Betty Stallings-Murray of African and Native American heritage was born in Vernon Hartford CT, raised in New York City, an artist; author children’s motivational speaker and a teacher in Early Education and special Education was a voracious reader as a young child. After high school she pursued her career in fashion and later attended the College of New Resources. She credits her mother and father with her acquisition of special gifts and talents. As the parent of four children, she shared her wisdom, talents and gifts with them and others. As a result her daughter learned to read and write at three years old: her middle son learned capture the essence of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his “I Have a Dream” speech and her youngest gathered his friends to create his own news anchor show “America’s Best Man.” Betty Stallings-Murray and her children became involved in a cultural arts institution in the south Bronx. With Betty’s sewing, designing, and dramatic training she was asked to assist in the creative process of the institute in exchange for scholarships for her children. Through training and discipline, dance, karate and instruments her children experienced their own cultural history along with many, many other children from the community. Betty professionalism in costuming and choreography was soon captured. She became part of the Five Points Cultural Arts Theatre, developing the talents of inner city children and placing them on stage in a three month Broadway production “Spirals of Creation.” Soon afterwards, Betty shared her own talents and gifts with in the NYC school system as an involved parent, assistant teacher and early Childhood/ Special Education Educator. There she experienced young children from West and South African, West Indian and Latino, African American, urban cultures, foster homes, shelters, and various alternative family situations. To grasp these unique young learners, Ms. Murray used her nurturing personality to expose her students to the various cultures that made up the dynamics of the school; to live arts, role playing, paints, crayons, crafts, and other activities. Her pupils improved in their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, and became noticeably kinder to each other. Betty Stallings-Murray wrote “Grandma Buddy’s House” to encourage families to share their wonderful historical culture and experiences. To inspire children to be proud of their existence and know they are our greatest treasures. To give them experiences beyond their environment and to believe no matter what that All Things Are Possible. She is inspired by authors artist Faith Ringgold and Eric Carle. Both artist create beautiful picture books with simplistic images, vivid colors and unique concepts. Their focus is educating the child through experiences, culture and color. Their techniques inspire readers both national and international.

Betty Stallings-Murray is the recipient of an Ezra Jack Keats Foundation Grant Program for Public Libraries, and was chosen to receive the 2007 "Women of Wisdom Award" from the Delta Sigma Theta Bronx Alumnae Chapter.
and numerous other awards for outstanding service to the community and education; the founder of the “Spirit Of Sisterhood;” the creator of the widely traveled exhibition “Come to the Table;” and the author/illustrator of “Grandma Buddy’s House.” She belongs to many distinguished organizations and is a member of Trinity Baptist Church, Bronx, NY.