We recently had the chance to connect with Chenadra Washington and have shared our conversation below.
Chenadra, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Would YOU hire you? Why or why not?
Absolutely. One of the things I’ve always operated in is being who I want to attract. Before I became a business owner, I was a great employee: reliable, innovative, and committed to growth. I’ve always led with integrity, kept a learning mindset, and operated with a high level of emotional intelligence. While I love the power of collaboration and teamwork, I’m equally suited for individual problem solving.
Over the years, I’ve been placed in many high-pressure situations and have consistently navigated them with excellence. I don’t just push through. I become a calming force, often helping the people around me adapt and find clarity in the midst of chaos. I show up with intention, accountability, and a people-first approach, and that’s the kind of person I’d hire without hesitation.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Chenadra Washington, and I’m the Founder of Black Orchids PR and the Editor-in-Chief of Her Voice Shines and HBCU Her Voice magazines. At my core, I help women be seen and heard. Whether it’s through personal brand strategy, media placement, podcast features, or storytelling, I create visibility pathways for women who are often doing incredible work behind the scenes.
What makes my brand unique is that I operate from a place of lived experience. I know what it feels like to shrink, to go unnoticed, and to wonder if your voice matters. That’s why everything I create is rooted in transformation, confidence, and community. I’ve been featured in dozens of media outlets, won numerous awards and accolades, and I’m proud to be recognized as a respected source in the areas of personal branding, visibility, and women’s empowerment. Yet, what I’m most proud of is how I help other women step into the spotlight without losing who they are.
Right now, I’m working on expanding both magazine platforms and building out the Her Voice Shines podcast, which is all about amplifying women’s stories around visibility, voice, and vulnerability. My mission is clear: if you’ve been quiet for too long, I’m here to help you change that.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
That will always go back to my grandfather. He was the blueprint. He showed me, not just in words but through action, that at the end of the day you figure it out. It doesn’t mean the road will be easy, but there’s something in me that doesn’t back down. Something in me that will always try, no matter how hard it gets.
I take pride in my work, and while I’ve created my own definition of success and carved a path that’s uniquely mine, the internal system I operate from—the discipline, the drive, the follow-through—those are direct seeds planted by him. His influence shaped not just how I work, but why I work the way I do.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
That we have to unpack our own journeys. Suffering taught me to sit with myself, to be still, and to look inward in ways that success never demanded. It was in the lower moments when God was the only source that my faith truly ignited. It was in the weary moments, when I felt empty, that I saw strength rise up in me.
Success can be loud and public, but suffering is quiet and personal. And yet, it’s in that quiet where some of the deepest transformations happen. I learned that resilience isn’t built in the spotlight. It’s forged in the shadows.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. I’m heavy on presence over just being present, and that will always transcend. For me, it’s all about intentionality: how I show up, how I make people feel, and the energy I bring into every space.
What may differ slightly is how I engage in different settings. I can be more reserved, not because I’m disconnected, but because I’m a listener. I spend a lot of time observing and taking things in. If asked, I’ll always say I’m a better listener than a speaker. That often surprises people who see me podcasting, speaking, or leading, and then meet the quieter, more reflective side of me. They find the dynamic interesting.
But what always remains intact is Chenadra. My presence. My integrity. My care for people. And my commitment to operating from a pure place on and off the stage.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
That we are all on a journey, and we’re all just one situation away from our lives changing forever. I’ve been fortunate enough to talk to people from all walks of life—those the world would label as “good,” “bad,” or somewhere in between. And through those conversations, I’ve gained a level of grounding I could never find in a book.
My lived experiences, paired with real-time insight into the journeys of others, have shaped the way I see the world. It’s made me more compassionate, more fluid, and more aware that life isn’t always about answers. It’s about understanding. That kind of perspective doesn’t come quickly, but once you have it, it never leaves you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.blackorchidspr.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chenadrawashington_/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chenadra-washington-163ba474/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077742212128
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HerVoiceShinesPodcast-q7f
Image Credits
Ulavia Photography
