How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield

Dreena Whitfield
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Hosted by Dreena Whitfield, How I Got Here dives into the stories behind today's most inspiring entrepreneurs, creators, and leaders. Each conversation explores the moments that shaped them, the risks they took, the pivots they made, and the purpose that fuels their next chapter. It's honest, insightful, and deeply human. About your host: Dreena Whitfield-Brown is the Founder and CEO of WhitPR, an integrated strategic communications agency she started from her living room in 2009 with no clients, no contacts, and no mentors. Over the past 15+ years, she's built WhitPR into a team of 10+ specialists working across public relations, social media, crisis communications, and experiential marketing for clients in the nonprofit, corporate, and political sectors, from Senator Cory Booker's press office to the frontlines of cultural movements. Dreena has been recognized as one of PRWeek's "40 Under 40," a PR News Top Woman in PR, an EY Entrepreneur of the Year New Jersey finalist, and was named to Inc.'s 2025 Female Founders 500 List. Host: Dreena Whitfield Executive Producer, Writer & Creative Director: Keena Williams / Struxa AI howigotherewdreenaw.substack.com

  1. From Organizing at 12 to Leading a National Movement | Mary Pat Hector | How I Got Here

    1D AGO

    From Organizing at 12 to Leading a National Movement | Mary Pat Hector | How I Got Here

    Mary Pat Hector started organizing at 12, advised President Obama at 18, and ran for office at 19 — losing by just 22 votes. That loss reshaped her entire path. Today she's CEO of Rise, a national organization fighting for free college and student basic needs across 10+ states, and the founder of Equity for All, a platform helping young people of color in the South gain political power. Key Takeaways: She advised President Obama on criminal justice reform at 18 and has since helped mobilize over 4 million voters through Rise.When a Black woman takes over from a white male founder, the funding dynamics shift overnight.The most impactful skill a young leader can learn is fundraising — without it, you'll always work for someone else.Progressive organizations are facing a post-2024 crisis as foundations pull back out of fear of political retaliation.In this conversation with Dreena Whitfield, Mary Pat opens up about the real cost of being the youngest, the first, and the only in the room. She shares what happened when she stepped into the CEO role after a white male founder — and how fundraising, dynamics, and expectations shifted overnight. She talks about building sisterhood as a leadership survival tool, balancing being a new mom and CEO, and what she's hearing from young people who are losing faith in democracy. This episode covers: growing up in a service-driven household in Atlanta, what it was like in the Oval Office at 18, the emotional toll of running for office as a teenager, founding Equity for All after her election loss, leading a hunger strike at Spelman, her path to leading Rise, navigating progressive fundraising after 2024, the personal sacrifices young leaders make, and the legacy she hopes to leave behind. If you're a young person figuring out how to lead, an organizer navigating burnout, or someone who wants to understand what it actually takes to build civic power — this episode is for you. About Mary Pat Hector: CEO of Rise, Founder of Equity for All. Spelman College and Georgia State University graduate. Rise has mobilized over 4 million voters nationwide. She helped register over 500,000 Georgia voters through Black Youth Vote. Led hunger strikes that gained 75,000+ meals for HBCU students. Youngest board member of Headcount.org. Featured on MSNBC, CNN, NYT, Hulu's 1619 Project, Forbes, and more. Subscribe to How I Got Here for more conversations on purpose, leadership, and reinvention. Host: Dreena Whitfield / WhitPR Executive Producer, Writer & Creative Director: Keena Williams / Struxa (00:00) - Meet Mary Pat Hector: The Activist Who Started Organizing at 12 Years (01:22) - How does growing up in a service-driven household shape your leadership? (02:36) - What makes Atlanta a unique city for Black leaders and organizers? (05:06) - What is it like advising the President of the United States at 18 years old? (08:09) - What happens when you run for office at 19 and lose by 22 votes? (13:10) - How losing an election inspired the founding of Equity for All (16:08) - What does Rise do and how did Mary Pat Hector become CEO? (19:28) - What really happens when a Black woman takes over from a male founder? (21:40) - How does a young CEO fundraise with no prior experience? (24:31) - How are progressive organizations adapting after the 2024 election? (26:59) - Why are young people disillusioned with democracy and what can be done about it? (29:01) - What does it cost to be the youngest, the first, and the only in the room? (32:13) - What do young civic leaders sacrifice in their twenties for the work? (34:23) - How do you balance being a CEO, a new mom, and a wife at the same time? (37:09) - How do you separate your identity from your work when service is all you know? (40:29) - What legacy does Mary Pat Hector want to leave for the next generation of leaders? (44:03) - How did Mary Pat Hector's mother shape her into the leader she is today? (45:27) - Rapid Fire: Organizing playlists, dream career paths, and the quotes that keep her going (48:30) - Why it matters to platform the work of Black women in leadership

    49 min
  2. Aniesia Williams on Power, Discernment, and Rebuilding After Toxic Leadership Spaces

    FEB 4

    Aniesia Williams on Power, Discernment, and Rebuilding After Toxic Leadership Spaces

    Dreena sits down with Aniesia Williams, a brand strategist, venture architect, and ecosystem builder who understands how power actually moves. In this conversation, Aniesia reflects on navigating leadership spaces where high-performing Black women are often brought in to fix broken systems without real authority or protection. She shares what it cost her to speak up, the psychological toll of being pushed out, and the lessons she learned building and exiting a service-based business. Together, Dreena and Aniesia explore integrity, ownership, and what it looks like to build systems that truly protect the people inside them. This episode is a powerful reminder that success without alignment still comes at a price. (00:00) - Introduction: Meeting Aniesia Williams and her work (02:02) - Why titles stop mattering after a certain point (04:39) - Learning how power really works inside big institutions (06:13) - The unspoken rules Black women are expected to follow (08:43) - When speaking up makes you a “cultural problem” (11:11) - The psychological toll of being pushed out (15:35) - Building and exiting a service-based business (18:27) - What no one tells you about acquisitions (23:08) - Why integrity matters more than optics (31:18) - Creating Dream Wealth Camp for growth-stage founders (36:07) - What investors actually look for (41:35) - Being coachable without shrinking yourself (44:18) - Learning to be okay with being the villain (47:16) - Quickfire questions and where to find Aniesia

    50 min
  3. From the Track to the Boardroom: Laila Brock on Leadership, Representation, and Purpose

    JAN 22

    From the Track to the Boardroom: Laila Brock on Leadership, Representation, and Purpose

    Laila Brock joins Dreena Whitfield for a powerful conversation about leadership, representation, and learning who you are beyond the job. From her early days as a college track captain to shaping some of the biggest stages in sports, Laila reflects on what it means to lead in rooms that were never designed for you. She shares lessons from mentors who poured into her, the responsibility of opening doors for others, and the moment she realized success without rest is not sustainable. This is Laila Brock. And this is how she got here. This episode is a thoughtful reflection on identity, boundaries, burnout, and redefining purpose beyond titles. Listen and follow How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield for more stories of purpose, resilience, and the moments that shape who we become. (00:00) - From the Track to the Boardroom: Laila Brock on Leadership, Representation, and Purpose (01:36) - Introduction and Setting the Stage (01:45) - Early Leadership Lessons at Penn State (03:24) - Influential Figures and Personal Growth (05:10) - Challenges and Triumphs in Operations Roles (08:55) - Transition to Business Development (12:00) - Joining the Atlanta Dream (15:23) - Navigating Leadership as a Black Woman (17:50) - Representing the Ancestors and Future Generations (18:46) - The Rise of Women's Sports (20:15) - Reflecting on Career and Personal Identity (23:02) - Advice for Young Women in Sports (28:23) - Legacy and Impact in Sports (29:33) - Quick Fire Questions and Closing Remarks

    31 min
  4. Building LAMIK Beauty: Kim Roxie on Purpose, Perseverance, and Clean Beauty With Soul

    12/17/2025

    Building LAMIK Beauty: Kim Roxie on Purpose, Perseverance, and Clean Beauty With Soul

    How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield Guest: Kim Roxie, Founder of LAMIK Beauty In this episode, Dreena sits down with Kim Roxie, the founder of LAMIK Beauty, to talk about what it means to build with purpose when the path forward is uncertain. Kim shares how opening her first brow and makeup shop with just $500 taught her the importance of perseverance, faith, and learning the business from the inside out. She opens up about navigating foreclosure, living with alopecia, and making the difficult decision to shut down her brick-and-mortar store before rebuilding LAMIK as a clean beauty brand. From Houston to Ulta, Nordstrom, and JCPenney, this conversation reveals the quiet strength behind building something with soul. This is Kim Roxie. And this is how she got here. Episode Chapters (00:00) - Introduction to Kim Roxy and LAMIK Beauty (01:39) - Early Beginnings and High School Days (04:46) - Starting LAMIK Beauty with $500 (07:16) - Challenges and Resilience in Business (17:21) - Pivoting to E-commerce (21:10) - Product Development and Local Manufacturing (24:28) - Brow Duo and Clean Beauty (28:33) - Partnerships with Ulta and Nordstrom (29:56) - Reconnecting with an Old Friend (30:12) - Balancing Business and Education (31:44) - The Power of Connection (33:21) - The Rose Foundation's Impact (37:15) - Personal Growth and Leadership (39:07) - Embracing Individuality in Beauty (44:30) - Future Aspirations and Reflections (50:56) - Empowering Women with Alopecia Listen and follow How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield for more stories of purpose, resilience, and the moments that shape who we become.

    56 min
  5. Pouring Purpose: Aamira Garba and the Story Behind LoveLee Wines

    11/19/2025

    Pouring Purpose: Aamira Garba and the Story Behind LoveLee Wines

    How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield Guest: Aamira Garba, Founder of LoveLee Wines In this episode, Dreena sits down with Aamira Garba, the New Jersey–born founder of LoveLee Wines. They talk about the moment on a New Jersey Transit train that sparked a major life shift, the courage to enter an industry with so few Black women, and the discipline she pours into every bottle. Aamira shares how she blended her first wines without a license, built slowly while raising two daughters, and learned the business from the inside out. From her earliest blends to landing on VinePair’s Top 25 Pinot Noirs in the World, this conversation highlights purpose, persistence, and building a legacy with intention. This is Aamira Garba, and this is how she got here. Episode Chapters(00:00) - Introduction to Aamira Garba and LoveLee Wines (00:30) - The Journey Begins: Discovering Wine (03:06) - Early Challenges and Bootlegging Days (03:43) - Balancing Life and Business (09:47) - Naming the Brand: A Family Affair (11:47) - Building the Brand: Self-Funding and Growth (15:49) - Claiming Space in the Wine Industry (17:52) - Celebrating Success and Overcoming Stereotypes (20:48) - Challenges in the Wine Industry (21:19) - Navigating the Three-Tier System (22:48) - Building Relationships and Sales Skills (24:16) - Finding the Right Vineyard Partner (26:22) - The Wine Making Process (27:31) - Staying Grounded and Inspired (33:03) - Recognition and Self-Acceptance (35:20) - Quickfire Questions and Final Thoughts Listen and follow How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield for more stories of purpose, resilience, and the moments that shape who we become.

    42 min
  6. Nagela Duperval on OU LA, a $3 Million Build, and Faith in the Struggle

    11/05/2025

    Nagela Duperval on OU LA, a $3 Million Build, and Faith in the Struggle

    How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield Guest: Nagela Duperval, Founder of OU LA Restaurant In this episode, Dreena sits down with Nagela Duperval, the Haitian-born entrepreneur behind OU LA — the stunning Caribbean restaurant in Carteret, New Jersey that’s redefining what it means to build something from faith and fire. With no restaurant experience, Nagela spent three years building a $3-million space from the ground up while juggling a full-time job and family. She opens up about betting everything on herself, trusting God through the struggle, and finding her footing in an industry she had to teach herself in real time. From real estate flips to restaurant ownership, from burnout to breakthroughs, this conversation is a story of courage, culture, and conviction — a reminder that even when the path gets hard, purpose always finds a way. This is Nagela Duperval, and this is how she got here. ⏱️ Episode Chapters [00:00] Introduction – Dreena welcomes Nagela Duperval and sets up her journey from real estate to restaurants. [01:26] From Port-au-Prince to New Jersey – Carrying Haitian language, culture, and community into a new life. [03:11] The Birth of OU LA – Partnering with Chef Duke and creating a space that celebrates Caribbean flavors. [05:28] The Opportunity – Finding the perfect location and learning commercial real estate the hard way. [06:47] The Financing Battle – Building a $3-million restaurant without investors or SBA loans. [10:06] Faith in the Struggle – How prayer, persistence, and strangers’ belief kept her going. [12:31] Lessons from Real Estate – Partnership, ownership, and being a Black woman in business. [15:00] The Highs and Lows of Flipping – From first wins to costly mistakes that became lessons. [17:47] Risk and Reward – Selling everything to make the dream real. [18:50] Life Inside OU LA – Managing 30 employees, long hours, and weekly payroll pressure [20:11] Food and Story – Haitian dishes, black rice, and how heritage shows up on the plate. [22:06] The Cost of the Dream – Burnout, balance, and learning to trust new leadership. [24:07] Black Women in Food – Speaking at the summit and finding strength through sisterhood. [26:15] Why She Can’t Quit – Faith, debt, and a promise to finish what she started. [27:21] The Impact Moments – When other Black women walk in and say, “Sis, we’re proud of you.” [28:19] Building Legacy – Hopes for her family, future OU LA locations, and believing it will turn around [29:30] Quick Fire – Red snapper, morning flow, and the song that takes her home. Listen and follow How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield for more stories of purpose, resilience, and the pivots that shape who we become.

    31 min
  7. Tahira Joy Wright on The Cut Life, PR Burnout, and Standing 10 Toes Down in Culture

    10/22/2025

    Tahira Joy Wright on The Cut Life, PR Burnout, and Standing 10 Toes Down in Culture

    How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield Guest: Tahira Joy Wright, Founder of The Cut Life In this episode, Dreena sits down with Tahira Joy Wright, the visionary founder of The Cut Life — the digital beauty community celebrating short hair, self-expression, and the women redefining what it means to show up boldly. From her early days in entertainment PR to building one of the most beloved beauty platforms online, Tahira shares how burnout led to breakthrough — and how a one-week idea grew into a cultural movement rooted in authenticity, community, and faith. This conversation is a story of faith, flow, and finding purpose in the pivot — a reminder that sometimes, the detour is the destination. ⏱️ Episode Chapters [00:00] Introduction – Dreena welcomes Tahira Joy Wright and sets up her journey from PR to purpose. [01:20] The Birth of The Cut Life – How burnout from PR led to an Instagram page that became a movement. [03:30] When Passion Meets Purpose – Realizing The Cut Life was more than a hobby — it was a calling. [06:00] From PR Girl to Founder – Lessons from Atlanta’s entertainment industry that shaped Tahira’s business mindset. [11:00] Making the Leap – Leaving the hustle behind to embrace peace, alignment, and entrepreneurship. [14:00] Community Over Algorithms – Why genuine connection, not metrics, fuels longevity. [20:20] Navigating Partnerships and Authenticity – Redefining what brand alignment really looks like. [23:30] Hair, AI, and Human Touch – Tahira on using tech like ChatGPT and Mailchimp AI while keeping her authentic voice. [27:00] Building a Platform for Black Beauty – Centering Black women, culture, and community unapologetically. [31:20] The New Hype Hair – Carrying the spirit of Hype Hair and Black Hair Sophisticates into the digital era. [38:00] What’s Next for The Cut Life – Media projects, stylist directory relaunch, and expanding into TV and film. [42:00] Lessons, Blessings, and Longevity – The power of patience, saving, and sustainable growth. [47:00] Faith and Flow – Tahira’s mantra for staying grounded and trusting the process. Listen and follow How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield for more stories of purpose, resilience, and the pivots that shape who we become.

    51 min
  8. From Tyler Perry Studios to Target Shelves

    10/08/2025

    From Tyler Perry Studios to Target Shelves

    How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield Guest: Chantel Powell, Founder & CEO of Play Pits In this episode, Dreena sits down with Chantel Powell, founder and CEO of Play Pits, to talk about what it takes to build something from the ground up and keep going when everything falls apart. From styling wardrobes at Tyler Perry Studios to creating one of the most beloved natural deodorant brands in the country, Chantel shares how motherhood sparked her purpose, how faith carried her through loss and a warehouse fire, and how she continues to rise like the phoenix she is. This conversation is a story of resilience, faith, and legacy — a reminder that the hardest seasons often shape the strongest leaders. ⏱️ Episode Chapters [00:00] Introduction – Dreena welcomes Chantel Powell and sets up her journey from film to entrepreneurship.[03:10] The Moment That Sparked Play Pits – Her son’s “funk” leads to a kitchen experiment that changes everything.[06:00] From Kitchen Experiments to a Formula That Worked – Testing, feedback, and finding a natural chemist.[11:45] Laid Off and Launching Play Pits – Turning a layoff into a backyard launch moment.[15:10] First Big Break – Unique Jones’ “Because of Them We Can” feature sends sales soaring.[24:00] The Target Journey – The missed meeting that led to an undeniable retail moment.[35:30] The Warehouse Fire – Losing it all, surrendering, and rebuilding through faith.[46:00] Rising from the Ashes – Chantel’s phoenix moment and what legacy means now.[50:45] What’s Next for Play Pits – New products, family inspiration, and faith leading the way. Listen and follow How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield for more stories of purpose, resilience, and the pivots that shape who we become.

    56 min
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4.9
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

Hosted by Dreena Whitfield, How I Got Here dives into the stories behind today's most inspiring entrepreneurs, creators, and leaders. Each conversation explores the moments that shaped them, the risks they took, the pivots they made, and the purpose that fuels their next chapter. It's honest, insightful, and deeply human. About your host: Dreena Whitfield-Brown is the Founder and CEO of WhitPR, an integrated strategic communications agency she started from her living room in 2009 with no clients, no contacts, and no mentors. Over the past 15+ years, she's built WhitPR into a team of 10+ specialists working across public relations, social media, crisis communications, and experiential marketing for clients in the nonprofit, corporate, and political sectors, from Senator Cory Booker's press office to the frontlines of cultural movements. Dreena has been recognized as one of PRWeek's "40 Under 40," a PR News Top Woman in PR, an EY Entrepreneur of the Year New Jersey finalist, and was named to Inc.'s 2025 Female Founders 500 List. Host: Dreena Whitfield Executive Producer, Writer & Creative Director: Keena Williams / Struxa AI howigotherewdreenaw.substack.com

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