Diane M. Burnette, PhD

I am a native of South Carolina, born and raised in the Pee Dee section of the state, best known for its fertile soil and pine trees. I attended public schools in Clarendon County and graduated from East Clarendon High School, where my interest in writing began as editor of my high school newspaper. I earned a doctorate in adult education from the University of Georgia. Raised in a family of educators, I naturally gravitated towards the education profession, which deepened my interest in literary works. During my graduate studies, I developed an interest in African American education history prompted in part by my dissertation research of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s). Building upon this foundation, my interest in African American history was further influenced by the works of well-known authors (some who are historians) including W.E.B. DuBois (The Soul of Black Folk, Vintage Books), Isabel Wilkerson (The Warmth of Other Suns,Vintage Books), James D. Anderson (The Education of Blacks in the South, 1860-1935, University of North Carolina Press), Richard Kluger (Simple Justice, Vintage Books) and William H. Watkins (The White Architects of Black Education: Ideology and Power in America 1865-1954,Teachers College Press). Extending beyond the scope of African American history, other writers that have garnered my attention in the non-fiction, history genre include Robert Caro, David Halberstam, and William Manchester. Perhaps, the most significant influence on my historical compass is my coming of age during the 1960’s and 70’s, which was one of the most dynamic periods in American history. My passion for African American history is reflected in my writings which is shaped by this experience and broadens my perception of southern life. I hope you will find the books of New Zion Stories an enlightening and enriching experience.