Without credentials, connections or a college degree, a hip-hop journalist and community leader conquered her imposter syndrome while landing one of the most exclusive, sought-after and fun positions in the White House.
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From the most unlikely person to end up as a senior official to President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama comes a candid, incredible and inspiring story.
Moved by the election of the country's first Black president, Deesha Dyer applied for a White House internship in 2009 as a thirty-one-year-old part-time community college student, taking a leap that carried her through being hired in a full-time position, followed by three promotions landing her at the epicenter of politics.
Deesha rose to the highly coveted role of White House social secretary, giving her a front row-seat to executing events that communicated defining moments in history while curating some of the flyest parties 1600 Pennsylvania has ever seen. With humor and realness, she peels back the curtain. Deesha reflects on how imposter syndrome threatened her survival until she realized that it was neither her fault nor her responsibility.
“From the very first time that I met Deesha, she impressed me with her passion and creativity. Over the years, she worked her way up from being an intern to becoming our Social Secretary, and worked hard to make the White House the People’s House — flawlessly executing events, state dinners, and going the extra mile to open the doors to people who never thought they’d walk through. She tells her remarkable story in her book, Undiplomatic: How My Attitude Created the Best Kind of Trouble. It’s smart, funny, and endlessly inspirational — and I hope you’ll check it out.”
Michelle Obama
Print Articles
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New books from Black icons Deesha Dyer & Henry Louis Gates, Jr
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April 2024 Books by Black Authors We Can't Wait to Read
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The No. 1 Thing You Should Do Before Letting Anyone Into Your Home For A Party
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28 Gifts for Every Mom On Your List This Mother’s Day
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New Releases and More for April 23
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What Happened When First Lady Michelle Obama Asked Me a Question I Wasn't Prepared For
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From Au Bon Pain to the White House: Here’s how code-switching impacts Black workers
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The Obamas’ former social secretary has advice for Philly girls
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A revealing look inside the executive branch and its entrenched culture
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Deesha Dyer Shares Journey From Community College To Coveted Career At The White House In New Book
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A Peek Inside Her Agenda: Deesha Dyer
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“You Don’t Know How Many People Are In Your Corner Until You Remove Yourself Out Of Your Own Way” – Deesha Dyer On Taking Risks and Tackling Imposter Syndrome
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The Inside Woman of the Obama White House
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Former White House Social Secretary is Undiplomatic and Proud of It
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From Imposter to Insider
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Taraji P. Henson Shares 5 Books That Make A Difference
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Empowering Voices: Reflections after Juneteenth
TV & Events
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Deesha Dyer talks Ungoing from hip-hop journalist to White House social secretary in new book
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‘Never underestimate Joe Biden’: Former Obama official reacts to Pres. Biden’s speech
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Philly native talks new book and working for Obama White House
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Former White House social secretary details her ‘Undiplomatic’ way of overcoming imposter syndrome
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Historically Speaking: Undiplomatic: How My Attitude Created the Best Kind of Trouble
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Writers Live Recording
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All Access Event Recap: Deesha Dyer’s ‘UNDIPLOMATIC’ Book Launch
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Deesha Dyer debuts Undiplomatic
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Philly Native Deesha Dyer rises from Community College to the White House
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Deesha Dyer shares her Undiplomatic and Unconventional Journey
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Deesha Dyer on Imposter Syndrome
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From Imposter to Insider
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From Community College to the White House
Podcasts
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The Most Important Lesson She Learned From Michele Obama
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Go behind the scenes of White House events with Deesha Dyer
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The Art of the Party with Deesha Dyer
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FROM PHILLY TO THE WHITE HOUSE: AN INTERVIEW WITH DEESHA DYER [AUDIO + VIDEO]
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Deesha Dyer on Being White House Social Secretary and Why Self-Love and Confidence Are Sometimes Late to the Party
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Finding Your Path with Deesha Dyer
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Deesha Dyer on Undiplomatic and Working in the White House
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Trump’s Hush-Money Judge Has Already Made Some Good Rulings
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History Happy Hour: The Undiplomat
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“Undiplomatic” is a deeply personal memoir from the Obama White House’s social secretary
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Live with Deesha Dyer and Alexa Patrick
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Deesha Dyer, Author of Undiplomatic
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From Imposter to Insider : Deesha Dyer’s White House Revolution
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Deesha Dyer
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Hostess with the Mostest
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Being Undiplomatic with Deesha Dyer
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How to Throw a Party Even a President Would Love
More Podcasts
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Former Obama Staffer Deesha Dyer’s Undiplomatic Rise to the Top
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Our Dystopian Project 2025 with Errin Haines and Deesha Dyer
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Overcoming Imposter Syndrome with Deesha Dyer
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I Traveled the World with President Obama, Now I Help Young Girls Do The Same
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Curiosity of Defying Your Own Limits with Deesha Dyer
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The Costs and Benefits of Standing Out
Radio
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Meet Deesha Dyer: The Former Obama Administration Social Secretary
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Student protest amidst war in Gaza, former Obama White House social secretary Deesha Dyer, cocktail brothers
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Reality Check with Tonya Pendleton
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A More Perfect Union (video included)
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Deesha Dyer talks her new book Undiplomatic and working in the White House
Notable Social Media
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See it on Instagram
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Deesha
From Imposter to Impact
Speaking
Whether you need a keynote speaker, a workshop facilitator, or a real-deal thought partner, I bring lived experience and sharp strategy to every space I enter.