Deborah Joy Winans is an actress and singer. She is also a member of the Winans family, the gospel singers and musicians who are responsible for producing musical hits such as “Tomorrow”, “Millions”, “Addictive Love”, and “Lost Without You”. Currently, Deborah Joy is starring as Charity Greenleaf-Satterlee in the Oprah Winfrey Network drama series, Greenleaf. Making a name for herself, her role as the Bishop’s youngest daughter and Minister of Music at their church is one that has its ups and downs, and twists and turns that can be standard for leading religious families, a subject she knows a little something about.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Winans is the daughter of Carvin Winans one of the members of The Winans singing group and 3WB or 3 Winans Brothers. He is also the fraternal twin brother of Bishop Marvin L. Winans, Sr., pastor of Perfecting Church in the city of Detroit. Deborah Joy’s mother is named Deborah but she also has an aunt named Debra who is known as Debbie. Her siblings are Carvin Jr., Juan, Ian, Shanniah, and Laylah. Her cousins are the members of The Winans Phase II - Marvin Jr. and Michael Jr. This group also includes her brothers Carvin Jr. and Juan. Her aunts are Angelique Caldwell (Angie), Debra Lowe (Debbie), Priscilla Love (Cece Winans), and her uncles are David II, Ronald (deceased), Marvin, Michael, Daniel, and Benjamin (BeBe). Her grandparents, also gospel singers, are David Sr. (Pop, deceased) and Delores (Mom) Winans.
In 2014, Winans began her acting career appearing in "Fragile World", a small film. Later she was cast as her aunt CeCe Winans in the Lifetime television biographical film "Whitney" directed by Angela Bassett. Winans later made her stage debut in the musical "Born for This: The BeBe Winans Story."
In 2015, Winans was cast in the Oprah Winfrey Network drama series, Greenleaf. Casting for Greenleaf began in 2015 and Winans was cast in a series regular role. The series, which returns for Season Two in March 2017, also stars Keith David, Lynn Whitfield, Merle Dandridge, Lamman Rucker, Kim Hawthorne, Tye White, Desiree Ross, Gregory Alan Williams, and Lovie Simone. Keith David was cast in the leading role of Bishop James Greenleaf, the family patriarch and leader of Greenleaf World Ministries. Emmy Award winner Whitfield stars as Lady Mae Greenleaf, Bishop Greenleaf’s wife. She is the steely and power and money hungry matriarch of the family. Dandridge plays the role of Grace 'Gigi' Greenleaf, Mae and Bishop's middle daughter who returns home with her teenage daughter Sophia (played by Ross) 20 years after escaping from the family. Tye White plays the role of Kevin Satterlee, Charity’s husband, the Bishop’s son-in-law. Lamman Rucker plays the role of Jacob Greenleaf, the eldest, ne’er-do-well son of the Bishop. Hawthorne stars as Kerissa Greenleaf, Jacob’s ambitious and controlling wife, and the school administrator. Williams plays the role of Robert 'Mac' McCready, Lady Mae's brother. Simone plays the role of Zora Greenleaf, Kerissa and Jacob's teenage daughter. She and her cousin Sophia (Gigi’s daughter) are close friends.
Recurring cast members include the following: Oprah Winfrey as Mavis McCready, Lady Mae's sister and a close confidant of Grace; also a blues club owner; Terri J. Vaughn as Melisse, the chief at Greenleaf mansion; Benjamin Patterson as Noah Kendall, Greenleaf Estate’s manager, church Security chief and Gigi's ex-crush; Anna Diop as Isabel, a teacher who is engaged to Greenleaf Estate’s manager, Noah Kendall; Bill Cobbs as Henry McCready, Gigi's maternal grandfather; Michael Rodrick as Sophia's father from California, Ray Fisher; Kristin Erickson as Alexa Campbell, the Bishop's Secretary and Jacob's mistress; Terri Abney as Faith Greenleaf, Mae and Bishop's daughter, who dies before first episode; Gary Weeks as Adrian Miller; Jen Harper as Deacon Connie Sykes; and, Roxzane T. Mims as Darlene, the second secretary.
In addition to acting, Deborah Joy also sings and leads a number of the songs for the Greenleaf soundtrack. According to her website www.JoyWinans.com, she previously toured with Women of Faith across the US to inspire and empower women through weekend religious conferences. She is married to Terrence Williams, an attorney and community activist. He is the owner of the West Michigan American Indoor Football team, The West Michigan Ironmen. He is also the co-founder of the WV Foundation, an organization that provides scholarships, mentoring and internships to at-risk youth in the Muskegon, Michigan area. Winans works with her husband to provide better opportunities for underserved youth.
For more information about Winans, visit her website at www.JoyWinans.com.
(Source – Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia)