President Obama Hires African-American Female Social Secretary
Deesha Dyer
Article By Anna Harding:: Photo Credit: AP
It’s an inspiring come-up story.
Philadelphia native, Deesha Dyer, 37, who grew up in a tough community and quit college to become a community
advocate, is the newly appointed White House social secretary.
Her education isn’t fancy. Neither is her resume. But Dyer is proof that it doesn’t matter where you start, but how you
finish.
The social secretary post was first held by Desirée Rogers and most recently by an openly gay man, Jeremy Bernard,
who announced his departure earlier this month.
Dyer steps into the role at a time when President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, are entering the final
leg of their journey in the White House, as Decision 2016 is on the horizon.
The newly promoted staffer attended Milton Hershey School, catering to students from low-income families. She
worked as an assistant at the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust PEI 0% from 2001-2010 and freelanced for
Philadelphia City Paper, as well as other outlets.
Dyer is also the creator of a hip hop AIDS program, volunteers as a CARE advocate and serves on the board at Action
AIDS.
“Deesha was selected from among an abundance of well-qualified candidates for her passion and dedication to opening
the doors of the White House, most notably engaging students from communities across the country,” said an official
White House statement.
“Deesha shares our commitment to a White House that reflects America’s history, highlights our culture, and celebrates
all Americans,” said the president. “Michelle and I look forward to working with her in this new role as we welcome
visitors from across the country and around the world to the People’s House.”
After giving up the books to make a difference in her community, Dyer returned to college at 29 and earned a women’s
studies associate’s degree at the Community College of Philadelphia.
At 31, she went after a White House internship, usually reserved for 20-somethings. “I’m thinking, ‘They’re not going to
let a 31-year-old do this,’” she told Refinery 29 in an interview.
But once she got her foot in the door, despite a late start, Dyer diligently worked and climbed her way up.
The hard work has paid off.
Dyer shared advice for those seeking to break through in their career in a recent interview with Refinery 29. “Just keep
going,” she said. “We all have things in life that happen to us, and if you just sit in the moment, it can bring you down
sometimes — but you just have to keep going.”
She added, “I hope when people read my story, they realize that they can get past [their challenges].”
In her official statement about the prestigious promotion Dyer said, she was “constantly inspired by the openness,
diversity, and traditions of this Administration.”
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