DeEtta is a, Evangelist, Author, Singer, Actor, Workshop Facilitator, Conference and Motivational Speaker. She travels throughout the country touching lives as she challenges and motivates the hearer to “Get Up!” (which is the title of her book) and move forward, towards their place of purpose. She delivers a message of hope. Her compassion is found in her commitment to speak life into the hearts of the wounded and broken vessels that God assigns to her. DeEtta’s desire is to help people get past their hurts so that they can fulfill the God-given calling on their life.
DeEtta was born and raised in San Diego, California. In 1970 DeEtta moved to Los Angeles where she began her journey in the entertainment industry. She accepted the call to ministry in 1979 in Hawaii, under her husband’s pastorate. In 1983 she was licensed by her husband. Her developmental years in ministry were spent in Hawaii and Los Angeles.
In 2001 DeEtta’s job at The WB Television Network, relocated she and her family to Atlanta where she was employed at Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. She was the Executive Assistant to the Chairman of Turner Broadcasting Systems, Inc. Presently DeEtta is employed a UP TV (formerly Gospel Music Channel) as the Community Affairs Liaison. She also proudly represents ASPiRE TV (Magic Johnson’s network). UP TV/ASPiRE TV are headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Along with the many hats that she wears, DeEtta was a featured host on UP’s “ Friday Night Family Night….Movie’s That Inspire Us,”
DeEtta attended San Diego State College with Music as her major. Along with being a minister, wife, mother and grandmother, DeEtta is an accomplished stage and screen Actor. She is also an accomplished voiceover artist. She is the recipient of a Gold Album where she sang the theme song, “Gonna Fly Now,” for the movie “Rocky I.” DeEtta hosted her own local television show in Los Angeles called “Tea with DeEtta.” She has many stage credits including: Starring role in the NAACP Award Winning Musical Theatrical Production, “BUSLINE 210,” the award winning show “THE ANOINTING,” the gospel musical “A TASTE OF LIFE” the hit show “NO MORE DRAMA, PLEASE!” and “THE CORINTHIAN SCANDAL.”
DeEtta has appeared in several UP TV world premiere movies and Gospel Stage Plays. Her movie and television credits include, “Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins,” starring Martin Lawrence, James Earl Jones, MoNique, Cedric the Entertainer, Mike Epps and many more. Guest appearance on “Meet The Browns,” as Perthalene Marie Jones; appeared in “The Preacher’s Kid, as the Bishop’s Secretary;” “Trinity Goodheart,” starring Eric Benet; “A Cross To Bear” starring Kim Fields; “If You Really Love Me,” starring Eva Marcille and Reagan Gomez; “Raising Izzie” starring Rockmond Dunbar and Vanessa Williams; “For Richer or Poorer, ” starring LeToya Luckett and Rockmond Dunbar, “Community Service,” starring Sheryl Lee Ralph, Clifton Powell and Terri J. Vaughn; “Between Sisters” starring Vanessa Bell Calloway, Denyce Lawton & GregAlan Williams; “The Dempsey Sisters” starring Anton Tanner, Denyce Lawton and Teairra Mari ; “Marry Me For Christmas” starring Malinda Williams, Jason Weaver, Brad James, GregAlan Williams & Carl Payne; “My Other Mother” starring Lynn Whitfield, Jasmine Guy and Essence Atkins; “Lyfe’s Journey” starring Richard T. Jones, Angelle Conwell and Keith Robinson; “Marry US For Christmas” starring Victoria Rowell, Malinda Williams, Marques Houston, Kristoff St. John, “A Baby For Christmas, “Merry Christmas, Baby” starring Malinda Williams, Victoria Rowell, GregAlan Williams; Saints & Snners (Season 2) starring Vanessa Bell Calloway, Keith Robinson, Demetria McKinney, Jasmine Burke and many more.
DeEtta is the sister of the late, Cleavon Little, star of stage and screen. He is best remembered for his starring role in the classic movie “Blazing Saddles.” He played the role of Sheriff Bart.
In 2015 DeEtta was asked to serve as an Ambassador for the Rhiza Babuyile Foundation, located in Johannesburg, So. Africa. Rhiza Babuyile was founded in 2004 as Babuyile Development Project, and was registered in 2005 with the department of trade and industry as a section 21 organization.. The word “Babuyile” means “they have come back” in Zulu. The initial purpose of Babuyile was to reintegrate former inmates into society through skills development initiatives. .Their goal is to uplift communities and truly eradicate poverty amongst historically disadvantaged communities. The name Babuyile indicates that our beneficiaries will give back to their communities to bring about a positive change.
In 2013 DeEtta received the Key To The City of Ocala, Florida from the Honorable Mayor Kent Quinn. This was presented to her at the Tabernacle Deliverance Outreach Ministries Women’s Conference Empowerment Luncheon.
In 2012 DeEtta was included in The Fourteenth Edition of “Who's Who In Black Atlanta…Celebrating African-American Achievement.”
In 2011, DeEtta and her husband were selected by the Atlanta Tribune Magazine as one of Atlanta’s “Most Powerful Couples.” They were featured on the cover of the February issue.
In 2009 DeEtta and her husband were inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers of Morehouse College. The Induction Ceremony took place in the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel, on the Morehouse Campus. This event marked the College’s 142nd Annual Science and Spiritual Awareness Week.
In 2002, DeEtta was selected to be one of the honorees, along with Antoine Fisher, Judge Greg Mathis, Atty. Johnny Cochran, Atty. Vernon Jordan, Ms. Tina Knowles and many other distinguished authors at the “11th Annual Trumpet Award’s Author’s Day.” This is an annual event held in Atlanta, Georgia, created and produced by Mrs. Xernona Clayton.
Finally, DeEtta has been married for 37 years to Dr. James A. West. She is the mother of three amazing children, Nicol, Danielle and Phillip. She is also a grandmother.
