Meet Linda Ammons | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Linda Ammons and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Linda, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking

Risk has been my middle name. I come from a long line of female risk -takers. My great-grandmother Mary Ann Robinson walked off a sharecropping plantation because she was being cheated. My grandmother, Emma Golson and her daughter, my mother Mary Louise McCoy left the south for the north during the great migration of the 40’s and 50’s. Late in life my mother decided to open and run a successful business. These women taught me that anything is possible, and failure is just about eliminating something not meant for you. At the same time, No was and is not an option in the pursuit of a well devised and executed plan. A few prayers never hurt either.

Nothing happens without taking a risk! Risky behavior does not have to mean foolish, thoughtless action. If you want it, prepare and go for it.


Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am currently a musician, photographer, lecturer, and filmmaker. I write primarily but not exclusively liturgical music, and I have been a photographer for over 40 years. My work can be found in photographic anthologies, magazines, books, and in US Embassy collections around the world. I produced my first feature film just a few months ago. Some things are easier to learn to do than others. Discipline, patience, curiosity, timing, listening, being willing to take critique, following your muse and spirit and experimentation have been part of my growth process. I spent years in the legal area and retired as the dean of 2 law schools at the same time. My transition has been wonderful. . In the legal arena, I worked for the freedom of unjustly incarcerated battered women, at the highest level of government, and my recommendations helped lawmakers create laws to prevent the molestation of children after a very high profile case that I investigated in Delaware. Before becoming a lawyer, I was a TV anchor and producer of a talk show..

I have usually been the first and/or only African-American or female or both in all of my previous professional roles, which means I had to get the ole boys to understand that I was there to stay. 

As for my brand, look for innovation and creativity. Nothing bores me more than recycling the usual.


If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Vegas.  Got to go to the Bellagio conservatory. It is usually jaw-dropping amazing. Of course we would stay until the famous fountains do their dance.  After the glitz and glamour, we would head to my favorite places, the outdoors. Perhaps we would start with the Seven Magic Mountains sculptures just outside of the city limits.
Day 3 – we would go to the Red rock canyon which is in my back yard, and just marvel at the spectacular red mount formations, then lunch at my favorite Lebanese restaurant,.
Day4- we head to Boulder Nevada, just 40 minutes away and visit Hoover Dam. Before returning to Vegas, a visit to the Antique shops in Boulder or if the timing is right, the Boulder Arts festival or Dam film sorts festival might end the day.
Day 5- We go in the opposite direction and head to Mt. Charleston, where it is always 10- 25 degrees cooler, scenery alpine, and if snow, perhaps a little skiing.
Day 6- my favorite desert- Valley of Fire, one hour away. A great place to see fabulous rock formations, petroglyphs, fantastic colors and to do your primal scream.
Day 7- Spa day, all day, and a great dinner at one of any number of great restaurants.


The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

The Late Mary Louise McCoy
Ifeoma Kwesi
Wanda Porter
Beverly Vaughn
Kerri Williams
Linda Lawrence
Mark Ammons
David Ammons
Leslie Hayashi

Other: Llammons@widener.edu