Piper Dellums is an American author and public speaker. She is the daughter of former U.S. Congressman and Oakland mayor Ron Dellums.

Personal life

edit

Her story about a white South African girl coming to live with her family in the 1970s, titled "Simunye", was the basis for the Emmy award-winning Disney movie The Color of Friendship (2000). The role of Piper Dellums was played by Shadia Simmons.[1]

She is the daughter of former U.S. Congressman and Oakland mayor Ron Dellums.[2] Her brother Erik is a professional actor and voice actor.[3] She has two daughters.[4]

Dellums is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley where she studied psychology, biology, and theater. She also earned a graduate degree in drama therapy with an emphasis in biochemistry at New York University.[4] Dellums travels throughout America speaking at conferences and workshops about her humanitarian work.[5]

References

edit
  1. ^ Greene, Sydney (March 2, 2019). "The Woman Who Inspired the Disney Channel Original Movie The Color of Friendship Reflects on Its Legacy". TV Guide. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  2. ^ Phillips, Morgan (July 30, 2018). "Ron Dellums, Antiwar Activist-Turned-Armed Services Chairman, Dead at 82". Roll Call. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  3. ^ Williams, Vanessa (October 14, 2011). "Actor Erik Todd Dellums stirs the black political pot with musings on President Obama". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "About". Piper Dellums. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  5. ^ "Press Release" (PDF) (Press release). East Texas Council of Governments. September 25, 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 8, 2016. Retrieved April 13, 2016.