Desiree Peterkin Bell

Desiree Peterkin Bell, the president and CEO of DPBell & Associates, is a two-time best-selling author, award-winning political and brand strategist, and advocate focused on leading movements, not moments. With more than two decades of experience working alongside influential figures in politics and the cultural and global landscape, she has firmly established herself as a trusted advisor, brand builder, and key player in political, public affairs, and strategic circles.

Driven by purpose, Desiree is committed to championing causes that uplift the voices of people of color and other underserved and marginalized communities.

Professional Trajectory

After completing her master’s degree in public administration as a National Urban Fellow (New York), she began her career with former Mayor Bart Peterson in Indianapolis, where she addressed critical community issues such as affordable housing and economic development. Following the events of 9/11, she returned to her hometown of New York, joining then-Mayor Bloomberg’s administration as a Supervising Legislative Representative.

During her tenure with Bloomberg, Desiree played a crucial role in championing three historic pieces of legislation: The New York City Smoke-Free Air Act of 2022, Tort Reform, and the Film Tax Credit. Her initiative and resourcefulness led to her appointment as Vice President of Government Affairs for NYC Marketing, where she secured multi-million dollar sponsorships for the city from major corporations like Universal Studios, General Motors, The Latin Grammys, and the Country Music Awards.

A Move from New York to New Jersey

Her exceptional work in New York attracted the attention of then-Mayor Corey Booker in New Jersey. She joined Booker’s team as the youngest senior official appointed, serving as Director of Communication. She built an award-winning 21st-century communications network, significantly boosting the mayor’s social media presence to 1.1 million followers within four years. Her efforts were recognized by the New Jersey League of Municipalities, which named Newark’s Office of Communications the “Best City Office of Communication in New Jersey.”

The City of Brotherly Love Comes Calling

Desiree brought her expertise to Philadelphia, working for then-Mayor Michael A. Nutter. She held two appointed positions: Director of Communications and Strategy and City Representative. As Director of Communications, she developed and led local, regional, national, and international media strategies, including the creation of Philadelphia’s first social media policy and an award-winning online presence.

As City Representative, Desiree served as Executive Director and CEO of the nation’s largest Fourth of July event, the Wawa Welcome America festival. The event aired nationally on VH-1 and regionally on 6ABC. She was also the only African American Female Race Director in the U.S. for the award-winning GORE-TEX Philadelphia Marathon. Additionally, she worked as Executive Producer of The Philadelphia Collection, a series of fashion and style events supporting the city's fashion industry.

Desiree Peterkin Bell led the successful bid to host the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, where she served as a Senior Advisor. Her other achievements in Philadelphia include negotiating and managing communications for Jay-Z’s Made in America Festival, the Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit, and Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia – the most significant event ever hosted by a North American city.

Before her roles in Philadelphia, Desiree served as Senior Advisor of Communications for Obama for America – Pennsylvania, developing and executing a statewide communications strategy across seven media markets.

Venturing Out on Her Own

In 2016, after various government roles, Desiree launched DPBell & Associates. The firm collaborates with individuals, brands, and initiatives to create meaningful change. She is dedicated to developing spaces and paradigms that empower people of color in media, politics, movements, and entertainment. One notable initiative is her Chat & Chew events, which facilitate honest discussions on topics like race, culture, and politics, fostering dialogue and healing among women globally.

Her firm has received numerous accolades, including the 2023 Innovation Award from the Women’s Business Awards. She was honored at the 2023 Top Women Awards by PR News, received the 2022 Trailblazer Award from the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists, and was named one of PR Week’s “40 under 40.” Additionally, she was recognized by the Philadelphia Tribune as “One of Philadelphia’s Most Influential African-American Women,” by Black Enterprise as a “triple threat,” and by the Philadelphia Business Journal as a “40 under 40” recipient.

As the Founder of DPBell & Associates, Desiree established a firm with national and international clients, with team members located in Washington, D.C., New York City, Africa, New Jersey, Tel Aviv, and Los Angeles. The firm specializes in public relations, brand management, strategic counseling, crisis communications, media training, digital organizing, event production, political consulting, content development, and strategic partnerships.

DPBell & Associates is renowned for representing movements, not moments; brands that matter; and individuals committed to making a difference. The firm advises organizations, executives, and CEOs of Fortune 100, 500, and C-suite offices on racial inequality and equity issues.

Desiree and her team led the successful strategy and passage of the nation’s first Breonna’s Law in Virginia, limiting “no-knock” warrants. She has also made significant strides in entertainment, content, and technology, particularly in Africa. Leading the PR, marketing, and brand strategy for The Mic Africa, a five-time Telly Award and Emmy-nominated music competition and docuseries, she connected African music, arts, and culture with a global audience. Her efforts resulted in 1 billion media impressions and prominent billboards featuring African artists in Times Square. She also played a vital role in the Birthplaceofhiphop.nyc launch with KRS-One, celebrating Hip Hop’s 50th Anniversary.

Driven by Purpose

Her early life experiences, including overcoming homelessness, have profoundly influenced her passions and drive. She is dedicated to mentoring the next generation, especially young women of color, providing them with tools and resilience to succeed. Her journey through education and confronting societal inequities has fueled her commitment to making a difference.

Desiree graduated from Swarthmore College, where she majored in Political Science and Education. She received the Dean’s Award for exemplary community service and outstanding achievement and earned a full scholarship from the National Urban Fellows for a master’s degree in public administration.

With offices worldwide, Desiree and DPBell & Associates address significant issues, policies, and strategies that impact diverse constituencies at local, national, and international levels. The firm offers services in brand management, crisis communication, strategic and political counsel, media training, high-impact events, stakeholder convenings, strategic partnerships, content development, and more.

Desiree Peterkin Bell lives on the East Coast with her husband, Brian, and their daughter Kaelyn.

The Power of Resilience and Perseverance​

Unveiling the Unparalleled Importance and Timeliness of Investing in Africa

I am a mother, a wife, a daughter, and a sister deeply moved by making an impact in the world. I am a 2x Best-Selling author, award-winning seasoned public affairs and brand strategist, speaker, and advocate who seeks to lead movements, not moments. With over 25 years of experience, I have served as a trusted advisor and brand builder to some of the nation and the world’s most influential thought and cultural leaders of our time. Today, despite my change in position, I operate with my purpose to champion causes designed to amplify the voices of people of color and other marginalized communities. I often say that I am the poster child for Battle-Tested, but GOD Bested; with an accomplished career that has cemented my skillset and knowledge, I have earned the position of being a key fixture in political, public affairs, marketing, and strategy circles around the world.

I am the Founder and CEO of DPBell & Associates. This boutique global public affairs firm serves national and international clients, with team members in Washington, D.C., New York City, New Jersey, Mauritius, Tel Aviv, and Los Angeles. We specialize in public relations, brand management, innovative tech and positioning, strategic counseling, crisis communications, media training, digital organizing, high-level event production, political consulting, content development, and strategic partnerships.

DPBell & Associates is an award-winning public affairs firm representing movements, not moments; brands that matter and people who want to make a difference. DPBell & Associates is often called on to advise organizations, executives, and CEOs of Fortune 100, 500, and C-suite offices as a leading firm focused on addressing racial inequality and equity issues.

My team at DPBell & Associates and I have led the successful strategy and passage of the country’s first Breonna’s Law in Virginia. We have traveled the country during the Presidential and midterm elections providing media training, digital organizing tactics, and essential press assistance. My team and I have made significant strides in entertainment, content, and technology, especially in Africa. Working in more than 15 African countries, Desiree led the P.R., marketing, and brand strategy for the five-time Telly Award and Emmy nominated, The Mic Africa, the first music competition and docuseries born on the continent that connects African music, arts, and culture with a new generation of fans worldwide. After two successful seasons, her steadfast and strategic approach has led to 1 billion Media impressions and four prominent billboards of African artists in Times Square, featuring the first-ever African artist/rapper from Tanzania.

- How are your current efforts helping to propel women forward?

I am fully committed to curating spaces and redefining new paradigms that allow people of color to be impact makers in media, politics, movements, and entertainment. One of her projects is her signature Chat & Chew events, where she co-facilitates honest conversations on various issues that affect women, from race, culture, politics, and more, to create constructive dialogue and promote healing. These dynamic conversations, held worldwide, are poised to continue and make a global impact on the lives of women and girls. I have had the privilege of taking these conversations to 13 cities throughout the U.S., including Los Angeles, where we partnered with former First Lady Michelle Obama and the United States of Women for the largest community event; we have also had these conversations globally in Panama; Mexico, Tel Aviv, The U.K., Bermuda, Nigeria, Ghana, and Colombia.

- What advice would you share for building a recognizable brand in a saturated market?

Don’t be afraid to separate yourself from the pack. We are all uniquely and divinely made. I try not to chase trends and instead create and focus on things no one is talking about. Sometimes, as Black Women, we can doubt ourselves and our abilities when many of our counterparts don’t face nearly the same scrutiny before they “try something new .”Give yourself space and grace to try something new. Be Bold and consistent.

- How do you stay motivated during uncertain seasons? 

Real talk, I pray, and I have a therapist (or two). In times of uncertainty, I often need something larger than myself to guide me through that moment. I frequently meditate, focusing on seeing my goals through to fruition. I think Black women often fall into these dangerous self-defining tropes, the “Strong Black Woman” mentality when the reality is we should allow ourselves to feel vulnerable, take a moment, slow down, and breathe. I am learning that my strength is not in pushing through the uncertain seasons or the hard times but in resting and resting well during these times to regenerate, recharge, and find peace.

Peace. Be Still.

- Tell us about your 2023 plans and how to connect with you online:

By the Grace of GOD, I plan to continue to be able to make an impact in unique and memorable ways. First, I will announce new cities and countries to host “Chat and Chews .”I want to continue providing space for hard conversations that build coalition and understanding. Second, DPBell & Associates will continue to grow internationally and focus on the brilliance, collaborative nature, and innovation within the Diaspora – We Got Us! My team and I are executives who produced the Second Annual (Take Back The Mic) TBTM Interactive Festival. Last year’s Festival boasted a timely theme: Connecting the Continents, Connecting the Culture. Featured speakers included Dr. Deepak Chopra, Aja Naomi King, Mustafa Shakir, Baratunde Thurston, and thought leaders across Business, Tech, Impact, Media & Entertainment, and Innovation.

This year, the virtual Festival returns with the theme Remixing the Renaissance: Culture and Technology in the New Global South and a new roster of influential leaders in their fields. This year’s Festival will take place virtually on the team: app and TBTM web platform. In 2023 you will see more of my team and I executive producing more global, impactful events. And lastly, I want to take much-needed rest. I have been going for a while and recognize that I can only give the world, my community, my team, and my company the best of me when I am my best.

I have also been invited to speak at the House of Lords in London to speak on “Purpose, Not Position” https://masterchangeyourway.com/

Please connect with me here:

Twitter: @DPBell

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desireepeterkinbell/ 

Website: dpbellandassociates.com

Desiree’s most notable accolades: Recognized as one of the best and brightest in Public Affairs and the P.R. industry, Desiree has been recognized nationally and globally by P.R. Week’s “40 under 40,” Black Enterprise, The Obama Administration, For(bes) The Culture, Essence Magazine, Black Enterprise Magazine, and Pope Francis. She was recently bestowed the TrailBlazer Award by the National Association of Journalists’ oldest chapter, the Philadelphia Association of Journalists, for her game-changing international reach in consulting, P.R., politics, and media.

To know more about Desire Peterkin Bell, click the links below: 

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