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Donna Byrd
Maker interview details
Interview
- January 31, 2014
Profession
- Category:
MediaMakers
- Occupation(s):
Publisher
Birthplace
- Born: April 26, 1970
- Birth Location: Fort Lee, Virginia
Favorites
- Favorite Color: Fuchsia
- Favorite Food: French Fries
- Favorite Time of Year: Spring
- Favorite Vacation Spot: Cape Town, South Africa
Favorite Quote
"Woo Hoo"
Biography
Publisher Donna Byrd was born on April 26, 1970 in Fort Lee, Virginia. She was raised in a military family, grew up in North Carolina and Virginia, and graduated high school in Germany. Byrd received her B.A. degree in American government from the University of Virginia in 1992, and her M.B.A. degree from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business in 1996. She also studied business at the University of Cape Town in South Africa.
In 1992, Byrd was hired as an assistant sales manager for Procter & Gamble, where she worked until 1994. From 1996 to 1999, she served as a brand manager for the Coca-Cola Company, where she developed marketing and sales strategies. In 1999, Byrd was named vice president of marketing for EzGov.com. Then, in 2001, she helped Tom Joyner launch BlackAmericaWeb.com, one of the top three African American news and lifestyle websites. Byrd served as chief executive officer of BlackAmericaWeb.com until 2003, when she co-founded Kickoff Marketing, a strategic planning and brand firm, where she was managing partner for five years.
In 2008, Byrd was hired by The Washington Post and named publisher of TheRoot.com. She has received The Lucile Harris Bluford Spotlight Award, as well as an award from The Diva Lounge for her work as publisher of TheRoot.com. Byrd was also honored at the Diversity Affluence Brunch & Awards in 2012.
Donna Byrd was interviewed by The HistoryMakers on January 31, 2014.
Previews from the Digital Archive
Watch the full interview in the Digital Archive
- Slating of Donna Byrd's interview
- Donna Byrd lists her favorites
- Donna Byrd describes her mother's family background
- Donna Byrd describes her mother's physical traits
- Donna Byrd describes how her parents met, pt. 1
- Donna Byrd talks about her father's upbringing
- Donna Byrd describes her father's family background
- Donna Byrd describes her paternal family's naming practices
- Donna Byrd describes her paternal grandparents' professions
- Donna Byrd describes how her father came to attend Howard University in Washington, D.C.
- Donna Byrd describes her father's education at Howard University in Washington, D.C.
- Donna Byrd talks about her father's early career in the U.S. military
- Donna Byrd describes how her parents met, pt. 2
- Donna Byrd talks about her parents' personalities
- Donna Byrd lists her siblings
- Donna Byrd remembers her family's frequent moves
- Donna Byrd describes her earliest childhood memory
- Donna Byrd describes her community in Alexandria, Virginia
- Donna Byrd describes her early experiences of religion
- Donna Byrd describes her childhood activities
- Donna Byrd describes her earliest experience of racial discrimination
- Donna Byrd remembers James K. Polk Elementary School in Alexandria, Virginia
- Donna Byrd describes her early interest in gymnastics
- Donna Byrd recalls moving to Fort Bragg, North Carolina
- Donna Byrd describes her early entrepreneurialism
- Donna Byrd describes her education in Warrenton, Virginia
- Donna Byrd recalls moving to Heidelberg, Germany
- Donna Byrd remembers Heidelberg American High School in Heidelberg, Germany
- Donna Byrd describes her experiences as an African American in Germany
- Donna Byrd recalls visiting East Berlin, Germany
- Donna Byrd remembers the music of her teenage years
- Donna Byrd recalls her introduction to oratorical contests
- Donna Byrd recalls her student council position at Heidelberg American High School
- Donna Byrd recalls her decision not to attend the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York
- Donna Byrd recalls her decision to attend the University of Virginia
- Donna Byrd recalls her arrival at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia
- Donna Byrd remembers the Honor System at the University of Virginia
- Donna Byrd recalls founding the Nights of the Roundtable
- Donna Byrd remembers her mentors at the University of Virginia
- Donna Byrd reflects upon her time at the University of Virginia
- Donna Byrd recalls receiving the Gray Carrington award
- Donna Byrd recalls working for the Procter and Gamble Company
- Donna Byrd remembers the Fuqua School of Business in Durham, North Carolina
- Donna Byrd recalls studying at the University of Cape Town in Cape Town, South Africa
- Donna Byrd talks about the verdict of O.J. Simpson's trial
- Donna Byrd recalls her experiences of racial identity in South Africa
- Donna Byrd describes the optimism in South Africa after the fall of apartheid
- Donna Byrd recalls working for The Coca-Cola Company
- Donna Byrd recalls the development of the Dasani brand
- Donna Byrd recalls being denied a promotion at The Coca-Cola Company, pt. 1
- Donna Byrd recalls being denied a promotion at The Coca-Cola Company, pt. 2
- Donna Byrd remembers leaving The Coca-Cola Company
- Donna Byrd remembers working for EzGov, Inc.
- Donna Byrd recalls joining the staff of Black America Web
