We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Donna Oriowo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Donna, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
There is generally not a single most important decision that will contribute to long-term or over arching success. However, this question does have me considering that asking for help will determine how far you go. There is an African proverb that says something akin to “if you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together.” A business is not likely something you start just to go fast, but because you want longevity. Having a supportive group of knowledgeable people in your corner can help you to not only move a bit faster, but offer you support in moments where you might falter. I have a beautiful support system that includes my partner, my family, and some women I came across in this business building that have become some of my very best friends. Being self-aware and vulnerable enough to know you don’t know everything, and to ask for help, has been one of the best decisions I have made for myself.

What should our readers know about your business?
My private practice called, AnnodRight, is a therapy practice in the Washington DC metro area, dedicated to helping Black women be spiritually free, emotionally aware, mentally well, sexually pleasure centered, and themselves and all their melanated glory! The AnnodRight difference is that on one end, the therapy end, we work as a collective team using our collective varying knowledge and expertise to help each client. While a client is assigned to the best therapist for them, they never have to miss out on what another therapist might know to be helpful. So it’s like getting several therapist for the price of one. And while we have our expertise in how colorism and textualism impact mental and sexual health, we are not neglecting how the world around us impacts the mental health of Black women who are at the intersection of dealing with racism as well as sexism. So the other arm of AnnodRight, and the separate Dr. Donna Oriowo brand, is about advocating for the well-being of Black women. Some of that work is through the workshops and masterclasses that we offer directly to Black women, and some of that is from corporate consulting, training and workshops that we offer around DEI education with a program we call The Darker the Berry: Exploring Power, Identity,& Humility.

I get excited talking about mental & sexual health and racial justice. And despite doing some thing that I love, none of this was easy. There is a certain mental toughness (and really good boundaries) you have to develop in order to have a business and run it your way. So many people told me that I should not focus on Black women or their problems in building this business. But I could not see how I would forgo helping the people I love most in this world and telling them to deal with their shit on their own. I learned that being authentic and true to yourself and to your values is important in anything that you pursue or build. If you can’t be you when you do it, the cost is too high.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Whew! First I would have to set expectations. Lol. I can show them as good a time as they are willing to have according to my definition of a good time. I would take them to downtown DC so that they can experience the sites, smells, and sensations of the nations capital. I would take them to the National Gallery, the African American History museum, and to some great places to eat in D.C.– I do love Busboys & Poets and I would have to take them to one of my favorite carry out spots to get chicken with mumbo sauce I would want to take them to one of my favorite spas. But more than anything, I would want to spend quality time with them. Being everywhere in the city can be fun, for sure, but I tend to be more of a homebody and just wanna spend time with friends, talking, eating, and enjoying each others company.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate this shoutout to my business besties who pour into me daily: Dr. Melissa Robinson-Brown, Dr. Ajita Robinson, and Dr. Joy Harden Bradford.

Website: annodright.com and donnaoriowo.com

Instagram: instagram.com/annodright

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/donnaoriowo

Twitter: twitter.com/drdonnaoriowo

Facebook: facebook.com/annodright

Other: The Darker the Berry program page: https://www.donnaoriowo.com/speaking Cocoa Butter and Hair grease book: https://www.annodright.com/shopcocoa

Image Credits
Many of the photos were taken by a company called: WhatsGrit

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