Debra Hand has contributed tens of thousands of dollars in funds and artwork to Chicagolands charitable and non-for-profit organizations.  She has generously donated to organizations such as Art Against Aids, Martin Luther King Boys Club, United Negro College Fund, Cook County Bar Association, Harvard Academy, South Side Community Arts Center, Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, Muntu Dance Theater, Bronzeville Military Museum, Southwest Women Working Together, South Suburban Links, North Shore Links, Barbara Bates Foundation, eta Creative Arts Foundation, Delta Sigma Theta, OMNI-U, Jazz & Art Unites, Spirit of Southshore, The Mannequins, CMBDC, Sister Friends, Kappas, Chicago’s Coalition for the Homeless, Chicago’s Coalition Against Hunger, Children’s Memorial Hospital, Shore Bank/PAT Foundation Scholarship Program and others. Debra Hand, recipient of the *Black Excellence Award for her outstanding work in the visual arts, is highly sought after by art aficionados and collectors alike. Her sculptures have even been acquired or commissioned by other renown visual artists such as Dr. Margaret Burroughs, cofounder of the DuSable Museum, and Samuel Akainyah; and presented to renown performing artists such as actress Cicely Tyson & jazz musician Branford Marsalis and acclaimed director, Spike Lee.

Debra Hand holds a Masters Degree in Information Technology from Northwestern University/McCormick School of Engineering. Her current primary medium is wood which she carves and stains by using proprietary processes. Even upon close inspection viewers are convinced that her work is hewn from metal.

Debra Hand’s climb to prominence is evidenced by the growing list of art aficionados who covet her work. Hand was commissioned by the renowned artist Samuel Akainyah to create three of her signature-style sitting sculptures to honor each of his children. Acclaimed director, Spike Lee, also requested one for his wife and daughter. Debra Hand’s sculptures grace many collections including that of the DuSable Museum in Chicago and Dr. Margaret Burroughs / Founder; Cicely Tyson – legendary actress, Branford Marsalis – renowned jazz musician; Barbara Bates - celebrated Fashion Designer; William Brazley, renowned Architect; Peggy Brazley, South Suburban Links Chapter; Abena Joan Brown, President – ETA Arts Foundation; Barbara Bowles, CEO, The Kenwood Group; Oscar Brown Jr., International entertainer; Diane Dinkins-Carr, President – Southside Community Arts Center and Louis Carr, President of BET Entertainment-Marketing; Bruce Carver, SVP/CIO PepsiCo; Leanna Flowers, Chairwoman – Muntu Dance Theatre; Joan Gray, President, Curtis Jones – Entertainer, Pamela Johnson, Vice President – Baldwin- Richardson Foods; Joan Gray, President – Muntu Dance Theatre; Clyde Hammond, President – Summit Laboratories; Ed Hawkins, CEO – Unified Technology Partners, LLC. & wife Attorney Eileen Hawkins; Kym Hubbard, Muntu Dance Theatre; Leigh Jones – Leigh Jones Coiffures; Candice Matthews, President, SoftSheen – Carson; Attorney Stephen Mitchell; Attorney Andrea Townson; Attorney Stan Stallworth; Attorney Greg Wilson; and Janice & Steve Baskerville to name a few. Debra Hand’s work has been featured at exhibits and auctions that include prestigious venues such as the Akainyah Gallery, Jonathon Romain Galleries, the African American Military Museum, Cog Hill Country Club, Chicago Cultural Center, Drake Hotel, GSU Center for Performing Arts, Hyatt Regency, Irons Oaks, Museum of Contemporary Art, Museum of Science and Industry, Nicole Gallery, Olympia Fields Country Club, South Shore Cultural Center, Supreme Art Gallery, William Bigham’s Gallery, Wood Street Gallery and Wisdom Artists Gallery. Her work has been filmed by NBC & ABC News, CLTV, Chicago Cable Access and AT&T Broadband; and has been featured in many publications including "The Art of Culture - Evolution of Visual Art by Black Artists" published by Africa House International; and "African Art the Diaspora and Beyond" by one of Chicago's leading African art collectors and author, Daniel Parker.