Doretha White is a multifaceted talent and former professional educator of 32 years. She served in the public and private school sectors as a teacher, principal, teacher development specialist and college instructor. Doretha has become a successful entrepreneur as an author, publisher, digital course creator and business coach. She broke into a new skillset during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic with her online courses Quarantine Queens for women entrepreneurs and Publishing on Steroids for new authors.
She has published multiple books for herself and contemporary authors. Doretha received her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership at the College of William & Mary and earned credits at Georgia Southern University toward her Doctorate.
Alongside her husband Michael, she co-founded Dream Big Youth Travel, a niche travel company created to develop educational experiences through national college campus tours and curriculum-based field trips that help students from mostly Title 1 and inner-city schools to dream bigger! In its 20-year history, Dream Big Youth Travel has visited 70+ college campuses, including Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs), Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs), religious institutions, private & public colleges, performing and visual arts colleges, and trade/vocational/career/technical schools. Doretha co-founded Dream Big Custom Cargo Trailers, Inc., specializing in custom mobile trailer design.
FWM: You have spent 32 years in education. What have you enjoyed the most?
I began my career as a classroom teacher in 1991, so in my heart of hearts, I am still a teacher. I enjoy taking difficult or challenging information and breaking it down, making it relevant to people. I have always loved reading, writing, and history, which are still my favorite academic topics. I have enjoyed the roles of teacher, assistant principal, principal, teacher development specialist, college professor, and now entrepreneur, curriculum writer, and business coach. My skill set has just carried over from role to role enabling me to grow professionally.
FWM: As a much sought-after Business Coach, how are you helping individuals who have a business idea but aren’t quite sure what to do next?
My business coaching has currently evolved into business AND writing coaching. I focus on individuals who wish to write their biography/memoirs. My current offering is called Silver Stories. Silver Stories is for persons ages 50+ who believe they have an interesting, compelling, or inspiring life story that needs to be told. It is completely 100% online and takes place July 1 – Aug 19. I am truly excited about this new course that I believe will be a real blessing and empowerment to people. Here is the link for more information: https://www.eventbrite.co/e/silver-stories-summer-writing-cohort-hosted-by-doretha-h-white-med-tickets-631123145317
FWM: Tell us about your work with first-time authors.
During the pandemic, I encouraged my son, who was 18 at the time, to write about his experience with helping to change a strict hair policy at his private school here in Atlanta. He was reluctant at first, but he trusted me to help him. He wrote a beautiful book called Can I Touch Your Hair. Once he finished the manuscript, we shopped around for a publisher but quickly learned that publishing costs anywhere from $5,000-$15,000 and up. This set me on course to taking a publishing class and becoming a publisher. My son’s book was the first book that I published.
Shortly after, I collaborated with 24 other women entrepreneurs on my project called Quarantine Queens. I created a 30-day course for women entrepreneurs in May 2020 to talk, write, and brainstorm around business ideas during and after the pandemic. After the course was complete, we decided to write and publish a book together. That was my second publication. After that, everyone said, “Oh, you’re a publisher now! Can you publish something for me?!” Next, one of our close family friends and international accountant Ensa Huger asked for my help in publishing her book of poetry, and shortly thereafter a second book for her, Defining Moments and Learning to Leap were born. Then, one of my dear friends, an educational leader, Dr. Denise Garrett Stevens, had an epiphany about people pursuing their dreams. Her book is called Rotting on the Vine. A few months later, I was on a girls’ trip with my sister, aunt, & cousin. My cousin Gail, a cancer survivor and retired CIA officer, started telling these fantastic stories over dinner. I shouted, “You need to write a book!” To which she replied, “If you help me, I will!” Gail’s book is called Godmade, Not Man-made.
All in all, I published six books during the pandemic and found a new passion and purpose. I am now currently working with three authors who are all publishing their books this summer! One is a retired CIA officer who was the only female on the team that brought down Osama Bin Laden. The second is a young woman and a college student writing a fiction story in the wolf genre. My third author is a mom who lost her baby to a terrible genetic disorder. Three extremely different stories, but I feel that I am empowering them to get their stories out to the masses.
FWM: What are some of the misnomers of first-time publishing?
You have to begin with the END in mind. I am a big believer in backwards planning. I start my authors off with the big picture. We do storyboarding and outlining to get a full picture of where we want this story to end up. Then, the writing will just flow.
FWM: Tell us about Dream Big Youth Travel.
My husband and I started Dream Big Youth Travel 20 years ago, back in 2003. We had both grown a bit disenchanted with the public school system, and we wanted to work and contribute to black children and families in a different, more significant way. My husband decided to begin offering college tours, and eventually, we added educational field trips.
Over 20 years, we have taken over 40,000 youth and teachers to visit Ivy Leagues, HBCUs, public and private colleges and universities all across the US from Georgia to Florida to the Carolinas, to Alabama, to DC, New York, Philly, Boston, California, and Ohio. We work with elementary, middle, and high schools, churches, and youth organizations such as Jack & Jill, Boys & Girls Club, TRIO, and the Goodwill Industries Foundation. This has been our life’s work and so very fulfilling and rewarding.
FWM: Tell us about your recent book All the Stuff Your Parents Meant to Teach You but Never Got Around to It.
This book is literally my heart for young adults on paper. I started writing this book during the pandemic. I began reflecting on my conversations with my own kids, my 30-year-old daughter and my 21-year-old son. As teens and young adults transition into independence, they need help and support. My book is divided into eight sections with 101 interactive lessons and activities. The book is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Stuff-Parents-MEANT-Teach-Around/dp/B0BV4D6WKP
FWM: What lessons have you learned during your career? Any advice for entrepreneurs who want to Dream Big?
My career advice is very simple. Focus on developing your strengths. Don’t worry so much about your weaknesses. If you are good at math but hate reading, then focus on careers that allow you to showcase your math skills. If you love writing and speaking, pursue careers that allow those skills to shine. I also say NETWORK every day and everywhere. It is always about WHO you know and WHO knows YOU! If you want to be an entrepreneur, start small and be consistent. Tell everybody what it is that you do. Choose something that people NEED and are willing to PAY for! That will quickly become a successful business. Everything else is just a hobby.
