We recently had the chance to connect with Dr. Vonnya Pettigrew and have shared our conversation below.
Vonnya, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I love a slow start to the morning. Each morning I drop my fur baby off to doggy day care, then stop for an iced oat latte from one of three of my go to local coffee shops and then I drive the scenic route into the office avoiding all highways.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Dr. Vonnya Pettigrew, HonD CEO of Root Branch Media Group an award winning media marketing and communications firm. We are notably known for making meaningful media – media that makes a difference.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
This is a such a great question. Since childhood I’ve always been responsible. The first time I ever felt “powerful“ was the first time I was allowed to walk home from school with my friends without an adult supervision. I was probably in third or fourth grade and my school was very close to the house. Fun fact about me… this moment was so significant that I became a published author of a children’s book entitled Lil V Walks Home From School. You can probably still find it online.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me that I could survive. When you are goin through what you perceive as the worst thing that could ever happen to you or even worst when you live in fear of trying to prevent or avoid the worst that you could imagine could happen to you – only to realize after it actually happen – it didn’t kill you, you survived and are stronger on the other side – you learn you can get through anything.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes. The public version of me is the real me. Often times when people meet me in person, they are surprised that one I actually look like my pictures they’ve seen of me on line, and two are often even more surprise at how approachable and down to earth I really am. I recognize that people are inspired by my story and have questions or want my advice or mentorship – so when they meet me and express that, I try to make time and space to give a thoughtful, honest answer or impart valuable wisdom.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
At Root Branch Media we do a lot of work in the education space teaching film, photography, and media arts literacy to students in grades K-12. As an educator you realize you are in an industry that is in it for the long game. Fortunately, We’ve been doing this work now for almost 20 years and we have students who are now adults themselves, working in the industry, on the air as anchors and pursuing other professional careers in the media industry because their first introduction to production was in one of our classrooms in their middle school or during one of our youth summer media camps.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rootbranchmediagroup.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vonnyarooted/, https://www.instagram.com/rootbranchmg/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/vonnya-pettigrew-75161664
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vonnya.pettigrew
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/RootBranchMediaGroup
Image Credits
Images Provided by Root Branch Media Group.
