From Chicago to Kansas City, Dorissa White Redefines Storytelling Through Community and Representation

Image Credit: Dorissa White (Instagram)

Dorissa White, a lifestyle reporter and motivational speaker, is shaking things up in the journalism industry with her genuine approach, focus on representation and community-driven storytelling.

With over 200,000 followers on TikTok, she’s making the most of digital platforms to amplify her voice.

Her journey showcases a new wave in journalism, where personal stories and digital engagement hold just as much weight as the traditional reporting you’d find in a newsroom. Through her work at KMBC 9 News and her expanding social media presence, she's effectively merging the old with the new while keeping authenticity front and center.

Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, White struggled to find role models in journalism who resembled her.

“I wanted to make a difference and challenge the norms,” White said. “I wanted to be a voice in my community.”

Her passion sparked back in high school, where she wrote a monthly column for a student magazine and made daily announcements.

“I like to talk. I’ve always been a yapper,” White laughed. “As a kid, I would pretend to hold a microphone and act like a reporter.”

White's involvement in Columbia Links, a complex summer journalism program in Chicago, which she attended both in 2009 and 2010 before college, solidified her career path in media.

Professional standards and real-world expectations guided the program's operations. 

"Columbia Links, what they did was act like you were a real journalist. You talk about real issues," White said. 

Investigating and reporting on important local issues impacting their community was the task given to the participants. White spent the summer conducting interviews, gathering materials, and honing her extensive reporting skills for her project, which was on gang violence in Chicago.

Throughout the program, students received mentoring from seasoned journalists who helped them "flow the story along."

It turned out to be a life-changing event. White had a defined career path by the time she left for college.

“That’s when I realized I wanted to be a reporter,” White said.

More than just a summer program, Columbia Links was White's introduction to professional journalism, complete with the accountability of reporting on complex social topics and the resources required to craft those stories successfully. In line with White's ambition to speak up for her community, the program's focus on addressing "real issues" laid the groundwork for her future career as a lifestyle reporter who isn't scared to cover difficult stories when they are most important.

After finishing college, she moved to New York City and spent almost a decade as an entertainment reporter.

“Interviewing Tyler Perry was a big deal for me,” White said. “I grew up with his plays and Madea, so sitting down with him was an incredible experience.”

The pandemic shifted her career path, steering her toward humanitarian aid and marketing. Still, her passion for journalism never faded.

“Every experience matters,” White said. “Making that shift gave me the live television experience I wanted to sharpen my skills.”

Although her primary title is lifestyle reporter, White also highlights stories affecting marginalized communities.

One of White's most memorable reporting experiences came while she was working for KMBC 9 News, where she covered displaced residents of Section 8, whose apartment building had been condemned by the fire department.

With just temporary hotel rooms as their only option, the occupants were compelled to leave their homes within 48 hours, which presented an impossible situation. The narrative struck a strong chord with White, who was raised amid poverty on Chicago's South Side.

"I grew up poor, but I also think that there are different levels to poverty, and these people had nothing," White said. “They’re the most vulnerable among us, and being their voice means a lot to me.”

White's larger journalistic principle that journalists have an obligation to act as advocates for underrepresented groups is best illustrated by this reportage. More than just news coverage, the article shows her dedication to using journalism as a vehicle for community service and social awareness, especially for individuals dealing with systemic issues and housing instability.

White saw the encounter as a turning point in her time in Kansas City, demonstrating how local journalism can be an essential lifeline for the most marginalized members of society.

In addition to her reporting, White is a motivational speaker, widely recognized for her TEDx talk on being authentic in the digital era.

“Authentic energy transforms,” White said. “We all came into this world with gifts no one can copy. When you connect with yourself and God, those gifts will come out, allowing you to build a career around them.”

Her social media presence embodies that philosophy. With 204.1K followers on TikTok, she runs a series called Food for Thought, where she shares insights based on her personal experiences.

“People realize they’re not alone,” she said. “Even if they can’t articulate what they're feeling, knowing that someone else is going through the same thing really validates their emotions.”

White aspires to blend her broadcast career with her online audience, viewing social media as a way to broaden her influence.

“I don’t want to just yap on TikTok anymore,” White said. “I want to find a way to connect my TikTok presence with my career so that people can see both sides of my work.”

If there's one piece of advice she gives, it’s to learn to go with the flow.

“When you detach, you get everything,” White said. “If you keep your intentions clear but release the need for control, God shows you the right people, opportunities and events that will lead you to your greater purpose.”

She believes this mindset helps keep her grounded, even when facing challenges.

Now nearing the end of her contract in Kansas City, she hinted at a potential move but hasn’t disclosed any details yet.

Her future plans include expanding her YouTube channel, monetizing her content and continuing to evolve as a journalist and speaker.

“When you start tapping into your gifts, God will guide you to abundance,” White said. “We all have divine gifts, and the sooner you discover them, the sooner you’ll see the path to your purpose.”

White’s story is one of perseverance, authenticity and vision. From a high school student making announcements in Chicago to a reporter amplifying voices in Kansas City, she represents the very diversity she once yearned for. As she moves into her next chapter, White continues to redefine storytelling not just as a job, but as a calling rooted in faith, authenticity and the belief that every experience contributes to a bigger narrative.