In 2019, Deborah launched Essence Village, Essence’s cultural hub from driving diversity and inclusion within the agency. Since launch, Essence Village has hosted two fireside chats, openly discussing experiences of an ethnic minority in the media industry and the progress they hope to see, which has gone on to inspire other D&I groups to be reinvigorated across the agency. Inspired after finding a lack of Black history being taught in Britain, Deborah co-founded I AM History, a Black lifestyle and culture publication designed to raise awareness and be a voice for Black stories, both historic and present day. I AM facilitates learning about Black heroes, events and era and advocates Black culture by celebrating role models through interviews and thought-pieces.