Destiny Outreach

Destiny Outreach Apprentice Darius Donald has truly blossomed during his placement at WVON — a space deeply woven into both his purpose and his family’s history. With both his uncle and sister connected to WVON, radio has always been a powerful force in his life.

Through the vision, leadership, and intentional training curated by Danita Patterson, Darius says he has learned professionalism on an entirely new level while discovering the true impact of storytelling, journalism, and representation.

“WVON has been the backbone and the voice of Black people in Chicago and it’s still building and rising. WVON is the definition of legacy.”

To now walk the same halls where Barack Obama once interned and to have the opportunity to capture moments as historic as the funeral of Jesse Jackson Jr. attended by President Obama himself was a full circle moment for Darius.

“Every time I walk inside this building, we’re making history.”

What makes the experience even more meaningful is the joy behind the work. Every day brings a new story, a new perspective, and a deeper passion for the craft.

“As a young Black man, I know this opportunity and this place will open doors for others like me and continue building the legacy of WVON.”

Destiny Outreach continues to create spaces where purpose meets preparation and where young leaders like Darius are empowered to turn opportunity into impact.

“I made my own opportunities and I saw it through. I did it for myself.”

Mia Kay Berry shared that her experience volunteering at the Hidden Figures Entertainment Summit was both inspiring and affirming. She valued the opportunity to be surrounded by individuals with prestigious backgrounds, expansive knowledge, and powerful personalities that deeply resonated with her own creative spirit and ambition.

Mia expressed gratitude for being able to experience the summit alongside friends like Kontour, where networking and connection became a shared source of growth and encouragement. She reflected on how meaningful it is to have a rich and supportive community that pours back into one another through opportunities, wisdom, and genuine support.

Mia described the energy of the summit as fast paced, exciting, and filled with momentum. As someone who is multi passionate and creatively driven, she found herself connecting with professionals across multiple industries and disciplines. The experience reinforced her belief that film and entertainment can elevate careers in unexpected ways and create pathways far beyond one lane.

She shared how even connecting with chefs during the summit opened doors for her to volunteer at a culinary event, where she excelled and immediately received another opportunity while already in the room. For Mia, the experience became proof that networking creates a chain of opportunity, and every meaningful connection has the potential to lead to something greater.

Mia shared that being in these environments continues to strengthen her optimism, confidence, and belief in what is possible for her future. She loved every moment of the experience and looks forward to doing it all again.

Ethan Yung brought his background in sound mixing for live staged events to volunteer at the Hidden Figures Entertainment Summit, where he quickly discovered the true power of networking and connection.

Encouraged by another volunteer, Ethan stepped out of his comfort zone and connected with featured panelist Matthew Ferrante, SVP of Physical Production at Paramount Pictures, with credits including The Cloverfield Paradox and Action Point.

Hearing the journeys, experiences, and wisdom shared throughout the summit deeply inspired Ethan. He reflected on how the event taught him that success does not follow one narrow path and that every individual story carries its own purpose and trajectory.

We are proud to see Ethan continue growing, learning, and building meaningful connections within the entertainment industry. The future is bright.