How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield

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 b...

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 im...

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...

In this TalkBack, Dreena talks about her experiences with disappointments along her career journey and how she got through, past and over them.  Dreena is transparent about where she still struggles and provides tips how to survive disappointments on the road to success.    Link to full episode: https://pdcn.co/e/www.buzzsprout.com/1560203/9401011-glowing-up-from-fox-news-to-black-love-with-codie-...

In this TalkBack, Dreena talks candidly about the importance of setting boundaries and consistently prioritizing your own self-care, especially if you’re in the public relations industry. What are some little things that you can do to keep you centered and present in your daily life and stay aligned with your mission? Tune in to learn Dreena’s tips and insights! “You’re juggling a lot of projects,...

In this episode of How I Got Here, Dreena welcomes Nsé Ufot, an activist, community organizer, and CEO of The New Georgia Project, a voter support and legal action nonprofit organizationthat’s registering and engaging voters across Georgia. Listen in to gain insight into Nsé’s world and how she has evolved from behavioral researcher at Zoo Atlanta to a CEO handpicked byStacey Abrams.   You’ll lear...

In this episode of How I Got Here, Dreena welcomes Yolanda Williams, CEO and Co-founder of the natural skincare line, Cream Blends, and Owner and Chief Content Officer of DISTINCT Life Creative Agency. Yolanda is killin’ the game as an entrepreneur, mother, fitness influencer, and creative director, so let’s learn how she got here. Ever since she was a little girl, Yolanda has been painting a colo...

In this episode of How I Got Here, Dreena welcomes artist, freedom fighter, New York Times best-selling author, co-founder of Black Lives Matter and founder of Dignity and Power Now, Patrisse Khan-Cullors! Listen in as she divulges what made her become an activist, how she’s dealt with backlash from non-supporters, and what inspired her to further pursue art and writing after years of front-line a...

In this episode of How I Got Here, Dreena welcomes Melissa Chanel, lifestyle blogger, content creator, sneaker connoisseur, and Founder and Creator of Kicks and Fros, a kick community for Black and brown women. On top of all that, she’s also the Head of Global Community & Communications at Cantu. Listen in as Melissa shares about her love of sneakers and the steps she took to establish herself...

In this episode of How I Got Here, Dreena welcomes Eunique Jones Gibson, innovator, creator, culture leader, and founder of Because of Them We Can, Culture Tags, and Culture Brands. Listen in as Eunique sheds light on her journey to becoming a social activist, entrepreneur, and creative powerhouse for good. After leaving the corporate marketing world and experiencing a life-altering car accident,...

In this episode of How I Got Here, Dreena welcomes Codie Elaine, the TV and film producer known for directing Black Love, a docuseries showcasing the beauty of love in black couples. Codie gives insight for aspiring producers and filmmakers into how to create momentum in the film industry and how to get picked up by a production company without giving up creative ownership or direction. She also s...

In this episode of How I Got Here, Dreena welcomes jewel bush, award-winning journalist, communications strategist, and subject matter expert with GirlTrek, the largest public health non-profit for African American women and girls in the United States. Through GirlTrek, jewel is inspiring black women to walk in their neighborhoods for radical self-care and healing.  Pursuing her interests in writi...

In this episode of How I Got Here, Dreena welcomes Taylor Baldwin, a lifestyle photographer based in Philadelphia. Her work has been featured on Essence Magazine and different digital platforms like BET, Refinery29, XOnecole, ASOS, Time magazine, and many others. From switching majors and schools in her junior year of college to starting art school from scratch, Taylor juggled being a student, a m...

In this episode of How I Got Here, Dreena welcomes Jessica Myers, an entrepreneur, real estate developer and investor, and one of the youngest black hotel owners in the hospitality industry. From dreaming of being a TV news anchor to realizing her passion for real estate, Jessica has always wanted to make an impact on as many people as she can and she’s here to tell you how she’s doing it. Jessica...

In this episode of How I Got Here, Dreena welcomes Tanya Sam, star of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Director of Partnerships at TechSquare Labs, a tech startup hub and venture capital fund, and Founder of The Ambition Fund, an investment company focused on funding businesses founded by women and minority entrepreneurs. Tanya peels back her many layers to shed light on her education in genetics a...

In this episode of How I Got Here, Dreena welcomes Gina Charbonnet, an entertainment industry veteran. She’s the founder and owner of GeChar, an entertainment and production agency where she has produced events for ESSENCE, BET, NAACP, National Democratic Committee, Converse, among many others. Listen in as Gina shares her journey in the entertainment industry and especially as the executive produ...

In this episode of How I Got Here, Dreena welcomes Calvin Quallis, Founder and CEO of Scotch Porter, an award-winning male grooming brand that places wellness as a priority for men. Not too long ago, Calvin left a comfortable, yet unfulfilling corporate career to start a small barber shop in his neighborhood, just as his mother had done when he was a kid. Listen in as Calvin shares about the chall...

In this episode of How I Got Here, Dreena welcomes Dr. Chris Pernell, a dynamic physician leader, health and wellness visionary, and social change agent. She’s a charismatic and leading voice in preventative medicine and public health and is currently working as a senior executive in a hospital in New Jersey. Chris is here to talk about her journey and her mission of educating the black and brown...

In this episode of How I Got Here, Dreena welcomes Rhonesha Byng, a publishing boss, Emmy award-winning journalist, speaker, and the Founder and CEO of Her Agenda. Rhonesha and Her Agenda are incredible resources of inspiration, information, and community for millennial women looking to reach their next level of success, both professionally and personally. Rhonesha reflects on her early passion fo...

In this episode of How I Got Here, Dreena welcomes Jovian Zayne, an International Speaker and Certified Leadership and Professional Development Coach with over a decade of experience. Jovian leads the OnPurpose Movement, a firm committed to helping organizations and individuals to “live and work on purpose” through targeted coaching, public speaking and facilitation experiences. Jovian shares the...

In this episode of How I Got Here, Dreena welcomes Dawn Kelly, CEO and Co-Founder of The Nourish Spot Inc., a juice, smoothie, and salad bar that she started with her two children after leaving a 35+ year career in public relations and marketing. Dawn speaks on the importance of building and nurturing meaningful relationships throughout your career, the unforgettable people that influenced her lif...

In this episode of How I Got Here, Dreena welcomes Lola Okanlawon to speak about her journey to becoming a highly sought-after Professional Makeup Artist, from the elevator ride that led to her first celebrity client to the words of wisdom and guidance she has for aspiring makeup artists and people in the beauty industry.  Reflecting on her younger years as class president in high school, Lola onc...