Dear Reader,

I am excited about this blog because you will get to hear about an amazing and interesting journalist. She is delightful, funny, witty and an inspirational speaker. As a journalist, one of her strengths is her ability to analyze and discuss current events. As well, she has a personal love for relevant news in the entertainment world. Also, she is a published author of her first book, “Black Widow: A Sad-Funny Journey Through Grief for People Who Normally Avoid Books With Words Like ‘Journey’ in the Title.” In addition, you will get to hear how to join in a Celebrity Sit-In Zoom visit so that you can meet her, ask questions and learn more of her story. I introduce to you – Leslie Gray Streeter.

 

Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, from childhood Leslie had a goal. “All my life, I wanted to be a writer,” she said. She remembers an incident that captures those early desires. In her family’s home, they had wallpaper that was decorated with trees. Leslie was around four years old at the time, and she had done something naughty. Her mom made her stand in the corner.

Leslie used the time to create a story about a beautiful princess and a mean queen. Leslie said the princess looked like her, and the queen coincidentally, looked like her mother. The trees on the wallpaper became a part of her story’s scenery. From that young age, Leslie knew she wanted to write stories. Reader, did you have a dream from childhood that you saw actualized?

In 8th grade, Leslie learned that she could study journalism. She was so pleased, and said, “They paid you to do that?” From that moment, she knew the career course she would take.

Though Baltimore was home for Leslie’s family, her father traveled to Saudi Arabia for a year. Then as he completed his work overseas, Leslie’s family joined him. Her father was an operation’s manager, and in the middle of Leslie’s sixth grade year, he was contracted to create the public transportation services in Saudi Arabia. Leslie’s mom is a social worker MSW, and while abroad she worked in a counseling role with nurses. Now, she is a registered nurse. She has also been a staff teacher for nursing in both Arkansas and Florida. Reader, did your parents’ careers influence you in any way?

 

After completing their work commitments, Leslie’s family returned to the states in 1984. Leslie continued her eighth through twelfth grade school classes in the Baltimore City school district. After high school graduation, she attended the University of Maryland and majored in journalism. During Leslie’s college years she was “writing all day long”, she said. She wrote for her class studies. She was a writer for several college newspapers. As well, her creativity sparked the beginnings of numerous book ideas. Reader, what is a skill learned during your academic years that you carry with you?

After college graduation, both Leslie and her sister moved to Florida where her parents were then living. When they arrived, Leslie’s father allowed his daughters to lay around the pool for two weeks. After that, they were required to get jobs. Leslie’s position was selling clothing at a “very bad mall store,” she said.

Two months later she was able to get an interview with a Miami Times newspaper manager. Leslie described the tough interview. As he looked over her resume, he told her, “This is under-impressive.” They continued to talk, and he decided to give her a chance. Then, Leslie told him she could not start the coveted writing position until after she gave her two weeks’ notice and completed her obligation to the dress store. The Miami Times manager liked her loyalty, and it helped to convince him that he was making the right decision in hiring Leslie. “He later became one of my greatest champions,” Leslie said. Reader, describe your work ethic?

At first, Leslie did daily reporting for the Miami Times. She did not have a car so she would ride the bus to work. The people she met during her travels sparked an idea for a column. Management approved, and Leslie became a columnist: her stories featured some of those traveling interactions. Reader, how have you advanced your career with your creativity?

After a year and a half of writing for the Miami Times, Leslie received a call from, Deena Gross, a Pennsylvania newspaper editor with the York Dispatch. She offered Leslie a six-month position. Leslie said, “yes”. After giving her proper notification, in 1994, she moved to York, Pennsylvania.

Her career grew from a six-month offer to an eight-year stint. At the beginning, she worked on general assignment stories for the York Dispatch. “I did a little bit of everything,” she said. This included the cop beats and coverage of events, such as festivals. She covered the stories of missing cats and stolen pumpkins. She also interviewed celebrities who came to York.

A remarkable conversation for Leslie was her interview with Sidney Poitier.  In 2002, he had been invited to speak for a Junior League event at the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center. Leslie explained that she and Mr. Poitier first spoke by phone. “I was so nervous. I know that he doesn’t like interviews much but he was wonderful,” Leslie said. Later, when they met face-to-face on the day of the show, Leslie said that he was excited to meet her.  As he shook Leslie’s hand, he said, “That was you?” Leslie said, that moment was, “So great. Later after the show I thanked him for being so kind in an activity he doesn’t enjoy.” Mr. Poitier’s response to Leslie, “But I remember I liked talking to you,” he said.” Leslie summed up this interview, “Awesome.” Reader, who is someone you met that will always stand out in your mind as “awesome”?

The publisher of the York Dispatch, Stan Hough, suggested that Leslie write a column which they titled “Flick Chick”. Leslie described it as a “a funny film column that was decidedly from a young, fun perspective.” In the weekly column, she would discuss a movie. For her, it was usually an action, romantic or comedic film. “I was serious about bringing perspectives or thoughts that typical critics who took themselves way, way too seriously, or who dismissed certain movies as beneath them.”

By 2002, Leslie recognized that she wanted to advance to a larger newspaper. She felt like she had accomplished some of her journalistic goals and it was time to leave York. She even considered film school as an option. She was now in her early 30s. One day she hoped to marry and have children. She wanted to live in a metropolis where she could take advantage of all that a larger city offered.

That year her York Dispatch newspaper editor, Deena Gross, sent Leslie to the American Association of Sunday and Features Editions event that recognized the great work of journalists. Leslie’s work had been submitted by her paper and she won a 1st Place award. The conference was in New York and her editor said, “Streeter, I’m sending you, but I’m so afraid you are going to find another job.”

The keynote speaker for the event was Martha Stewart. It was during the height of Stewart’s career when books and products were selling off the shelves. Leslie was not impressed with Martha’s speech. She felt it was not well-prepared and did not stir inspiration. Leslie looked around the room to see how others were responding. She moved her chair closer to a woman who seemed to be having the same reactions as Leslie.

The woman was Jan Tuckwood, the feature’s editor for the Palm Beach Post. She and Leslie whispered commentary to each other. Later, Jan told Leslie, “You were very funny.” She gave Leslie her business card and said, “if you ever want to move to Florida, call me.” How do you network, Reader?

The Palm Beach Post didn’t have a job opening at the time, but Jan kept in touch with Leslie. Every few months, she would check in and see if Leslie had considered her offer to move to Florida.

In August 2002, Leslie was on vacation and traveling in Montreal, Canada. When she returned, there was a message that Jan had called about an opening at the Palm Beach Post. Leslie flew to Florida the following Friday, stayed for 24 hours and had a four-hour interview with the Post. Returning home, she heard that she was offered the position. During that Labor Day weekend, she flew down again to look for apartments. The second week of September, she said good-bye to York and a week later became the Flick Chick and entertainment and features reporter for the Palm Beach Post.

Leslie said that the time she spent with the York Dispatch was invaluable to her. She lived eight years in York, Pennsylvania and grew in her expertise as a writer. Leslie never got used to being called “colored”, an antiquated and inappropriate word used to describe people who were African American. However, she learned to love the people and the area. The retailers and folks that she dealt with regularly became a part of her circle. For example, she loved talking to the woman at the market who sold the dumplings. She also made lifelong friends with her fellow journalists, including Jason Plotkin, who became like a brother to her.

One of the best pieces of advice Leslie received during those years was from York Dispatch cop reporter, Liz Evans. Liz told Leslie to stay open to knowing and enjoying the people she interviewed. “If you can’t respect them, you can’t write about them,” Liz said. Leslie learned that listening to Liz’s advice gave her a deeper connection and perspective to her writing. Reader, share some good advice that you were given?

Moving on, Leslie said good-bye to York, and focused on her new job with the Palm Beach Post. The position offered amazing new opportunities for Leslie. She did a traveling tour of the movie, Pretty Woman. She visited game shows. She was able to travel to other cities for interviews – Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Hollywood – and she had an endless array of adventures. She also was allowed to perform as an extra on the television show, The Young and the Restless.

This was a time when the newspaper industry was still strong. She was getting a good salary. It was challenging and exciting to be a journalist and “I had a really fun time,” Leslie said. She stayed with the Palm Beach Post for the next eighteen years. Reader, what perks help you stay in a work position?

In 2008, Leslie was reacquainted with some of her high school classmates. They were making plans on Facebook for the upcoming 20th reunion that would be held the following year. She realized that one of her old friends, Scott Zervitz, was now living close to her in Florida. Fun fact – Scott always had an eye for Leslie as a potential date, but the two never went out in those young teenage years.

Now, almost two decades later, Leslie and Scott reacquainted over a drink. For Scotty Z, as everyone called him, when Leslie entered the bar, he knew it was love the moment he saw her.

A year later, the couple married. However, that short six-word sentence doesn’t begin to describe the tale of their courtship or marriage.

Through personal circumstances, in 2013, Leslie and Scott met a tiny little baby, Brooks. At the time he was four-weeks old. By March of the next year, he was living in their home as they made plans to adopt him.

 

Then on July 29, 2015, unexpectedly and with much heartache to everyone who knew and loved him, Scott died.

Reader, you may think I am being insensitive in the way that I just told those significant events of Leslie’s life. However, it is just the opposite. I’m giving you only the basic outline because I personally know Leslie, and no one could tell that part of her story better than her.

Being the writer that she is, Leslie immediately envisioned writing their story. This wasn’t something she was doing to profit off of Scott’s death. Quite the opposite. In fact, writing was part of her grief process. Within a month, she started what would become “Black Widow: A Sad-Funny Journey Through Grief for People Who Normally Avoid Books With Words Like ‘Journey’ in the Title.” The book was published in 2020.

 

Reader, Leslie’s pain was palpable. Writing this story was her way of connecting us to the love that she and Scotty Z shared, and the immeasurable suffering and grief experienced as she processed his death.

When Leslie and I talked about me telling her story in the Drop In With Debbie blog, I told her that I did not want to tell the story she shared in “Black Widow.” That was her story to tell and no one could tell it as beautifully and heart-wrenching as she.  The blog would cover Leslie, the writer.

I knew Leslie from our days as fellow-journalists at the York Dispatch. She was someone who almost always had a smile on her face, and she was filled with delight and laughter. As I read about her grief, my heart physically hurt.

“Black Widow” is one of the most real, raw, honest books that I have ever read. I could not put it down. Is it about death? Yes. Yet, it’s much more. Leslie’s humor is delightful. Her descriptions of herself and other characters made me feel like I was in the room with them. I’ve never had a spouse pass away, but this book was so relatable. From page one, you are engulfed in her story.

My daughter, Stephanie, read “Black Widow” first, and then passed it on to me. Every time I read another piece of Leslie’s life-story I would text Stephanie with some sort of exclamation! “Oh, my goodness, I just got to this part in Leslie’s book!” or “Oh, I am crying, I just read about this in Leslie’s book.” Stephanie’s responses were always similar to this: “I know! Isn’t it so good!” Stephanie lives next door, and whenever our paths crossed, we would still be talking about “Black Widow”. Reader, I hope you too read this book. Please, tell me what you think.

So, back to Leslie’s life. After much consideration, Leslie, now a single mom, made another change. In March 2020, a week before the pandemic lockdown, Leslie and her son moved to Baltimore, Maryland. She would be closer to family members and her income now came from freelancing. This allowed her the professional space to work and support her new lifestyle with Brooks.  Reader, have you ever made significant changes in your life?

It is exciting to hear of all of the publications that Leslie has written for. The list includes: Washington Post and Washington Post Magazine, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, O, The Oprah Magazine, The Seattle Times, Boca Magazine, and Venice Magazine in Florida. As well, Leslie has contributed to a book project about grief, written bios for musical artists and consulted with authors writing their own book proposals. She has also built a following as a public speaker.

For those of you who share my secret passion for all things Bachelor and Bachelorette, you will appreciate my excitement when I saw this from Leslie – “My news: I will be covering “The Bachelorette” this season for the Seattle Times. As one of the leads, Katie Thurston, hails from there. It’s a fun assignment!” Reader, do I dare ask if you are a fan of this franchise?

Leslie’s life-story has so many more interesting pieces to it. Her loving relationship with her mom, her father’s death, now almost a decade ago, and Leslie’s close relationship with her twin sister, Lynne Streeter Childress. 

Both sisters were raised by the same parents at the exact same time and yet “we are completely different people”, Leslie said. She describes the bond that comes with being close to a sibling. Leslie said you would not want to play Pictionary with the two of them on the same team. They have a shorthand language of memories and experiences that make them a winning team. “We are incredibly close. We talk five times a day.” It is one of the reasons Leslie moved back to Baltimore – so that she could be closer to Lynne.

Going forward, Leslie will carry on her freelance journalism. She continues writing for larger newspapers such as the Washington Post, Seattle Times, Atlanta Journal-Constitution and more. She has also agreed to be the co-director of the ReNews Project with the Society of Professional Journalists to restart newspapers at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. As well, she is often hired for corporate freelance, music artist bios and more.

In October 2021, Leslie started working part-time as a writing coach online and, in some cases, in person, at Good Contrivance Farm in Reisterstown, outside Baltimore. She said she is “particularly psyched to work with journalists, memoirists and funny people.”

Also, Leslie is a third of the way through her second book; this time it’s a novel. She is also in the process of making her first book into a television series. She is a public speaker that includes invitations to speak on various podcasts. Leslie and her sister wrote a play together that is being produced in Baltimore.

 

As well, her personal life continues to blossom. Her son, Brooks, is now attending school, and Leslie is a soccer mom.

Looking back over what she has and continues to experience, Leslie shares some of her thoughts about grief. She said, “there is not only one way to grieve.” She said that we each face it in our own valid way. “We have to be able to honor and grieve without others telling us what we should be doing.” Leslie relates this not only to death, but other losses such as health, job, or covid experiences in our community. “We need more understanding and patience with each other,” she said.

Reader, I hope that reading this month’s blog inspires you to buy “Black Widow: A Sad-Funny Journey Through Grief for People Who Normally Avoid Books With Words Like ‘Journey’ in the Title” by Leslie Gray Streeter. It is one of those books that will stay with you forever. Leslie’s ability to invite us into her life, her wordsmithing as a writer, and her heartfelt stories – well, Reader, I cannot wait to hear from you after you read her book. Let me know your thoughts.

In fact, I’m offering a wonderful opportunity for some of you to visit with Leslie during the five-part series called Celebrity Sit-In. I am hosting actors and authors. On February 17, 2022, it will be Leslie’s turn to be the guest speaker.  I will hold a Zoom session from 9 am to 10:30 am MT so that you will be able to enjoy a Q & A event with Leslie. (See below for more information about how to register.) The cost is $5, and all proceeds go to the Friends of the Longmont Senior Center.

To end, I would like to share a favorite poem of Leslie’s. The poem is written by Lucille Clifton. Clifton was an American writer, professor and two-times finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for poetry. As well, she was the Poet Laureate of Maryland from 1979 to 1985. The last few lines of her poem, titled “won’t you celebrate with me” especially inspire Leslie.

won’t you celebrate with me

what i have shaped into

a kind of life? i had no model.

born in babylon

both nonwhite and woman

what did i see to be except myself?

i made it up

here on this bridge between

starshine and clay,

my one hand holding tight

my other hand; come celebrate

with me that everyday

something has tried to kill me

and has failed.

Reader, Leslie’s story is one that will move my heart forever. I hope you enjoyed her story. As we go forward, let’s show, as Leslie said, more “understanding and patience with each other”. Also please read the Final thoughts from Leslie section at the end of the blog.

 

Last month, you were introduced to Laura Ambler, podcaster and kind soul on our planet. Many readers sent emails saying how much they enjoyed reading and were inspired by Laura’s story. Here are some of the readers’ comments: Maria said, I didn’t get to reply to last month’s blog. I loved their money management business, it’s so needed. And talking about Laura’s story, Maria said: You are a good interviewer, I don’t know if you were always good at asking the right questions but you certainly have grown in that, I’m sure. It’s amazing that her mother lived having been such a preemie and they just put them on a warm place like that oven door in a shoebox!! I’m glad Laura found a community and you painted her very well with your words in your blog.

Bob shared about a person in his community: Awesome blog; I’ve moved back to my hometown, York; the Commissioner of Police is amazing; he is so dedicated and speaks less and does more; thank you Michael Muldrow. 

  

Until next month, may peace be at your side,

Debbie Noel

We have several ways to interact with Debbie!

• Instagram: Find me with the handle @dropinwithdebbie or visit https://www.instagram.com/dropinwithdebbie/

• Facebook: Tag me with @DropinwithDebbie or visit https://www.facebook.com/DropInWithDebbie/  to like and follow!

• Email her at DroppingInWithDebbie@gmail.com

• Register with the site (very bottom of the page) to have your comments viewed online

• Send your letters to:

Debbie Noel
C/o Longmont Senior Center
910 Longs Peak Avenue
Longmont, Colorado 80501

 

Leslie Streeter contact information

• Follow Leslie on Twitter
• Like and follow Leslie on Facebook
• Follow Leslie on Instagram

Read and follow Leslie’s blog, which includes posts as well as other services she provides, other news and her schedule.

 

Celebrity Sit-In Event Information:

Celebrity Sit-In with an Author: hosted by Debbie Noel. 

On February 17, 2022, 9 am to 10:30 am MT, (10 am Central, 11 am EST, 8 am Pacific) you will have the opportunity to meet with Leslie Gray Streeter. She is a well-known journalist who has written for numerous publications nationwide. Her first book is titled, “Black Widow”. The session will be a Q & A time to get to know her and more about her writings. She is delightful, funny, witty and an inspirational speaker. As a journalist, one of her strengths is her ability to analyze and discuss our world. As well, she has a personal love for relevant news in the entertainment world. I recommend, if possible, read “Black Widow” so that you know more of her story before the Q & A. This will be a Zoom session. A link will be provided to you from the host.

You are able to register now!

• The cost is $5 Resident, $6 Non-Resident
• All proceeds go to the Friends of the Longmont Senior Center
• To register, call the Longmont Senior Center – (303) 651-8411 Registration number for this event is: #183024.00

Here are three options for purchasing the book if you want to read it before you hear our guest speaker:

Locally, in Longmont, Barbed Wire Books will be able to order the book for you and may already have it in the store. They are offering a 20% discount. They are located at 504 Main St, Longmont, CO 80501. Phone number: (303) 827-3620. You can also go to their website barbedwirebooks.org. Go to Products and Services and then in the dropdown go to online options. The owner said, “All is explained there.”

Leslie’s first book, “Black Widow: A Sad-Funny Journey Through Grief for People Who Normally Avoid Books With Words Like ‘Journey’ in the Title” can be purchased through Hearts and Minds bookstore: cost is 16.99 in paperback / $27.00 in hardback, with a 20% discount on either format. Mention Debbie Noel for the discount. Shipping is $3.49 for Media Mail or $7.60 for Priority Mail. Place your order on their website or  call their store: 717-246-3333.

Order “Black Widow: A Sad-Funny Journey Through Grief for People Who Normally Avoid Books With Words Like ‘Journey’ in the Title” on Amazon.

Final thoughts from Leslie:

We are getting towards the end of my first year as an independent writer, which is exciting and scary but coming together. I have some exciting projects coming up in the next few months, including writing and speeches and such, but I wanted to point you towards some ways you can support me and my stuff!

• Buy my book, Black Widow, wherever books are sold, but preferably from a small independent bookstore like Baltimore’s Greedy Reads or The Ivy, D.C.’s Mahogany Books or New Orleans’ Blue Cypress Books.
• Are you an indie music artist, business person or someone else wanting to tell your story? I’ll write your bio for your website!
• Are you looking for a speaker for Black History Month, Women’s History Month, or just because you like a dope lady talking about 90s girl groups? Contact me at leslie@lesliegraystreeter.com and get my rates!
• Looking for writing coaching? Email me!
• Need a freelance story, from essays to lists to reported articles, about parenting, grief, pop culture, race, woman stuff, dating, food and more? Contact me!

It’s such a weird time and money is tight. I’m even that more excited to be able to produce good, creative, quality work. To paraphrase Sir Elton, my gift are my words, and these ones could be for you!

And while you’re here, sign up for my newsletter, Who Knows Where That Might Lead, on Substack!