By Chloe Parkins
WASHINGTON –Dionna Dorsey stood inside the White House when she was 12 years old. She wasn’t there for a tour as most kids her age would be. Instead, she was there as an intern.
Her life in politics wouldn’t go much further than that.
Unlike many people who follow a career in the White House, Dorsey became her own boss.
“I was supposed to be the first black female president in my parent’s eyes,” she said.
However, Dorsey always knew she wanted to go into a creative career. It wasn’t a straight path to the finish line, but Dorsey did just that. Now, she is an entrepreneur, creative consultant and fashion designer.
After spending time living and studying around the world, Dorsey moved to Washington for her career.
It was at this time that Dorsey developed and created her own business, Dionna Dorsey Design.
“No one would hire me, so I had to hire myself,” she said.
Dionna Dorsey Design is a multifaceted company working with businesses’ creative direction, graphic design, branding, marketing and websites. The company will hit its 10th anniversary next year.
In 2014, Dorsey branched out to create District of Clothing, which she hopes will encourage people “to be themselves” through sweatshirt, T-shirt and hat designs.
“It is her platform to express the things that God has instilled in her … to reach people to tell them that they can dream and do,” Hawkins said about District of Clothing. “I myself have put on a shirt or sweatshirt intentionally on a day to remind myself and remind others of that.”
District of Clothing will celebrate its fifth anniversary in December. Going forward, Dorsey hopes to give more time, which she describes as a “commodity” and “luxury,” to the brand to develop more items.
Dorsey’s success can be largely attributed to her risk-taking attitude and bold decisions.
“You don’t have to have all the answers to get started,” she said.
From the time she was born, Dorsey was close with her family. She recalled driving by Villanova University with her aunt when she was 11.
“I just can remember we used to sit at this light,” she said. “I would say ‘I’m going to go to that school. I’m going to be one of those kids with the book bags, walking to class.’”
Dorsey graduated from Villanova in 2002. A year out of college, her father, Jay Dorsey, suffered from and survived a heart attack. Inspired by the fragility of life, Dorsey decided she would go after her dreams and become a fashion designer.
“I wasn’t going to be one of those 50-year-old women saying, ‘I wish I would have when I could have,’” Dorsey said.
Dorsey, not new to travel, picked up and left to study in Milan, Italy, with “no fears” and “totally excited.” She embraced the change with open arms and never imagined coming back to live in the U.S.
That all changed in 2004 when her younger sister, Danielle Hawkins, got very sick. The two sisters were always very close, and this hit both of them hard.
“Growing up with her, I couldn’t imagine it any other way,” Hawkins said about her sister. “She’s a gift and she’s an asset. I’m lucky to have a seat beside her in life.”
After experiencing the emotional difficulties of needing to get to loved ones as quickly as possible, Dorsey knew it was time to move back closer to family in the U.S.
Jay Dorsey said he was “very relieved” when he found out his daughter was moving back.
“Then, I found out she was moving to New York and that made it more stressful,” he said.
Having lived in New York himself, Jay Dorsey understood the different communities within the city and how easy it is to “feel like an outsider” there.
“New York is also like small countries around the world,” he said. “When you enter that community, you need to be careful.”
Dorsey loved her time in the city and describes it today as the place that raised her. When the economy collapsed in 2008, though, she was forced to move back into her dad’s house in Washington.
Lucky for Dorsey, she said, “My dad was the best roommate I’ve ever had.”
Dionna Dorsey, 39, is the founder and owner of Dionna Dorsey Design and District of Clothing. After traveling for school, family is what brought Dorsey back to the United States.
(Photo by Chloe Parkins)