Barbara Dean Franklin is a highly accomplished professional with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. She has worked in the telecommunications industry for 36 years, starting as an Installation Order Clerk at Michigan Bell Telephone Company in 1975 and retiring from AT&T in 2012.  At AT&T, she held various management positions, proving strong leadership abilities and a deep commitment to her work.  Her leadership skills and impressive work ethic have earned her a reputation as a trusted and dedicated employee. But that is not all; Ms. Franklin's passion for serving her community truly sets her apart.

In addition to professional commitments, Ms. Franklin's passion is to stand in the gap, being a diligent steward dedicated to serving her community. In 2010, she founded Women Empowered Cross N Paths, a non-profit organization aimed at empowering women in her community and positively affecting their lives.  In 2012, she launched a talk show called "Real Talk Real People," which aired on the WIGN-TV network for three years.  In the show, Ms. Franklin interviewed ordinary people in the community who were making a difference and highlighted their work. Her passion for people is evident in each interview; guests feel like they have made a new friend.

Ms. Franklin's dedication to community service extends beyond her hometown of Detroit, MI, and into Deltona, FL, where she serves on various boards of Directors for organizations focused on youth engagement, ending homelessness, and domestic abuse.  Ms. Franklin is also a John Maxwell certified public speaker, a State of Florida Commissioned Notary, and a Marriage Officiant.