Home > Gloria's Story

Gloria's Story

Click here to view Gloria’s extensive Vitae of professional and personal accomplishments.

Dr. Gloria Burgess loves nothing more than inspiring others to create a bridge from what was, and what is, to what can be . . . and she's dedicated her entire life to doing just that.

An author, speaker, executive coach, and consultant who engages individuals and organizations in the process of finding the vital core of their creative self. Gloria weaves together her own personal legacy using the threads of authenticity, creativity, soulful living, and cultural inclusivity.    

Creating a bridge . . .

The legacy Gloria lives was kindled early on by the true-life example provided by her father, and his benefactor, Nobel prize-winning American author William Faulkner. 

Back in the time when racial segregation reigned in our nation, Gloria’s father worked as a janitor at “Ol’ Miss”—the University of Mississippi. As he swept floors and emptied the trash, he dreamed of getting a good education of his own. Fueled by the determination to make a better life for his family, he courageously spoke to others about his dream. One day, he spoke to a professor about his burning desire to go to college. That professor told Dr. Love, the Dean of Ol’ Miss, about Gloria’s father. Dr. Love told someone else.

That someone else was William Faulkner.

Faulkner not only paid Gloria’s father’s college expenses, he also made sure that Gloria, her mom and her sisters had clothes to wear.  Faulkner’s generous gift and friendship, along with her father’s commitment to his dream allowed her family to eventually move out of poverty, and out of the South.

From what was . .

Perhaps more importantly, Faulkner's taking a stand on behalf of Gloria's father was his own personal way of chipping away at institutionalized racism—long before integration was mandated. By the same token, Gloria's father's willingness to be befriended by Faulkner and the courage and humility with which he received this gift opened doors for everyone in their family. His legacy was his unflagging determination and abiding commitment to his dream of attending college.

Because he didn’t see how he could repay Faulkner, Gloria's father initially declined Faulkner's offer. Even so, Faulkner insisted that Gloria’s father receive the gift and simply pass the blessing on to someone else along the way.

And what is . . .

In living her legacy, Gloria passes her father’s blessing on to others in return.

Described by many as “ . . . a pleasing fragrance of a person who cares deeply and loves all the threads of her life, “ Gloria Burgess is a human loom who synthesizes every aspect of her life and work to benefit others in the most extraordinary way. 

Gloria speaks and leads legacy journeys worldwide. Mother, sister, daughter, and wife in a 30+ year legacy-living marriage, Gloria is an award-winning poet, author, director, and performing artist. She is also Principal of Jazz, Inc., her executive coaching and consulting firm.

Gloria has published Legacy Living as well as three books of poetry, including Journey of the Rose and The Open Door and has written an inspirational picture book for children of all ages about her father’s life-changing relationship with author William Faulkner.  She is currently at work on a new nonfiction book, Dare To Wear Your Soul on the Outside, the follow-on volume to Legacy Living.

Gloria earned a PhD in Performance Studies and an MBA in Organizational Behavior and Information Systems from the University of Southern California. She also holds an MA in Applied Behavioral Science from Bastyr University, and an MA in Speech Communication and Theater from the University of Michigan.

Click here to view Gloria’s extensive Vitae of professional and personal accomplishments. 

To what can be . . .

Working with people of all cultures, ages, and life circumstances, Gloria’s purpose is singular: to help others lift their voice as instruments for personal, professional, and organizational transformation. 

Just like the art and discipline of jazz, Gloria's work is engaging, affirming, and exhilarating. She believes in the power of improvisation, evoking and building on the thoughts and ideas of others to help individuals and organizations get from where they are to where they want to be. As expertise and discipline fuse with creativity and chaos, something fresh is born out of that which is familiar, and something personal out of that which is shared.

Gloria knows that the essence of transformation comes from the human spirit and a higher power, which unfolds as a creative, spontaneous conversation with the soul.

Dare to wear your soul on the outside!™

To learn more about how Gloria can help you or your organization, or to book Gloria for a keynote or workshop, please call us at 206.954.0732 or email us an Event Request.

Get your jazz on with Gloria! Visit her new "Daring" blog, to share joy, hope, and uplift one another on our journeys.
Go to Gloria's blog.