Desiree Peterkin Bell is 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 20 years of experience, Desiree has served as a trusted advisor and brand builder to some of the nation’s most influential thought, cultural and world leaders of our time. Today, she operates in her purpose despite her change in position, to champion causes designed to amplify the voices of people of color and other marginalized communities.
With an accomplished career that is battle-tested and proven, Desiree has cemented her role as a key fixture in political, public affairs, marketing and strategy circles around the world. Recognizing that she drinks deeply from wells she did not dig, Desiree Peterkin Bell is passionate about engaging with people, brands and projects that are positioned to make the greatest impact.
Recognized as one of the best and brightest in Public Affairs and the PR industry, Desiree has been recognized nationally and globally by PR Week’s “40 under 40,” Black Enterprise, The Obama Administration, For(bes) The Culture, Essence Magazine, and Pope Francis.
Desiree is Founder and CEO of DPBell & Associates, a firm that serves both national and international clients, with team members in Washington, D.C., New York City, New Jersey, Mauritius, Tel Aviv, and Los Angeles. They specialize in public relations, brand management, innovative tech and positioning, strategic counseling, crisis communications, media training, digital organizing, event production, political consulting, content development, and strategic partnerships.
DPBell & Associates is a leading firm representing movements, not moments; brands that matter and people who want to make a difference. As a leading firm focused on addressing issues of racial inequality and equity, DPBell & Associates is often called on to advise organizations, executives and CEOs of Fortune 100, 500 and C suite offices.
Desiree and her team at DPBell & Associates led the successful strategy and passage of the country’s first Breonna’s Law in Virginia. Desiree and her team have made significant strides in entertainment, content and technology as well most notably in the Africa. Working in more than 15 African countries, Desiree led the PR, 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. Her steadfast and strategic approach after two successful seasons, has led to 1-Billion Media impressions and 4 major billboards of African artists in Times Square, featuring the first-ever African artist/rapper from Tanzania.
Desiree is also 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 personal projects are her signature Chat & Chew events where she co-facilitates honest conversations on a variety of issues that affect women, from race, culture, politics, and more, in an effort to create constructive dialogue and promote healing. These dynamic conversations held around the world, are poised to continue and make a global impact in the lives of women and girls.
Desiree Peterkin Bell is a not only a Trailblazer but she is a woman of dynamic impact.