How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield

Welcome to How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield. In today's episode, we explore the journey of Fatou Barry, founder of the PR Girl Manifesto and co-founder of Hold the Press. Barry's mission is to create a safe space for communications professionals, especially young black women struggling with staying in the PR industry. She believes in the importance of representation and diversity in the field, and her advocacy group, Hold the Press, is committed to improving just that.

Barry's story is about perseverance and finding her happy medium in the communications department. Working in the communication space while an undergrad, Barry quickly learned the value of working independently and being an all-hands-on-deck team player. This eventually led to her founding the PR Girl Manifesto, which has grown to over 40,000 followers.

If you want to join a community of communications professionals, look no further than the PR Girl Manifesto's website.

So tune in, listen to Barry's inspiring journey, and learn the importance of representation, diversity, and advocacy in the PR industry.

- Fatou Barry: Founder of PR Girl Manifesto and Hold the Press

- High school dream of fashion PR

- Found a happy medium in communications

- First job at a French-owned denim brand

- PR Girl Manifesto launched in 2014

- Nonprofit creates safe space for comms professionals

- Hold the Press advocates for diversity in the PR industry

- Joy in influencing change

- Community front and center for growth

- Encourage flexibility and exploration in the industry

- Find and follow at PR Girl Manifesto website

Introduction [00:00:40] Praise for Speaker 1 [00:00:56] Importance of representation [00:01:00] Gaining confidence as a communication specialist [00:09:29] Unique aspect of Whip PR [00:09:33] Small team and transition to a nonprofit [00:27:00] Black PR professionals jumping through hoops [00:33:31] Using black PR professionals to get black business [00:33:55] Passion for supporting the next generation [00:36:17] Importance of personal and professional development and relatable content [00:39:08]

Welcome to the latest episode of "How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield," where we delve deep into the inspiring stories of individuals who have achieved remarkable success in their respective fields. In this captivating installment, we explore the fascinating journey of none other than Rasheeda Gray, an extraordinary entrepreneur and interior design maven.

In this episode, Rasheeda sits down with Dreena to discuss her path to becoming an entrepreneur and the unexpected twists and turns along the way.

From high school aspirations in the creative business world to a successful corporate career, Rasheeda shares her personal journey of self-discovery and finding her true passion. Tune in as she opens up about the influences that shaped her career choices, including her aunt's work in a corporate environment, a character on a TV show, and a communications course in high school.

Rasheeda takes us through her transition from the insurance industry to interior design, showcasing the importance of embracing different experiences and constantly evolving. She shares her fears, doubts, and the financial preparations she made before taking the leap into entrepreneurship.

Join us as we delve into the rollercoaster nature of entrepreneurship and the bravery it takes to pursue your dreams. We'll also explore the day-to-day life of an interior designer, the importance of building a portfolio, and tips for designing your own home on a budget.

Don't miss out on this witty, inspiring, and relatable episode featuring the incredible journey of Rasheeda and her passion for interior design. Get ready to be motivated and empowered to chase your own dreams, no matter where life takes you. Tune in now and be inspired!

- Rasheeda's background and career path

- Early interests and experiences

- Transitioning into interior design

- Leaving a corporate job to start own business

- Challenges and doubts of entrepreneurship

- Growth of Gray Space Interiors and real estate development

- Daily routine as an interior designer

- Advice for entering the design industry

- Importance of planning and measurement in design

- Believing in oneself and building relationships

- Exciting updates and upcoming projects

Notable Quotes

"You are crafting your career right now, even as a high school student. You just never know what your experiences will lead you to." - Rasheeda

Keywords

Keywords: high school, 23 years ago, creative, business world, college, marketing, advertising, entrepreneur, curating, creating, painting, artist, interior design, space planning, sketching, apartment, white box, corporate job, risk taker, partner, health insurance, savings, liquid cash

Episode Outline

Rasheeda will be XYZ in ten years. [00:00:36] Trying different careers. [00:09:17] Knowing when to launch Gray Space interiors. [00:12:03] Planning the transition from corporate job to entrepreneurship. [00:12:38] Balancing purpose, passion, and stress. [00:15:24] Similarities between Rasheeda and Dreena. [00:15:56] Three tips for designing a home on a budget. [00:26:19] Goldman Sachs $10,000 small business program. [00:32:58]

Connect with Rasheeda on....

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grayspaceinteriors/

Website: https://grayspaceinteriors.com/

Join Dreena Whitfield in an engaging interview with Shanae Ingleton Smith, a trailblazing media entrepreneur. Shanae shares her journey from dreaming big in Calgary to starting her own agency in Toronto. She turned her blog into a booming business, mastering marketing, advertising, and social media. After maternity leave, she fearlessly launched her own company, Kensington Gray. Get inspired by Shanae's finance-to-success story and her captivating insights on entrepreneurship. Tune in now!

Notable Quotes

- "I was always very intentional, and I believed I would always envision myself and manifest things, and I always wanted bigger and better for myself." Shannae Ingleton-Smith

Keywords

Keywords: Shanae Ingleton Smith, trailblazing, creator, strategist, multi-hyphen, entrepreneur, media space, Calgary, marketing, PR, CEO, success, influencer, followers, agency, manage, deals, opportunities, Gray Effect, talent.

Episode Outline

Growing up with big aspirations [00:01:16] Planning her exit strategy [00:07:08] Discovering the potential of being an influencer [00:08:33] Starting the agency by chance [00:09:11] Dreaming big with her husband [00:10:57] The benefits of signing with her agency [00:23:56] Proudly talking about the agency's success [00:24:13] Measuring the success of a campaign [00:30:20]

Connect with Shannae on…

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/torontoshay/?hl=en 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannaeingleton/ 

Kensington Grey: https://www.kensingtongrey.co/ 

We’re kicking off season three of How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield with Trina Small, founder, and CEO of Supermom Culture.

Trina dreamed up the idea for Supermom Culture when clothing brands didn’t speak to moms of all kinds — single, divorced, of all ages and abilities. So her brand celebrates the moms who get it all done, even when sh*t hits the fan.

When she got a call from Good Morning America to appear on the show and sell 10,000 units, she was still producing each shirt from the guest bedroom in her house. The pandemic dried up the t-shirt supply chain, and she’d never scaled her business to that production level. Still, Trina knew she was going to figure it out. 

Listen as Trina tells us how her previous career path helped her navigate her apparel business, why social media has been key to the success of Supermom Culture, and how the community of Supermoms has been key to bringing the brand to the next level.

Connect with Trina on…

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heytrinasmall

Follow Supermom Culture on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/supermomculture/?hl=en 

Get your Supermom on: https://supermomculture.com/ 

About the Host:

Dreena Whitfield has a proven ability to create tangible outcomes that help clients exceed expectations. Her diverse career has led her to spearhead the communications and marketing efforts for leaders in the nonprofit, corporate, and political sectors and small businesses internationally.

With more than a decade of experience, Dreena and the WhitPR team have a proven ability to spot opportunities for our clients to grow their brand recognition in saturated markets that align with their overall objectives. The Huffington Post named Dreena as one of their “Top 25 African American Millennials in PR to Watch.”

Follow Dreena, WhitPR, and the show on all the socials:

@dreenawhitpr, @whitpr & @howigothere_

Join The WhitPR Collective: www.whitprcollective.com

In this episode of How I Got Here, Dreena welcomes Shelby Larkin-Reid, an Emmy-nominated television producer and entertainment executive with over 20 years of production experience in non-scripted content. Shelby is also the Director of Global Partnership Development at SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park.  

Starting as a high school intern at her local CBS affiliate in Nashville, TN, Shelby grew to become an associate producer by the age of 23. After realizing that majoring and working in economics wasn’t the path for her, she was driven to revisit her passion of television production. Listen in as she tells the story of how she became the confident, powerful, Black female producer she is today while sharing expert advice for those of you who want to follow a similar career path in entertainment.

“It’s so important to know… what sort of environment you thrive in. If you don’t thrive in that type of environment, it’s definitely not the place for you.”-  Shelby Larkin-Reid

You’ll hear about the impacts going to Spelman College in Atlanta had on Shelby’s career trajectory and how she dealt with her family’s disapproval of her career choice, as well as how branded content and brand partnerships are developed. Plus, she describes what a day in her life looks like as the Director of SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park!

 “When you start and you go with the passion, your career will grow exponentially.”-  Shelby Larkin-Reid

Connect with Shelby:

Connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelbylarkinreid 

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamshelbyrenee 

Resources Mentioned:

SoFi Stadium: https://www.sofistadium.com 

About the Host:

Dreena Whitfield has a proven ability to create tangible outcomes that helps clients exceed expectations. Her diverse career has led her to spearhead the communications and marketing efforts for leaders in the nonprofit, corporate and political sectors, as well as small businesses internationally.

With more than a decade of experience, Dreena and the WhitPR team have a proven ability to spot opportunities for our clients to grow their brand recognition in saturated markets that are in alignment with their overall objectives.

The Huffington Post listed Dreena as one of their “Top 25 African American Millennials in PR to Watch.”

Follow Dreena & WhitPR on all the socials:

@Dreenawhitpr & @whitpr

Join The WhitPR Collective: www.whitprcollective.com

In this episode of How I Got Here, Dreena welcomes Shelby Larkin-Reid, an Emmy-nominated television producer and entertainment executive with over 20 years of production experience in non-scripted content. Shelby is also the Director of Global Partnership Development at SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park.  

Starting as a high school intern at her local CBS affiliate in Nashville, TN, Shelby grew to become an associate producer by the age of 23. After realizing that majoring and working in economics wasn’t the path for her, she was driven to revisit her passion of television production. Listen in as she tells the story of how she became the confident, powerful, Black female producer she is today while sharing expert advice for those of you who want to follow a similar career path in entertainment.

“It’s so important to know… what sort of environment you thrive in. If you don’t thrive in that type of environment, it’s definitely not the place for you.”-  Shelby Larkin-Reid

You’ll hear about the impacts going to Spelman College in Atlanta had on Shelby’s career trajectory and how she dealt with her family’s disapproval of her career choice, as well as how branded content and brand partnerships are developed. Plus, she describes what a day in her life looks like as the Director of SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park!

 “When you start and you go with the passion, your career will grow exponentially.”-  Shelby Larkin-Reid

Connect with Shelby:

Connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelbylarkinreid 

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamshelbyrenee 

Resources Mentioned:

SoFi Stadium: https://www.sofistadium.com 

About the Host:

Dreena Whitfield has a proven ability to create tangible outcomes that helps clients exceed expectations. Her diverse career has led her to spearhead the communications and marketing efforts for leaders in the nonprofit, corporate and political sectors, as well as small businesses internationally.

With more than a decade of experience, Dreena and the WhitPR team have a proven ability to spot opportunities for our clients to grow their brand recognition in saturated markets that are in alignment with their overall objectives.

The Huffington Post listed Dreena as one of their “Top 25 African American Millennials in PR to Watch.”

Follow Dreena & WhitPR on all the socials:

@Dreenawhitpr & @whitpr

Join The WhitPR Collective: www.whitprcollective.com

Have you ever thought of buying a one way ticket to follow your dreams? Just like today’s guest, that could be the move that launches your career to new heights! In this episode of How I Got Here, Dreena welcomes Sandra Lajoie, the Vice President of Communications at NBC, Bravo, and Oxygen. If you love reality TV shows, Sandra is most likely the powerhouse behind your all-time favorites. 

As an immigrant from Port Au Prince, Haiti, who grew up in New York and Massachusetts, Sandra sheds light on the impacts of the devastating accident that left her blind in one eye and caused her family to immigrate to the US. She talks about what The American Dream means to her and her family, the challenges she went through as a young girl, and how that led to her building a successful career in communications and media relations.

“Where I started is definitely not where I ended. I think that’s a lesson in life in itself because it is okay pivot, it is okay to change directions, but you have to listen to your spirit and know what’s right for you and what isn’t.”-  Sandra Lajoie

You’ll gain insight into Sandra’s experience as a temp worker, how she got promoted from executive assistant to publicist at Warner Bros., and her top recommendations for people who want to break into the communications industry (+ tips for growing and learning FAST!).

Plus… What does a day in the life of Sandra Lajoie, the VP of Communications, look like? How many fires did she have to put out while working with The Real Housewives? What role does social media play in a strong PR strategy? Tune in to find out!

“If you’re going to go after your dreams, don’t go in with a Plan B, go in with a Plan A and stick to the Plan A.”-  Sandra Lajoie

Connect with Sandra:

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lajoiesandra 

Connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-lajoie-9b429214 

About the Host:

Dreena Whitfield has a proven ability to create tangible outcomes that helps clients exceed expectations. Her diverse career has led her to spearhead the communications and marketing efforts for leaders in the nonprofit, corporate and political sectors, as well as small businesses internationally.

With more than a decade of experience, Dreena and the WhitPR team have a proven ability to spot opportunities for our clients to grow their brand recognition in saturated markets that are in alignment with their overall objectives.

The Huffington Post listed Dreena as one of their “Top 25 African American Millennials in PR to Watch.”

Follow Dreena & WhitPR on all the socials:

@Dreenawhitpr & @whitpr

Join The WhitPR Collective: www.whitprcollective.com

Have you ever thought of buying a one way ticket to follow your dreams? Just like today’s guest, that could be the move that launches your career to new heights! In this episode of How I Got Here, Dreena welcomes Sandra Lajoie, the Vice President of Communications at NBC, Bravo, and Oxygen. If you love reality TV shows, Sandra is most likely the powerhouse behind your all-time favorites. 

As an immigrant from Port Au Prince, Haiti, who grew up in New York and Massachusetts, Sandra sheds light on the impacts of the devastating accident that left her blind in one eye and caused her family to immigrate to the US. She talks about what The American Dream means to her and her family, the challenges she went through as a young girl, and how that led to her building a successful career in communications and media relations.

“Where I started is definitely not where I ended. I think that’s a lesson in life in itself because it is okay pivot, it is okay to change directions, but you have to listen to your spirit and know what’s right for you and what isn’t.”-  Sandra Lajoie

You’ll gain insight into Sandra’s experience as a temp worker, how she got promoted from executive assistant to publicist at Warner Bros., and her top recommendations for people who want to break into the communications industry (+ tips for growing and learning FAST!).

Plus… What does a day in the life of Sandra Lajoie, the VP of Communications, look like? How many fires did she have to put out while working with The Real Housewives? What role does social media play in a strong PR strategy? Tune in to find out!

“If you’re going to go after your dreams, don’t go in with a Plan B, go in with a Plan A and stick to the Plan A.”-  Sandra Lajoie

Connect with Sandra:

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lajoiesandra 

Connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-lajoie-9b429214 

About the Host:

Dreena Whitfield has a proven ability to create tangible outcomes that helps clients exceed expectations. Her diverse career has led her to spearhead the communications and marketing efforts for leaders in the nonprofit, corporate and political sectors, as well as small businesses internationally.

With more than a decade of experience, Dreena and the WhitPR team have a proven ability to spot opportunities for our clients to grow their brand recognition in saturated markets that are in alignment with their overall objectives.

The Huffington Post listed Dreena as one of their “Top 25 African American Millennials in PR to Watch.”

Follow Dreena & WhitPR on all the socials:

@Dreenawhitpr & @whitpr

Join The WhitPR Collective: www.whitprcollective.com

What is it like to work alongside President Obama in The White House, you ask? Tune in to find out! In this episode of How I Got Here, Dreena welcomes Stephanie L. Young, a Social Impact Strategist and Executive Director of When We All Vote, a non-partisan voting initiative created by Michelle Obama. Stephanie is on a mission is to change the culture of voting and to increase participation in each and every election to close the race and age gaps among voters. 

From The White House to NBC Universal to BET Networks, Stephanie has succeeded in various communications roles for the past 12 years. Listen in a she sheds light on the most pivotal moments in her career, how she started working on political campaigns, what it’s been like to be a Black woman in politics.

“You can be a 20-something year old person and go work on a campaign. They are consistently looking for good talent, you just gotta know somebody... I just thought I didn’t have any experience but that’s what campaigns love, they love people with no experience to come on and do a lot of work.”-  Stephanie Young

You’ll gain insight into Stephanie’s experience working for the Obama Administration, how she maintains a work/life balance in her political communications career, and what empowers and fuels her to continue building her career despite the challenges of this field. She emphasizes the importance of taking risks in your career, trusting yourself, and diversifying your work experience. Plus, Stephanie shares exciting details on the upcoming Culture of Democracy Summit in June!

Connect with Stephanie & When We All Vote:

Visit her website: www.stephlyoung.com

Follow her on Instagram: www.instagram.com/slynnyoung 

Follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/stephlyoung 

Connect with her on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/slynnyoung 

Visit When We All Vote’s website: www.whenweallvote.org 

Follow When We All Vote on Instagram: www.instagram.com/whenweallvote

Follow When We All Vote on Twitter: www.twitter.com/whenweallvote 

Connect with When We All Vote on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenWeAllVote 

Resources Mentioned:

Rock the Vote: www.rockthevote.org

Learn more about Couch Party: https://bit.ly/39rinvl 

Join The Culture of Democracy Summit (June 10-13, 2022): https://secure.everyaction.com/tkNJo3vpnEiKhR58s69N6Q2 

About the Host:

Dreena Whitfield has a proven ability to create tangible outcomes that helps clients exceed expectations. Her diverse career has led her to spearhead the communications and marketing efforts for leaders in the nonprofit, corporate and political sectors, as well as small businesses internationally.

With more than a decade of experience, Dreena and the WhitPR team have a proven ability to spot opportunities for our clients to grow their brand recognition in saturated markets that are in alignment with their overall objectives.

The Huffington Post listed Dreena as one of their “Top 25 African American Millennials in PR to Watch.”

Follow Dreena & WhitPR on all the socials:

@Dreenawhitpr & @whitpr

Join The WhitPR Collective: www.whitprcollective.com

What is it like to work alongside President Obama in The White House, you ask? Tune in to find out! In this episode of How I Got Here, Dreena welcomes Stephanie L. Young, a Social Impact Strategist and Executive Director of When We All Vote, a non-partisan voting initiative created by Michelle Obama. Stephanie is on a mission is to change the culture of voting and to increase participation in each and every election to close the race and age gaps among voters. 

From The White House to NBC Universal to BET Networks, Stephanie has succeeded in various communications roles for the past 12 years. Listen in a she sheds light on the most pivotal moments in her career, how she started working on political campaigns, what it’s been like to be a Black woman in politics.

“You can be a 20-something year old person and go work on a campaign. They are consistently looking for good talent, you just gotta know somebody... I just thought I didn’t have any experience but that’s what campaigns love, they love people with no experience to come on and do a lot of work.”-  Stephanie Young

You’ll gain insight into Stephanie’s experience working for the Obama Administration, how she maintains a work/life balance in her political communications career, and what empowers and fuels her to continue building her career despite the challenges of this field. She emphasizes the importance of taking risks in your career, trusting yourself, and diversifying your work experience. Plus, Stephanie shares exciting details on the upcoming Culture of Democracy Summit in June!

Connect with Stephanie & When We All Vote:

Visit her website: www.stephlyoung.com

Follow her on Instagram: www.instagram.com/slynnyoung 

Follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/stephlyoung 

Connect with her on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/slynnyoung 

Visit When We All Vote’s website: www.whenweallvote.org 

Follow When We All Vote on Instagram: www.instagram.com/whenweallvote

Follow When We All Vote on Twitter: www.twitter.com/whenweallvote 

Connect with When We All Vote on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhenWeAllVote 

Resources Mentioned:

Rock the Vote: www.rockthevote.org

Learn more about Couch Party: https://bit.ly/39rinvl 

Join The Culture of Democracy Summit (June 10-13, 2022): https://secure.everyaction.com/tkNJo3vpnEiKhR58s69N6Q2 

About the Host:

Dreena Whitfield has a proven ability to create tangible outcomes that helps clients exceed expectations. Her diverse career has led her to spearhead the communications and marketing efforts for leaders in the nonprofit, corporate and political sectors, as well as small businesses internationally.

With more than a decade of experience, Dreena and the WhitPR team have a proven ability to spot opportunities for our clients to grow their brand recognition in saturated markets that are in alignment with their overall objectives.

The Huffington Post listed Dreena as one of their “Top 25 African American Millennials in PR to Watch.”

Follow Dreena & WhitPR on all the socials:

@Dreenawhitpr & @whitpr

Join The WhitPR Collective: www.whitprcollective.com