3 Themes from Conversation with Former Obama Social Secretary Deesha Dyer

As part of Multiverse’s Black History Month programming, our community had the privilege of joining a conversation with Deesha Dyer, an award-winning event strategist, community organizer, CEO & Founder, who began her journey as a White House intern and then moved on to becoming the Social Secretary for President and First Lady Barack & Michelle Obama. 

Deesha started our time together by sharing, “I come here with transparency and authenticity. I don’t know how to be any other way.” This turned out to be fully true. While this post is intended to give you the highlights from the hour we all spent together, the reality is that the full conversation was so rich and unique in the quality of storytelling that it’s worth watching in its entirety. 

US Coach & Technical Lead for the Digital Business Accelerator (DBA) Program, Ifeoma Nwoke, moderated the event masterfully. The conversation felt like witnessing a meaningful exchange between two long-time friends. Ifeoma brought a depth of understanding and knowledge about apprentice experiences that weaved beautifully into Deesha’s story of grit and overcoming imposter syndrome. 

Members of our Community can find the full event recording here. 

Who is Deesha Dyer? 

While Deesha is now a successful community organizer, CEO, Founder, event strategist, and so much more, her story didn’t start there. Deesha’s story began in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she attended boarding school because her parents didn’t have the financial means to raise her. Deesha shared candidly about her journey from high school to an uncertain future. She faced numerous rejections from colleges and constantly felt the pressure of negative self-talk as she navigated each stage of her life and career. 

A vivid storyteller, Deesha had each of us at the edge of our seats as she shared the details that led to her securing a White House internship in 2009 while former President Barack Obama was in office. Deesha was one of 120 interns selected from over 10,000 applicants, and one of only 23 Black people and 12 Black women. The internship ultimately led to a full-time job offer that allowed Deesha to rise through the ranks and become the Social Secretary for President and First Lady Barack & Michelle Obama until the conclusion of their time at the White House. 

Since then, Deesha has continued her work as a community organizer. She is the Co-founder and Executive Director of beGirl.world, an organization that empowers teen girls through global education and travel. Additionally, she oversees Black Girl 44, a scholarship fund for young black women seeking internships in Washington, D.C., and the Deesha Dyer Second Chance Scholarship at the Community College of Philadelphia.

There is so much to unpack from Deesha’s story, but three main themes emerged throughout the hour we got to spend with Deesha: 

1) Remind yourself of your value.

In reflecting on what it means to achieve all that she has, Deesha shared, “where I started was a person who didn’t have money or a college degree, but I was still of value…The value is already inside you.” Deesha reminded us all that your value doesn’t come from a piece of paper or from an achievement that the world tells you to have. You are already valuable because of the unique skills you offer and the person that you are. Plus, “when you get out of your own way and you realize how valuable you are, you’ll get addicted, like I am, to seeing how much you can actually accomplish.” 

2) Lead with your strengths. 

One question DBA Coach Ifeoma asked was about the apprehension apprentices can feel when entering a space where there are people with fancy degrees and backgrounds. She asked, “How do you introduce yourself in corporate spaces when your colleagues have attended elite institutions?” 

Deesha’s response is an apt reminder to us all that the narratives we create in our minds can be our worst enemies. “When you walk into a room, you don’t know the background of every person. The first thing we need to do is get rid of the preconceived thoughts in our head that everyone in the room is smarter, more experienced, has more connections, etc. They have just been in the space longer than you.”

Deesha’s advice was to “Watch your thoughts as you go in so that you’re not already setting the room up to make yourself less…Somehow you got in the same room as those people you think are smarter than you. We’re being asked the same questions. I know that I have something to offer that you don’t and you have something to offer that I don’t. It’s an exchange.“ She continued, “When you go into a room, lead with your strengths and lead with your confidence…Walk in like you have something to contribute and it is a privilege for other people to meet you.”

3) Figure out the tools that work for you.

Ifeoma shared that when apprentices are on-program, coaches spend time helping them build a toolbox of skills that will help them throughout their careers. She asked Deesha, “What practices do you suggest apprentices add to their toolbox for dealing with imposter syndrome?” 

Deesha had a handful of suggestions that work for her, but also encouraged us all to find what works for each of us because it might not be the same.

Deesha writes down all of her accomplishments. She said, “Often we humble ourselves…but sometimes humility can lead to a lack of confidence.” She looks back at her list of accomplishments and realizes, “these are not things that happened to me, these are things that I made happen, that I curated. Look how much you've done. Look how many people’s lives have been impacted by all that you’ve done.”

Deesha also keeps track of who she allows into her inner circle. She shared about a friend who consistently brings up the person Deesha was in high school, but fails to see the ways she has grown. Deesha said, “I get rid of or minimize people in my life who want to keep me in the same space that I was.” Not only that, but she makes it a point to bring in voices that are doing the opposite. The friends who cheer for her and whose words make her stand a little taller.

Deesha’s story is an inspiration to us all. Her determination and resilience in the face of adversity serve as a reminder that anything is possible. It was an honor to spend this hour hearing her story and we can’t wait to see what comes next in her journey.

This article has been written by the Multiverse Community Team to celebrate US Black History Month.