Deborah Santana

Deborah Sara Santana (née King, born January 30, 1951) is a peace and social justice activist for women and people of color, business manager and author. She is the former wife of musician Carlos Santana. Early life and education Santana is the daughter of the blues musician Saunders King and Jo Frances King (née Willis). Santana graduated from the California Institute of Integral Studies and holds a Master of Arts in Philosophy and Religion with a Concentration in Women's Spirituality. Career From 1994 to 2007, Santana was vice-president and COO of Santana Management, which involved working in management of her husband's band. Philanthropy As a philanthropist, Santana founded Do a Little, a non-profit which seeks to empower children and underprivileged women, in 2008. Santana has also served as a trustee for ANSA (Artists for a New South Africa) and the Smithsonian Institution. She is on the board of directors of the Violence Intervention program in Los Angeles and is a First Century Leader of the Smithsonian American Women's History Initiative, as well as a member of the Advisory Committee. Santana is also a founding donor of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.