Behind the Magic

In this episode of Behind the Magic, I sit down with Tori Fernandez Whitney, founder & CEO of DC Focus, whose career as a nonprofit and public sector executive has been shaped by resilience, advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to doing the right thing. From her early experiences growing up in New Orleans to navigating the high-stakes world of D.C. politics and nonprofit leadership, Tori shares the lessons that have defined her journey—the unglamorous truth of the “glass cliff”, the scrutiny Black women face as they work to create change, and the emotional toll of fixing broken systems. With wisdom and humility, she shares her unfiltered, inspiring, and deeply personal story about the power of being fierce, the cost of making change, and the unstoppable force of Black women leading boldly.

In this episode of Behind the Magic, host Danielle Prendergast sits down with Jasmine Burney-Clark, founder of Equal Ground, to explore her journey from a first-generation college graduate to a powerhouse leader in Black voter empowerment. Jasmine shares how her mother’s resilience and entrepreneurialism shaped her leadership, the challenges of navigating white-led organizations, and the decision to create her own path.

Jasmine opens up about the fight against voter suppression in Florida, the resistance she faces—even from supposed allies—and the weight of carrying a legacy of Black women’s leadership. Through powerful storytelling, she reveals the realities of advocacy, the necessity of Black-led spaces, and her vision for lasting change.

A raw, inspiring conversation about resilience, justice, and redefining leadership.