Piper Dellums facts for kids
Piper Dellums is an American author and public speaker. She is known for her story "Simunye," which inspired the Disney movie The Color of Friendship. Piper is also the daughter of Ron Dellums, who was a U.S. Congressman and the mayor of Oakland.
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About Piper Dellums
Her Early Life and Education
Piper Dellums grew up as the daughter of Ron Dellums. Her father was an important person in politics. He served as a U.S. Congressman and later became the mayor of Oakland, California. Piper also has a brother, Erik Dellums, who is an actor.
Piper went to the University of California, Berkeley. There, she studied interesting subjects like psychology, biology, and theater. She continued her studies at New York University. At NYU, she earned a special degree in drama therapy. This field uses drama to help people.
Her Story and a Disney Movie
One of Piper Dellums' most famous works is her story called "Simunye." This story is about a white girl from South Africa who came to live with Piper's family in the 1970s. This was a time when South Africa had unfair laws called apartheid.
Piper's story became the basis for a Disney movie. The movie was called The Color of Friendship and came out in the year 2000. It won an Emmy Award, which is a big honor for TV shows and movies. In the movie, the role of Piper Dellums was played by actress Shadia Simmons.
Helping Others Through Speaking
Piper Dellums travels across America to share her experiences. She gives talks at conferences and workshops. Her speeches often focus on her humanitarian work. This means she works to help people and improve their lives.
Her Family Life
Piper Dellums has two daughters.