We recently connected with Da’Vida D. and have shared our conversation below.
Da’Vida D. , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
“Live in your purpose is not only a motto for me but it is a lifestyle.”
Your purpose will come to you repeatedly until you put it first. When I finally decided to do that, the Beyonce song “Love on Top” should have been playing in the background; especially the chorus (“Finally you put my love on top”) but the song hadn’t come out yet. My purpose has been fighting for a long time to shine through me.
I was raised in Brooklyn, NY (Williamsburg/Bed-Stuy) while living in NYC Housing until I was a pre-teen; then my grandparents became like, “The Jeffersons” and moved us into one of their brownstones houses in Brooklyn.
Prior to that move my purpose in life was stewing. At age 5, I performed the song, “The Greatest Love of All” . The Whitney Houston version is what I asked for, but I got the George Benson version; “Bless my little heart,” because singing was not a part of my natural gifts. Although, as a teenager I nailed a spot on the Hezekiah Walker Choir, and I am still baffled about that.
A couple of months later, after “The Greatest Love of All” debacle; I graduated from kindergarten, and they asked me, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” I said I want to be a lawyer like Claire Huxtable on “The Cosby Show”. Well, my mom made sure if I was under her roof then she was going to make me into a lawyer; especially because that was an occupation she wanted before having me.
At age 9, I opened for a major talent show, little did I know that was going to be my first-time as an audience warm-up, (hyping the crowd up). That feeling always lived inside of me. Bringing joy to people’s hearts and laughter; I wanted to relive that feeling repeatedly.
My mom, ensuring I kept my eyes on the prize of becoming a lawyer, informed me I could join a theater and dance company, but only as extracurricular activities (aside from me playing basketball and running track). That was a “win” for me, but that’s because I did not know that entertainment was my purpose.
Looking back, she had my best interest at heart. I was too young to completely understand that the feeling I was feeling was my purpose burning through my soul.
By age 16 I was working at the Attorney General’s Office and was a part of the American Legion Auxiliary. I was also attending political retreats teaching me how to run for office amongst my peers. I traveled to Albany, NY and Washington, DC to learn how state & federal laws are implemented. At age 17, I received the Johnny Cochran Scholarship to attend the college of my choice. I graduated with a triple major in Philosophy, Politics and Law then later received my dual master’s degree in Global Business Management and Urban Leadership. Yet, after being accepted to New York Law School, I left it all behind; It feels like a lifetime ago. The truth is I was not happy; I felt as though I was in auto-pilot working towards a goal that I was not sure was for me.
As they say, tell me your plan and I tell you God’s plan. Well, that’s how that went. I needed a second part-time job and that became Radio City Music Hall. After receiving a position there, my primary job in Arbitration Union & International Law as a case manager was obsolete in the same week.
Working for Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden & Beacon Theater events (they all the same company); lead me right to my purpose a third time around. I walked into Radio City Music Hall as a part-time security guard left working in Credentials and being liaison to visiting productions. I had the privilege of working on award shows, concerts, conferences, and iconic events; such as, NFL Draft, Jay-Z’s 10th anniversary of “Reasonable Doubt,” Tony Awards, Emmy Awards, MTV Music Awards, and so much more.
When I say your purpose will find you and let you know; believe me because the next thing I knew I was a credential manager for the MTV Music Awards for three years and then as years passed by, I later became Audience Warm Up for a couple of Viacom shows such as MTV TRL & Nick Cannon presents Wild N Out. I had gone full circle from working at both Radio City Music Hall and MTV behind the scenes to being back at Radio City Music Hall at the MTV Video Music Awards, on the pink carpet as talent. Then a few years later I had the honor of going on the stage of Madison Square Garden with Nick Cannon presents Wild N Out.
Currently, I am a comedian, audience warm-up/host, actress, do voice overs, producer, content creator, and writer, in addition to being a CEO of W.L.D. Enterprise, Inc. (named after my father) protecting creativity and producing creative projects. Overall, I am a full blown entertainer working both behind and in front of the camera. I am also a board member of BKS Early Childhood Education in Brooklyn, of which I am an alumnus, providing education in the urban area in Brooklyn, NY (Bed Stuy & East New York areas).
This did not happen overnight. This took dedication, determination, endless hours of working for free, taking acting, voice over, and improv classes while maintaining my career behind the camera as a talent host, producer, talent supervisor, script supervisor, audience warm-up and doing stand up comedy. In addition, to having a city job as a Child Protective Service Officer and a couple non-purpose jobs (meaning great jobs but, just not my purpose in life). The sacrifices I have made, including my marriage, were all a part of my journey to living for my purpose and not for others.
There was nothing wrong with the non-purpose jobs I was doing, it was just that it was not my purpose and not for me. I recall the first time I had to remove 5 children from their home; that process and feeling was horrific. That was my turning point to release all non-purpose jobs and go full throttle into entertainment and not just part-time. I want to bring joy into people’s homes and not trauma. It was a bold move overall and financially it did not make sense, I gave up so much (marriage, car, etc), but living my purpose was worth it.
So, for those in search of your purpose just know it will find you when the timing is right no matter what. Be open to receiving it and know that living in your purpose means you will do it for free if you could, because that’s how much joy not happiness but joy it brings to your soul.
Unfortunately, according to the government you have bills to pay no matter what you do in this lifetime. Paying your bills is mandated and the best feeling is to pay them doing what you LOVE. Because working an endless job outside your purpose just to pay bills; you are not living, you are surviving in this world.
The rule of thumb is you have one life to live…live it to the fullest and live your life for your purpose.
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?
Currently, I am a comedian, audience warm Up/Host, actress, voice over, producer, content creator, and writer, in addition to being a CEO of W.L.D. Enterprise, Inc. (named after my father) protecting creativity and producing creative projects. Overall, I am a full blown entertainer working both behind and in front of the camera as a SAG-AFTRA member. I am also a board member of BKS Early Childhood Education in Brooklyn, of which I am an alumnus, providing education in the urban area in Brooklyn, NY (Bed Stuy & East New York areas).
I am just a vessel and God is definitely leading my life. The excitement I feel when I see people laugh or enjoy a project I have worked on, it reminds me of what life is supposed to be about; HAPPINESS & JOY.
I have been through so many trials and tribulations throughout this life but, laughter and music has been the best medicine and I am grateful that I can bring that to others.
Please look out for future projects. Unfortunately, due to the strike I am unable to promote any future projects. I also have a few comedy shows coming up.
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?
The qualities that have been essential to my journey are: Determination, Communication with Compassion and Integrity.
Once I chose “ME” I realized that I was unique and did not need validation or to compare myself to anyone else. I omitted the word “self-sabotage” because the reality is whatever God has planned for you; will be for you no matter what. My journey and my purpose was personally designed for “ME” from the day I was born, and no one can stop what God has planned for me; a mantra I hold dear and true.
There are days that you feel defeated on those days take a break to reset your mental health. On those days I read inspirational quotes or re-read one of my favorite books written by Erika Bryant “Doing it Scared”. That book touches me each time because I can relate to the up and downs of this industry and the sacrifice but, success is captured at the end.
My advice is ignore negative speech within yourself and from others. Acknowledge there will be some bumps along the way and you might get derailed from time to time on your journey but, your determination and dedication will always lead you right back to your purpose. If you ever feel like giving up; DO NOT GIVE UP! What you are looking for is already within you. This journey is to strengthen you as a person so when it is your time to shine you will have all the necessary skills to be a PARAGON in your purpose.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
Our parents do not have a manual on how to raise children, they use the tools they have. My parents were separated before I could speak; I lived a life of trying to please both parents while trying to navigate independence. For my mom she had a plan for me and that was her focus, ensuring I did exactly what she had planned for my life.
Meanwhile, my dad believed in individuality. My dad pushed forward thinking; always asking me what I want, teaching me how to focus on my dreams and self-discovery. Growing up I had one parent telling me what to do and when I was around the other parent, they wanted me to be “ME” unapologetically and happy was their plan for me.
They had opposite views on raising a child; my mom felt a child should be told what to do and my dad felt that a child was an individual that had their own ideas and thoughts in which a parent should guide. These two adverse views lead me to try to please both parents from such a young age that invertedly I became a “people pleaser”. Basically, I began putting everyone before me. This lesson was a HARD lesson and journey and it took me a few years to finally choose “ME” first. Once I chose “ME”, just like magic I received the honor of working for Viacom/CBS, NBC Universal, Inc., Disney /ABC & Fox Networks as a freelancer in production. I worked on various television shows and special events which opened the Pandora’s box that was holding my purpose; to entertain, to create, to keep people laughing and bringing joy. I looked forward in working with other creatives to produce projects that empowers humanity.
My parents’ adversity led me to be the person I am today. Being raised by two opposites allowed me to develop my creative skills through the my life experience, working with people with various conflicting views, how to maintain calmness in a chaotic situation, survival skills, communication skills, assessing my environment before reacting, and how to read people empathically, amongst other skills.
I am a product of both my parents: I obtained a triple Bachelor’s Degree and dual Master’s Degree. I worked in the legal field in Arbitration and child protective field; all the seeds my mom implemented in me. Through living that life “MY PURPOSE” was able to push through when I chose “ME”; which is all my dad wanted me to do; put me first. I have been in the entertainment field for over 15 years and so grateful because, I have an entire career not a job, but a career to fall back on.
My parents have had a huge impact in my life; they are the meaning of taking ‘LEMONS AND MAKING LEMONADE’ with HONEY. I am grateful for my journey both the darkness and the light, because without it I would not be living my purpose today.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: iamdavida.d
- Facebook: DAVIDA D. COMEDIAN
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davida-d3221111/
- Twitter: Da’Vida D.
- Youtube: Da’Vida D.
Image Credits
IG @GOLDN_CHARMR
