Today we’d like to introduce you to Destiny Modeste.
Destiny, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
“Inspired by the fear of being average.”
This was the beginning of it all — the fear of being just another average Joe (or Jo Anne).
Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, I graduated early from City Polytechnic High School for Architecture, Engineering, and Technology and was awarded the opportunity to receive my Bachelor’s degree from Paul Quinn College on a full ride. As a senior in high school, my love for advertising/marketing was fostered when I was chosen to produce and direct a commercial for Hip Hop legend Lil Wayne, in partnership with Mountain Dew. This opportunity gained national coverage on MTV, FUSE, BET, and the commercial played all over the world. At that moment, I knew I had something different (well, that’s what everyone was telling me).
Let’s fast forward to my time at Paul Quinn College (PQC), where God helped me realize my passion—living a life that matters. This drove my success throughout my college tenure by making a difference not only in my community but in the world. This passion and ability to communicate has led me to become a community activist/influencer, a mentor, Trustee, and servant-leader. While at PQC, I acquired several accolades such as being listed in “Who’s Who in Black Dallas – Student Edition,” the captain of my Duke Immerse team (a partnership with Duke University and Paul Quinn College to improve South Dallas’ food desert issues), helped with the creation of Trinity Environmental Academy with Principle Michael Hooten, and a participant in University of Pennsylvania’s Minority Serving Institute weekend to help diversify Higher Education. Recently, I was selected as DFW’s Most Influential College Student, one of the top 3 HBCU Female Students of the Year, won $10k for PQC in the SXSW HBCU Battle, and admitted to the 2017-18 cohort of the Social Venture Partners Dana Juett Residency.
All of these accolades were products of my passion for living a life that matters. I knew that no matter how successful I was, it would pale in comparison to how significant I was in someone else’s life – whether it be giving back to my Alma Mater or helping provide fresh foods and vegetables to people who never were given a chance to receive it. My mom, God, and my hustle have been the most prominent supporters throughout my journey, and I know with them, my journey has sooo much more in store.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I am young.
I am black.
I am beautiful.
I am strong.
I am intelligent and innovative.
I am resilient.
I am a woman.
All things the world fears, so the journey has been far from smooth, but that’s the beauty of it. Without challenges, I wouldn’t be the person who can adapt and bounce back in the snap of a finger.
My advice to women like me is not to cower when the going gets rough and remember you are the shit. All people face adversities, but the best of them make it through.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
First and foremost, my full-time job is being a servant of God. I would love to be known for that first. Without Him, none of the following would be possible.
My side hustles (haha) consist of being a Digital Strategist, Creative Director/Event Planner, Graphic Designer, Sneaker Connoisseur, and Servant Leader. These are the things that people know me for.
As a digital strategist, I’ve lead and managed several digital accounts for individuals and companies. Some of my clients include; Paul Quinn College (PQC), Michael Irvine’s The Playmakers Academy, The Vision Investment. I have also been employed as a digital strategist at global literary agency, Dupree-Miller & Associates, and currently at the leading marketing agency, The Marketing Arm. I also have a graphic design company called GLO Designs, that specializes in flyer creation, logos, Snapchat filters, etc.
As a Creative Director/Event Planner, I make visions a reality. One of the most significant and most meaningful events I spearheaded was the Voices That Matters: Speaker Series, a partnership with Dupree-Miller & Associates and Paul Quinn College that brought celebrity authors/influencers to the only HBCU in Dallas to speak to students who may have never had that experience. Some of the voices that I helped bring to PQC were Charlamagne Tha God, DeVon Franklin, Keke Palmer, and L.A. Reid. We do this monthly, and it is free and open to the public.
I’ve always had a love for sneakers. Right now, I am partnering with my friend and Editor and Chief of CosignKicks, Toriq Ahmed, on a KICKSDrive throughout the city of Dallas. We are placing donation boxes throughout the city of Dallas at major retailers and giving the donated kicks back to a very special cause. The drive will run throughout the summer and will initiate soon. Follow me, @dopeitsdestiny for more information.
Being a servant leader is what sets me apart from others. Service is what I live by. I am continually trying to give back and be significant in someone else’s life. I have taken service trips to South Africa for youth development and mentorship, I went to Amsterdam to work on race relations, I helped in the founding of a science-focused charter school on PQC’s campus, helped bring fresh food and vegetable grocery stores to neighborhoods like Highland Hills, and created a giveaway for laptops to freshman students at Paul Quinn College.
This is only the beginning.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
BE DISRUPTIVE. You’ve been conditioned not to be disruptive when being disruptive is the key to change. Disruptive movements and people don’t just float on the surface, but they sink in, get to the root, and they don’t conceive any direction as progress. Disruption is transformative leadership.
Now, ask yourself, are you disruptive?
Contact Info:
- Email: destinymodeste@gmail.com
- Instagram: @dopeitsdestiny
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/07091995MD
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/destinymodeste/
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
