BECOMING A DISTINCTIVELY DEB
The Debutante Program was born out of the vision of Mrs. Serita Jakes that we continue our legacy by pouring into the next generation of leaders. Her desire is that our daughters be ushered into their promise by the wisdom, mentoring and life coaching we afford them in love. The Debutante Program is designed for girls ages 10-17 years of age (or high school senior.)
CLASSIFICATIONS
To ensure tailored content to each individual debutante, debutantes are grouped as follows:
Core Deb: Age 16 + years of age/high school senior
Junior Miss Deb: Age 13-15 years of age
Junior Deb: Age 10-12 years of age
What is a debutante?
The term “debutante”, French for “female beginner”, is described as a young lady who has reached the age of maturity and is introduced to society at a formal debut presentation. The Distinctively Debs program was established in 1998 by First Lady Serita Jakes to inculcate young girls with teachings on grace, femininity, class, spirituality, and excellence. Year after year, mentors have ushered our daughters into their promise by the wisdom, mentoring, and instruction we afford them in love. With technology advancing and cultures evolving, we have incorporated those same teachings with advanced and modern provisions to equip today’s girls with a broad spectrum of knowledge to ensure their success upon moving forward from one milestone to the next.
What is a cotillion?
A cotillion is a formal ball given especially to debutantes, historically presented as a lively French social dance originating in the 18th century consisting of a variety of steps and figures performed by couples. This ball is a demonstration of the debutantes where their high moral character, social etiquette skills, and other achievements are highlighted and celebrated. The Distinctively Debs Cotillion is our annual culmination ceremony for Core Debutantes, Ages 16 and up, to be formally introduced to society as a young woman upon her successful completion of her debutante training.
OUR FOUNDER
Mrs. Serita A. Jakes is an author, speaker and visionary. She serves alongside her husband, Bishop T. D. Jakes of the legendary 30,000-member Dallas-based church, The Potter’s House. Mrs. Jakes serves as executive director of women’s and children’s affairs at The Potter’s House, where she oversees the internationally acclaimed God’s Leading Ladies Life Enrichment Program and the nationally acclaimed Distinctively Debs Program for academically astute girls.
A gifted writer, Mrs. Jakes released her first book, The Princess Within, in 1999. In 2003, Warner Faith published Jakes’ second book, Beside Every Good Man: Loving Myself While Standing By Him and in 2011, she released her third book, a novel, The Crossing, which tackles such issues as domestic violence, trauma and post traumatic stress syndrome. The Princess Within has now been adapted to a teen edition for girls ages, 12-15 entitled, The Princess Within for Teens. In 2014, she released The Princess Within for Teens to rave reviews and awards. The revised edition addresses contemporary issues that many “tween” and teen girls experience including bullying, peer pressure and social media.
Mrs. Jakes’ biblically-grounded knowledge allows her to share with believers and non-believers alike through appearances on The Dr. Phil Show, CNN, Oprah’s Next Chapter and Fox News. She also has been profiled in such notable publications as Ebony, The Washington Post, Essence and Rolling Out. A loving wife, mother and grandmother, Mrs. Jakes and her husband have five children and eight grandchildren.
Executive Director
Tiara Moore, a distinguished professional with a Bachelors in Business Administration (Major in Accounting) and a Master’s of Science in Accountancy from Texas Tech University, has been a trailblazer in various domains. During her college years, she actively engaged in organizations such as the Accounting Leadership Council, the Lauro Cavazos & Ophelia Powell-Malone Mentoring Program, the Sigma Alpha Lambda National Leadership and Honors Organization, and the Black Student Association.
Tiara’s commitment to community service and leadership manifested during her college tenure when she was crowned first place in the Miss Black & Gold Scholarship Pageant by the Eta Upsilon chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. She dedicated her time to numerous community service events, volunteering with organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs, SPCA, Safe Haven Animal Shelter, and Habitat for Humanity.
After graduation, Tiara delved into diverse roles, working with the Dallas Public Library and Rise, a non-profit focused on eliminating domestic violence. She then embarked on her professional career with Ernst & Young (EY), gaining experience in auditing various industries and serving as an Assurance Staff Accountant.
In 2017, Tiara founded Ladies for Art, Culture and Education (LACE), a non-profit enriching and inspiring young ladies through educational programs and mentoring interactions. Currently, she serves as the Executive Director of Distinctively Her, transitioning from her previous role as the Program Director of the Distinctively Debutantes Program. In her current capacity, she continues to lead this visionary initiative born out of Mrs. Serita Jakes’ legacy, providing wisdom, mentoring, and life coaching to the next generation of leaders. Tiara’s academic achievements and professional journey showcase her dedication to excellence and community impact, making her a notable figure in the realms of education, mentorship, and women’s empowerment.
Program Manager
Portia Washington, currently serving as the Program Manager for Distinctively Her, boasts over a decade of expertise in corporate and non-profit event planning. With a robust background in activating, promoting, marketing, and strategic planning, Portia has held pivotal roles such as Special Events Coordinator for T.D. Jakes Ministries/The Potter’s House of Dallas and Director of Investor Engagement at the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce. Her accolades include being named “Employee of the Year” in 2021 for outstanding contributions to signature program events and sponsorships at the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce.
An alumna of Texas Christian University (’08) with a degree in communication studies, Portia is not only a dynamic event professional but also a dedicated community servant. Actively involved in ministries at The Potter’s House of Dallas, a Board member for Where Are You? Homeless Outreach, and a lifetime member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., she seamlessly blends her event planning prowess with a genuine commitment to community service. Portia’s event philosophy centers on understanding each client’s unique needs and budgets, ensuring memorable events that reflect her unwavering dedication to excellence.
Program Coordinator
Jasmine Raglin is a highly accomplished Senior Project Manager, Product Strategy Consultant, and Client Services Manager with over two decades of experience in project management, operations, and global team leadership. Known for delivering sustainable results, Jasmine excels in asset and resource management, risk mitigation, and corporate training. Her current role as Program Coordinator for Distinctively Debutantes at The Potter’s House of Dallas showcases her dedication to excellence in program development, budgeting, and community engagement.
In her previous position as Client Service Partner and Operations Manager at Chime Solutions, Jasmine led diverse projects, managing cross-functional teams globally and presenting detailed reports to executive leadership. Beyond her professional endeavors, she actively contributed to community initiatives as a Core Mentor for DISTINCTIVELY DEBS, CEO/Founder/Principal Trainer of JAZZY FIT 30, and Program Coordinator/Assistant to Executive Director at RAY OF HOPE GIRLS, INC. Jasmine’s academic background includes a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor’s in Behavioral Analysis from Savannah State University, supported by certifications in various domains, including Health and Security Privacy, and Mental Health First Aid USA. Her dynamic leadership and commitment to community service make her a prominent figure in project management, client services, and women’s empowerment.
Administrative Assistant
Nesha Frazier is an accomplished executive assistant with a diverse background spanning fraud investigations, customer service, and administration. With more than 10 years of experience supporting C-suite executives and senior management, she brings a unique blend of skills and expertise to streamline operations, enhance organizational efficiency, and execute vision. Nesha possesses a keen eye for detail and a proactive approach to identifying and addressing potential opportunities for growth and vulnerabilities within business processes.
Before joining the Distinctively Her team as an Administrative Assistant in 2024, Nesha served as a volunteer for Woman To Woman Ministries and The Distinctively Debutante Program at The Potter’s House of Dallas for 8 years. With a proven track record of success and a commitment to excellence, she stands poised to make a significant impact as an executive assistant, contributing to the continued growth and success of the Distinctively Her team.
Nesha is a mother of two, Antwon II and Aycen, whom she shares with her husband Antwon Frazier. Additionally, she serves as the Cheer Director for the Triple D Buckeyes, a youth sports organization based out of Dallas, TX, and operates her own company as a virtual assistant.
