Today we’d like to introduce you to Carrington Whigham
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
From a very young age, I knew leadership, speaking, performing, and advocating would always play an essential part in my life. I am the daughter of Mr. Andrew Whigham, III, and Dr. Deardra Hayes-Whigham, from Tampa, Florida, and Baltimore, Maryland, who moved to Dallas in the 80s in pursuit of their careers. They knew very few people in this big city, but boy, did they establish themselves very quickly, providing a carefully crafted VILLAGE for their children.
My father and mother wake me by turning on my lamp and unplugging my night light at 5:45AM. Accustomed to this morning routine, I manage to dress myself in one of my uniform sets my grandmother bought on discount, my Walmart crew socks, and glow-in-the-dark Sketchers sneakers my parents bought me for my recent third birthday. If I hurry enough, I make it to the family car in time to resume my deep sleep for the long car ride. My family lives across town from my parents’ jobs, my brother’s school, and my preschool. First stop, 6:15, we drop my father off at the train station after he wishes me to behave at daycare and for my older brother to try his hardest at preschool. After doing so, he looks at his watch in preparation for the DART train to arrive at the station, and he backs away from the car. In a flash, I’m fast asleep again once the family car has pulled out of the parking lot, the second stop seeming to appear as soon as I close my eyes. Little did I know that I would repeat this schedule for the next sixteen years and that this schedule would instill my discipline and my acceptance of life as it came to me.
Between the schools I have attended, two aspects of my life have remained constant lessons from my parents, despite my changing of friends, school locations, and increasing independence. Their overall messages to me, to stay disciplined and speak up for myself, compel me to a standard of constant self-control. These values, I believe, are always relevant.
Discipline has always benefited me. This lesson helped me distinguish myself throughout my educational and artistic career. My decision to stay disciplined positioned me to develop relationships with amazing people who came from similar pressures for success. Early in my education, my relative success was closely related to my ability to be obedient yet RADICALLY unique.
I have always been politically active, with no choice. My parents made it very clear what is expected, and having the courage to speak up for ourselves was always at the top of our list. If you can’t tell, my family is my anchor, and we encourage each other to succeed.
My journey of service started in elementary school when I first noticed things that didn’t sit right with me. I remember thinking, ‘Why can’t we do better?’ That’s when I decided to run for class president, convinced I could make a change. But after failing to receive the role, I knew I had to sit in the rooms to make an impact.
My start on a larger platform:
As a third-generation rattler, I completed my undergraduate degree at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), The #1 Historically Black College and University in the nation. There, I was very involved in Student Government. Following my dad, who was also the Student body president of FAMU, 35 years later, I succeeded in calling myself madam president as the 70th Student Body president and University trustee. My interest in this area began my first year when I was elected as a Senator. In my junior year, I was elected as student body vice president, and this race changed my life. I thought Covid 19 was the end of all I knew, but the stillness aided my mission. I was able to get big-name celebrities like Keke Palmer and Dwyane Wade to participate in our campus election as endorsements for my campaign, but I also was able to host Instagram lives with them about the importance of voting in the national election, as 2020 was a big year.
The pandemic was very sad. Watching everyone lose someone was not easy, but I knew it was my time to step up. At just 20 years old, I participated in Dallas’ first Covid-19 Prevalence Study to recruit minorities to get tested. From here, my work with UT Southwestern Academic and my illustrious HBCU supporting and applying my work took me to the white house. I participated in a National COVID Roundtable with the Second Gentlemen of the United States, Doug Emhoff, talking about the importance of college students nationwide getting vaccinated.
As an undergraduate student at FAMU, I was highly involved in both on-campus and off-campus organizations. I was recognized as an AT&T Rising Future Maker, State Senator Royce West Leadership Fellow, a Continental Societies Scholar, and a FAMU TV 20 news producer. While at FAMU, I participated in many civic activities that encouraged the student body to become more active in the political sphere. I also served as an HBCU chair for the Biden-Harris campaign and collaborated with many celebrities to educate my generation on the importance of voting. I interned with well-known companies such as AT&T, Paramount, CBS Sports, CNN, ESPN, UT Southwestern Academic Medical Center, and The Athena Advisors Global Consulting Firm. However, my most memorable internship was with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee’s office, where she had the privilege of working in the White House and meeting President Biden and Vice President Harris.
Because of God, my bold HBCU career, and my village, I graduated from my dual degree master’s program, studying at The London School of Economics in London, England, and The University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California. In London, my focus was digital racialization and government; in LA, my focus was marketing and communication management. At USC, I started my talk show with the Annenberg School of Communication called “Pretty Political,” an election countdown series. At the London School of Economics, I am the diversity and inclusion representative for the Global Communication and Digital Media Department.
I have to admit, the little pieces to my puzzle of life have made an amazing portfolio of great civic involvement. I now serve as a Battleground State Deputy Digital Director of Engagement for the Kamala Harris and Tim Walz campaign.
At one point, I believed the pandemic had robbed me of the experiences that shaped my journey. But in hindsight, it didn’t ruin them—it refined them and amplified my platform. It was my discipline and grit that kept me active and dedicated to serving others, even when the world stood still. The challenges only deepened my commitment to leadership, showing me that true growth happens when we persevere through adversity. This journey, from my early days of wanting to make a difference to overcoming obstacles I never imagined, has brought me to where I am today—a stronger, more resilient leader ready to serve with even greater purpose.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The path has been full of challenges, especially balancing the expectations placed on me from a young age with the realities of life. Growing up, I had to navigate the pressure of excelling academically and being a standout in my community, all while maintaining the discipline my parents instilled in me.
Attending an HBCU made me unstoppable. There were no pressures for me to “succeeded as a black girl,” only to succeed as as a servant leader. A space I craved all my life, but did not know it. The pandemic was a turning point—everything I knew was put on hold, and I had to adapt quickly. Leading through such an unprecedented crisis meant facing a lot of uncertainty and doubt. My campaign for student body president during the pandemic was one of the toughest battles; not only was I dealing with the stress of a competitive election, but I also had to find innovative ways to engage students remotely. There were moments of exhaustion, fear, and even questioning my own capabilities.
But each struggle taught me resilience and reinforced my commitment to my goals. The challenges tested my resolve, but they also sharpened my leadership skills and deepened my passion for service. Looking back, those tough moments were the crucible that shaped me into the leader I am today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Global Media Strategist. My work is deeply rooted in leadership, advocacy, and digital engagement, with a focus on creating campaigns that not only inform but also inspire action. I specialize in amplifying diverse voices and engaging underrepresented communities, whether through my role in national campaigns or through my educational consulting firm, Global Toast, which I co-founded with my mother. At Global Toast, we are dedicated to helping students and professionals reach their full potential by providing tailored guidance and support.
I also was granted the privilege to work at one of the greatest entertainment agencies in LA, Award winning MOCEAN LA, where i worked with brands and entertainment entities such as Netflix, Hulu, Warner Brothers, Prime Video, Universal Studios, and more. I add this to say, my mission is to keep climbing in a sense where, we absolutely do not have to stay limited, and have the right to experience every passion we have.
I’m most proud of the impact I’ve made in bringing people together through digital initiatives. My voter education and public health outreach efforts, which culminated in my participation in a National COVID Roundtable at the White House, are among my most rewarding accomplishments.
What sets me apart is my flyness. My mission is to make politics fun, cute, and approachable! My generation is changing the “traditional” political look, and my goal is to remain at the forefront and be the person people come to for stimulating conversations and questions.
My friend once told me, ” Who do you know that’s in the United Kingdom talking about HBCU’s and the uncertain political sphere in spaces like that?!” this absolutely made my week.
Whether I’m organizing a grassroots campaign, working on a national stage, or empowering others through Global Toast, I bring a unique blend of tenacity, creativity, and a deep understanding of the communities I serve. My work is not just about achieving goals; it’s about building a legacy of service and empowering others to succeed.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The importance of community, adaptability is key, service above self, and the importance of amplifying diverse voices. It’s also been such a privilege to travel the world, and to expand my perspective.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carringtonwhigham/
