Meet Donnisha Davis

We recently connected with Donnisha Davis and have shared our conversation below.

Donnisha, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

Being the only one in the room has been a pattern throughout my life. I have felt it in classrooms, leadership meetings, federal agencies, and now as the founder of a tech company. I am a Black woman from Southeast Washington, DC, raised in public schools and trained in engineering before transitioning into design. I know what it feels like to walk into a room and wonder if people see you clearly or only see what they expect.

In the beginning, it was unsettling. I would question if I truly belonged, even when I had done all the work and more. But I realized early on that dimming my light to make others comfortable was not an option. I owed it to the younger version of myself who was always driven, curious, and creative to take up space with confidence.

I focused on showing up with excellence. Whether it was designing for impact, leading a team, or building a product, I let my work do the talking. Then I built platforms to uplift others. I mentor. I support scholarships. I launched FlixMate™ to create space for people who want to be seen and heard in the stories they share and watch.

What makes me effective is being authentic and prepared. I do not change who I am to fit a room. I bring strategy, intention, and a grounded sense of purpose. I speak up when it matters and I create room for voices that are often overlooked.

Now, I walk into those rooms with pride. I carry my lived experiences, my community, and a strong belief that my presence has power. I am the example I once needed. And I make sure that the door stays open behind me.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am Donnisha Beverly Davis, founder and CEO of FlixMate™, an entertainment discovery app designed to help people discover, share, and track the movies and shows they love. At its core, FlixMate is about community. It is about those everyday moments when someone says, “You have to watch this,” and finally having a space to remember, revisit, and share those recommendations with intention.

FlixMate was born from a simple truth. We are always swapping suggestions, but we rarely have a way to save them in context. I wanted to build something that brings together technology and real-life storytelling, where people — not algorithms — guide what we watch next. What makes this journey exciting is that we are creating it with the community from the very beginning. Our Founding Influencers are shaping the app alongside us and helping build a platform that reflects real connection.

Beyond FlixMate, I have spent over twenty years as a design leader in federal public service. My work has always centered on making ideas more accessible, more human, and more meaningful through design. I am also passionate about mentorship, especially for Black women and creatives who want to break into spaces where they are underrepresented.

Right now, we are preparing for several major moments — including the Fall 2025 launch of FlixMate™ in the App Store, our Founders Roadshow campaign, and a DC-based launch celebration that will bring together culture, community, and tech.

This is a new chapter for me. I am retiring from federal service this October and stepping fully into the role of founder. Everything I do now is about building with purpose and making space for others to shine. I hope people see FlixMate not just as an app, but as a movement — and I invite them to be part of the story.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been resilience, creative strategy, and relationship building.

Resilience has carried me through every transition — from switching my college major, to working in federal spaces where I was often the only one who looked like me, to launching a tech company in my forties. Resilience is not about pretending things are easy. It is about knowing that you can figure it out, even when the path is unclear. For anyone early in their journey, build this by being kind to yourself when you fall short, and keep moving forward anyway. Rest, regroup, and keep showing up.

Creative strategy has allowed me to see the bigger picture and find fresh ways to solve problems. Whether I was designing government campaigns or developing FlixMate, thinking creatively has helped me blend purpose with innovation. If you want to develop this skill, expose yourself to different types of art, business models, and ideas. Stay curious and practice connecting dots that others might overlook.

Relationship building is the reason I am here. My career, collaborations, and support systems have all been powered by strong, genuine connections. I believe in reaching out, following up, and being a resource to others without always expecting something in return. If you are just starting out, build your network with intention. Lead with authenticity. The right relationships will open doors you did not even know existed.

My advice is simple — protect your peace, stay curious, and stay connected. Growth is never a straight line, but you will be amazed at how far you can go when you bring your full self to the journey.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

My mother has been the most consistent source of strength, wisdom, and grounding throughout my journey. She is the kind of woman who leads with quiet power. She is steady, loyal, and fiercely supportive. She taught me how to push through challenges with grace and determination, how to trust my instincts, and how to move forward with purpose even when the road is uncertain.

Growing up, she made sure I knew I was capable. She did not sugarcoat things, but she always showed up — whether it was for school events, life advice, or silent encouragement. Her example of resilience shaped my own. She showed me how to be strong without becoming hard, how to love without losing yourself, and how to walk confidently in spaces that were not designed with you in mind.

Even now, as I build FlixMate and step fully into this next season of my life, her lessons continue to guide me. She may not be in every room I walk into, but her influence is. She helped me become a woman who believes in herself and what is possible — and that foundation has carried me farther than I ever imagined.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://flixmate.app
• Instagram: @flixmateapp
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FlixMateApp/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-donnisha-davis-30713414/

Image Credits

to me: Donnisha Davis