Founder and Executive Director

Deborah D. Nix is the founder and executive director of The Keys to Canaan. Mrs. Nix was born in Middlesboro, Kentucky. She grew up in Ward 8, where she graduated from Ballou Senior High School. She has lived in Ward 7 for over 20 years.

Mrs. Nix founded The Keys to Canaan in 2004. The organization has evolved over the years from initially reaching out to single mothers, then to grandmothers, then to fathers, and now to entire families. Her work with disadvantaged families originated in the Barry Farm community, close to 15 years ago. She has witnessed first-hand the hopelessness and despair disadvantaged youth, parents, grandparents and families face each day living in neglected housing and underserved communities in Wards 7 and 8.

Mrs. Nix is a visionary leader and change agent. Her vision is to give families, who desire to improve their quality of life, the keys, tools, information, encouragement, and support they need to transform their lives into beacons of light that exemplify hope, renewal and progress.

She strives to accomplish this by providing one-on-one case management for families through The Keys to Canaan’s Healthy Family Development Initiative. She is also committed to improving the overall health and wellness of individuals and families through the organization’s Family Exercise and Nutrition Program. Further, she is unyielding when it comes to creating opportunities for those who are, seemingly, invisible to the community, which has led her to work with formerly incarcerated men, who are seeking to be reacclimated and connected to their families and society.

As a community leader and advocate, Mrs. Nix adopts a non-intrusive, yet firm and nurturing approach toward supporting, empowering and strengthening parents, families and communities. The result is more informed, motivated and strong parents who love themselves and, in turn, demonstrate healthy love toward their families and communities.

Mrs. Nix received her Bachelor’s degree, in Communications, from the University of Pittsburgh, and her Master’s degree, in Public Relations, from American University. She is an ordained minister serving at First Rock Baptist Church, in Ward 7. She has been recognized by several organizations for her work in the community. She is married to Frank Nix, and has one daughter, Jenene.