Dr. Debbye Turner Bell is a veterinarian, broadcast journalist, motivational speaker, workshop facilitator, corporate trainer and Miss America 1990. In August, 2021, Turner Bell will add author to her many roles with the publication of her first book, “Courageous Faith: A Lifelong Pursuit of Faith Over Fear.” For more than two decades, she has addressed audiences in the corporate, academic, and community service arenas. Among the topics she has addressed are “Being A Woman in A Man’s World,” “Effective Communication,” “Power of Influence,” and “Enhancing Diversity in Health Professions.” In addition to her speaking and media work, she is the Founder and CEO of Debbye Turner Bell Consulting, providing leadership development training in communications, influence, and diversity to corporate and business leaders, managers, and executives. She has been a guest lecturer and commencement speaker on numerous college campuses.
Since she was crowned Miss America 1990, Debbye has spoken to thousands of students at
hundreds of schools, youth organizations, and college campuses. Her topics include personal excellence, unrelenting determination, goal setting, and the importance of a solid education. She strongly believes that any person has the potential for success no matter their race, socio-economic background, or gender. She uses her own life as an example of triumphing over the odds. It took seven years, eleven tries in two states to get to the Miss America Pageant. Dr. Turner Bell ministers the Word of God to youth, singles, women’s groups, and church services nationwide. She became a licensed minister in 2005, an ordained deacon in 2009 and an ordained Elder in 2011. She now serves as Leadership Development Pastor at Kentwood Community Church. Dr. Turner Bell combined her expertise from her Veterinary Medical degree and her vast public relations and speaking experience as Miss America to forge a career in broadcast journalism. Recently, Turner Bell served as the lead U.S. news anchor for Arise News, a global cable news network. For 11 years, Turner Bell was a staff correspondent for CBS News. She covered a variety of subjects, and was often called upon to cover breaking and developing news. During her time at CBS, she appeared on “The Early Show,” “CBS Evening News,” and “CBS Sunday Morning.”
After many years of being single, God provided His perfect choice for Debbye at the tender
age of 42. God sure is faithful!! Debbye married Gerald Bell in 2008 and the happy couple welcomed their first child, Lynlee, into the world in February, 2010. The Bells live in Grand Rapids, Michigan.