Debra Calhoun is a fiber artist, educator, and business leader who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Cre8tions, LLC, a company based in Akron, Ohio. Diamond Cre8tions specializes in quilt traditions, family art group creations, and independent jewelry design, with a focus on promoting cultural heritage through innovative art. Since founding her company in 2008, Calhoun has established herself as an advocate for the preservation and advancement of fiber arts.

Calhoun earned her Master of Arts in U.S. and Latin American History, with a concentration in African Studies, from Kent State University in 1990. Since 1991, she has been an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Pan-African Studies at Kent State, where she teaches courses focused on African and African American history and culture. Her interdisciplinary teaching integrates art, history, and cultural studies, offering students a comprehensive understanding of the African diaspora’s global impact. Calhoun is also the founder of the Akron African American Cultural Festival, an annual two-day event that showcases an African, African American, and global marketplace, which features the arts, food vendors, and live performances. The festival provides a platform for artists, musicians, and cultural ambassadors to celebrate African American heritage and unite the local community through art and performance throughout the greater northeast Ohio area.

Her community engagement extends to numerous local organizations, including the Akron African American Cultural Association, Akron Aids Collaborative, the County Department of Job and Family Services, and the Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services Board. Through her volunteer work, Calhoun has been committed to improving the lives of underserved populations and promoting the use of the arts as a means of community development.

In 2023, Calhoun graduated from Leadership Akron's Diversity on Board Class 8, a program that prepares leaders for nonprofit board service. Additionally, she is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated, where she continues to uphold the organization’s values of leadership, service, and scholarship. Calhoun’s contributions to Akron’s arts and cultural landscape have had a lasting impact, as she continues to inspire future generations of artists and community leaders.