business) and Motivator (when it came to uplifting young women). Debbie Deb's contributions to DGPU growth is undeniable.

I am sure she’s up there in heaven trying to “Bling Out” some Angels Halo.