Deah Berry Mitchell's biography
- Black American food historian and cultural preservationist
- Creator of the first AR app documenting Black history
- Founder of sold out Soul of DFW history tours
Deah Berry Mitchell is a historian, food scholar, and cultural preservationist whose work uses storytelling, scholarship, and technology to bring Black American history out of the archive and into lived experience.
A PhD candidate in history at the University of North Texas, Deah is the founder and CEO of Nostalgia Black Group, a multimedia company dedicated to preserving Black cultural history through writing, public speaking, tourism, research, and technology. She created Deep Ellum AR, the first augmented reality app in the United States developed by a woman to highlight Black history, and founded Soul of DFW Tours, producing sold-out bus tours combining food history and local Black cultural heritage. Funded by the City of Dallas, the app is now used in classrooms, walking tours, and cultural institutions across North Texas.
Deah's work connects academic research with public storytelling, helping organizations understand how food, place, and memory shape cultural identity and consumer experience. Her expertise in Black Texas history and digital heritage tools supports museums, tourism boards, educators, and corporate audiences seeking more authentic narratives and community engagement strategies for strategy and curriculum design applications.
Audiences leave Deah's sessions with a grounded understanding of Juneteenth history, Black Southern foodways and the role of storytelling in preserving cultural memory. Deah also demonstrates how technology can be used to surface hidden histories and how community-rooted entrepreneurship can build sustainable cultural and economic impact across education, tourism, and corporate sectors.
Book Deah to bring lived history, academic insight, and cultural storytelling to your next event.
Deah's showreel and videos
Topics, sessions and talks
Cornbread & Collard Greens - Black Culture Through Food
Join Deah Berry Mitchell, a PhD student specializing in American Historical Foodways, to explore Black culture through cuisine and local history. Deah's work aims to preserve Black cultural heritage and amplify the voices of Black-owned restaurants. She received the 2023-2024 Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy & the Culinary Arts Fellowship in Food History. Attendees will gain insights into Black culture's rich culinary traditions and historical significance.
Black History Month & Traditions
Deah, an expert in Southern and African American food and culture, will deliver an inspiring talk this Black History Month. The event will delve into the rich history of these cuisines, exploring their cultural significance and evolution. Attendees will better understand the historical context and cultural impact of Southern and African American food traditions.
This talk, led by Deah Berry Mitchell, combines Juneteenth celebrations with exploring Black food history. Attendees will learn about the cultural significance of Juneteenth and how traditional foods can play a role in the festivities.
Deah can discuss the pivotal role of Dallas/Fort Worth in igniting civil rights across the USA, delve into the history of Freedmen communities, or highlight the significant impact of local Black women on American history. Attendees will learn about the crucial contributions of these communities and individuals to the broader civil rights movement. Deah is currently developing a history app for the City of Dallas.
Discovering Texas' Successful Black Entrepreneurs
Deah's talk, "Discovering Texas' Successful Black Entrepreneurs: 1875-1975," delves into the inspiring stories of Black business leaders who thrived in Texas over a century. Despite facing systemic challenges, she highlights their innovative strategies, resilience, and significant contributions to the state's economy. Attendees will learn about the historical context, key figures, and the lasting impact of these entrepreneurs on their communities and beyond.
Why we recommend booking Deah
Deah's academic credentials and deep Texas roots give her credibility with both community and corporate audiences. Her city-funded AR history app, sold-out food tours, and Julia Child Foundation Fellowship signal a communicator who backs substance with proven public impact.
If you’re looking for someone who blends scholarship with storytelling, history with innovation, and culture with community impact, then Deah Berry Mitchell is the powerhouse you need in your corner. She is, without a doubt, a trailblazer making an indelible mark on the world!
I love the cowry (owo eyo” in Yoruba) earrings. I liked that you took some time to highlight the African cultural heritage of black people who became enslaved.
Thank you, Dr. Berry, for teaching me so much about slavery today. Seeing the actual numbers and abhorrent torture devices from the ships (and I'm sure, plantations) really opened my eyes up to how large a part of our history that slavery makes up- I didn't realize it existed for 246 years until today. Thank you!
