Daily Inspiration: Meet Dianne Shorte

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dianne Shorte.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Growing up in beautiful East Palo Alto, now known as Silicon Valley, at the age of 18 years old, Dianne was crowned, “Miss East Palo Alto.” Dianne was raised by her mother, a single parent who died at the age of 43 of stomach cancer when Dianne was 20 years old. It was Dianne’s love of reading that helped her endure the loss of her mother, and it was the impetus for her to become a writer. Writing in her journal has been the healing salve for all of her troubles in life. One of her favorite quotes is from her own book, “What you focus on will guide the direction your life will take, make sure your vision is aimed at your purpose.” This quote is a reminder to her not to chase anything that takes her away from her true purpose, which is to use her influence to empower girls and women. Dianne Shorte, began her entertainment career receiving a Teen Model of the Year award, and having held titles including Miss Positivity – Miss Black America, and Miss Kool-KDIA and Mrs. Los Angeles. After being dissatisfied with the progress she was making in Hollywood she started her own company, Simply Samba Entertainment (a company that provides samba dancers for events and parties). She was able to establish a major clientele, including the Nancy Reagan Foundation, Dianne has a B.A. with emphasis in psychology from Antioch University and is the author of L.O.V.E. Ladies Operating Very Effectively “Finding the Power to Change Your World.” The book focuses on motivating and inspiring women to change patterns of behavior, to develop effective habits, and to live authentic lives. It also highlights the extraordinary “ordinary” women who are doing amazing work in their community and in the world. On February 7, 2026, Dianne will produce the 10th Annual LOVE Awards, The LOVE Awards has honored over 70 women and five men during its inception. Dianne has danced with Janet Jackson, appeared in Debbie Allen’s Chocolate Nutcracker, danced with the LA Sparks, Ole Skool Dance Crew and appeared in videos with Quincy Jones, Howard Hewitt and Donny Osmond. For the past 29 years, she has been employed at a major law firm in Los Angeles, California. She is happily married and has three adult children and 7 grandchildren. Website: (non-profit) www.loveawards.org and (coaching) www.veryeffectivewomen.com.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road at all. The biggest struggle was overcoming the feeling that I was going to die young. Between the ages of 16 and 25, I lost my mother, my favorite aunt, neighborhood friends, and my best friend to death. The pain of so much loss caused me to lose desire for my dreams and goals. All that I could think of was that I too would probably die young. At the funeral of my 25 year old bff, who was also my first roommate, I made a pact with myself that I would “live” my life for everyone who had died. My success would honor their deaths. It was a turning point for me. I allowed myself to remember the dreams that I had written on the pages of my journals, and I decided to live my life by design – not default. Although, I am a creative, I had to support myself. I found work as a legal secretary. This job afforded me the funds to take dance and acting classes, and to live on my own. At 28 years old, I became pregnant with my oldest son and eventually had to raise him on my own. What I learned about myself through the pain and loss was that as long as I was alive, I could change any situation! My faith in God was strong and I knew that I could not fail at anything if it was God’s will for my life. I worked 9-5 and went on auditions on my lunch hour or paid days off. I remember taking my son with me to an audition and the other actors watched him while I went in the room to audition. Working in the legal field has provided its own struggles.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
This is a loaded question for me. I’m a career legal assistant, author, dancer, teacher, coach, and for the past ten years, Producer. I love producing events. Watching a room transform to a beautiful event makes my heart sing. I’ve produced the KITS Film Awards as well as my own event, The LOVE Awards. I would say that my specialty is service. I am my best when I am serving others, and I would also say that “serving others” is what sets me apart from others. I’ve met so many people through my service and have been able to establish lifelong relationships through serving organizations small and large. I would guess that this is what I’m known for. I show up for the community! Whenever someone needs help, they can call me to be there! I know what it feels like to need help, so I help others. I’m most proud of being a “boy/man” mom. I’ve raised my sons to be amazing human beings. How do I know this? The women who date them have all shared with me what a good job I’ve done in raising fine men. I’m also very proud of The LOVE Awards. It is my way to honor women. My mother would tell me that I couldn’t help everybody. She may have been right, but I can do my part to celebrate, recognize and bring honor to so many who may never be recognized because they are not celebrities. I believe that my legacy will be that I am my sister’s keeper! Bringing, class, elegance and authenticity wherever I go.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
Faithful Central Bible Church has been a host for the past ten years and their staff is extremely proficient and professional; Michelle King (board member and advocate); Dominique Green (board member, advisor and advocate); Lakiba Pittman (mentor); Lynea Bell (mentor); Robyn Weitz (donor and supporter); Ryan Nowicki (Assisted with setting up my non-profit and donor); Dino Shorte (supportive husband and financier); Ceret Daramola (Showrunner); as well as so many women and men who have volunteered over the years to make the show run smoothly. My personal assistant, Vicaria Norman is the quintessential assistant. Her expertise gives me space to be creative and to do the work required of me.

Pricing:

• $100 ticket for the LOVE Awards – Feb 7, 2026

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.loveawards.org
• Instagram: @dianneshorte
• Facebook: Dianne Nicholson Shorte
• LinkedIn: @DianneShorte