We had the good fortune of connecting with Ernanda White and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ernanda, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
Wow. Given the current landscape, we are now living in and thinking back over the last two years since the Pandemic, I have been so amazed at the levels of strength, resilience, and courage I have seen in people facing so many challenges during these most difficult times.

Equally faced with my own set of adversities, both business and personal; I looked inward at ways that I could learn from this chaos and develop a broader and more in-depth understanding of how I can reach out to support others who lack systems of support. What helped me was being transparent and open to new experiences and making new connections to people personally and professionally- in the new digital world.

As humans, we yearn for freedom and adventure with social and emotional interaction! We love strong bonds and intimate conversations. But who has a contingency plan for canceled social-emotional connections?

During and after those pandemic events, my outlook on planning changed. I vowed to never take for granted a friend who couldn’t make an invite, a business meeting that never happened or an opportunity missed. And because of this, I opened my mind to the possibility of “what if”. What if I miss the appointment?, what if I miss the business goal? What if my plans don’t go through? I learned that framing my thoughts into this question allowed me to keep going despite the obstacles, despite the barriers, despite the change.

Actually, it gave me the motivation to keep going! It inspired me to keep dreaming! Keep believing! Put in the work, stay in the game- patiently waiting until the breakthrough happens. Stay present and positive in the moment. You’ll see results. That’s when you know you never give up.

In honor of Black History Month here’s a quote from Langston Hughes Writer, Screenplay, Poet for inspiration to keep going or give up.. it has been redacted from his poem, “Harlem… A Dream Deferred” where he questions giving up or to keep going…
“What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?

Stand firm as you dream. Never give up.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Black Girls Drone Inc. is a Drone Edtech startup platform experience providing drone literacy through digital platforms for hands-on flight training to empower women and girls from underserved communities with drone workforce technology education.

Our Black Girls Drone program brings together volunteers drone engineers and early as seventh-grade, young women of color for mentorship, computer science fundamentals, software engineering coding workshops, and exposure to drone opportunities. We do this so that they may develop an interest in Drone STEM Engineering, Aviation, Aerospace, and hopefully aspire to careers in the field, all while building the transferable and functional skills that will help make them successful industry professionals.

Black Girls Drone supports female BIPOC aspirants from job search to hire. We do more than fly drones!

We’re most proud and excited about the amazing partnerships that we have made throughout our launch in 2020. We set out to serve students locally but ended up on a global mission sharing our drone programming content as far as Canada, Africa Ireland, India, and reached students in neighboring states Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, and now Pennsylvania Virginia, and Massachusetts!

Hey, I was laid off at the onset of the pandemic. Used all of my savings to start my business and run it full time! I stayed up late and rise early and still do so many nights writing business plans, budgets, proposals, grants looking for funding, developing my work by researching and practicing my flying skills, and learning about the whole industry–It was not easy- it still is not easy! I have heard NO so many times! But I kept studying, keep striving, keeping the faith, and building something great something that I can envision in a world where the opportunity is possible and needed by so many. Thankfully some really amazing people and organizations believed in me and saw our vision and shared that vision by helping me with guidance and support.

I have learned to be patient and humble. Have a good work ethic. Trust your gut. Build relationships. Get a few mentors. I have learned to overcome the challenges learn the lesson in it and always think of the outcome. Begin with the outcome in mind. I think about what does this like look 3 years from now? The drone industry is steadily evolving and there is so much to capture, The drone multi-billion-dollar industry is lots of opportunities for innovation. I believe that staying abreast of the emerging technologies and studying the technologies you are most interested in, although challenging can be your reward!~

I’m studying cloud computing and cloud engineering. I’ve taken coding and learning Python. I have immersed myself now into learning game development- which is a new platform we will be introducing this year. (Thanks to our technology platform partner Construct3) We’re teaching students how to use drone mapping software thanks to our wonderful partners at DroneDeploy! Our students deserve to learn the best tools of the trade and it takes a village – no -an army of folks who believe in you to carry out that mission!

I’ve learned that no two days are the same in business and that what works today may not be tomorrow or in the future!

I believe in the power of forgiveness and acceptance, for myself and others add a few sprinkles of resilience and a dash of bravery and courage- there you have the beginning of a recipe for success! Can’t forget risks- they help you fail fast!

I’d say to anyone who is thinking about starting a business- just start! It’s never going to be perfect. There never is a right time. Don’t overthink it, take the leap of faith and dive in! You never know where you might land!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love the Bishop Arts area, I love Grandscape in Frisco and hanging out at Klyde Warren Park!

Good times, music, and food can be had in Deep Ellum, Especially at the Free Man Cajun Lounge!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Big Thought! Sergio is amazing and has been a great shoulder of support! They have been there with me from day one!

Dedicating this to my Mom, Black history Game Changers, Movers, and Makers. The work that they did pave the way for the next generations to be fearless leaders and rep our cities, neighborhoods, and communities, inspiring STEM and leadership. I am forever grateful, humbled, and honored.

Please support Black-owned businesses!

Read Langstone Hughes Poem, “Harlem, A Dream Deferred”, and Watch Lorrain Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun” with Sidney Poitier!

Website: https://www.blackgirlsdrone.org

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ernanda-white

Twitter: Twitter.com/GirlsDrone

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackGirlsDrone

Other: onepager.vc/black-girls-drone-inc

Image Credits
BlackGirlsDrone/ErnandaWhite

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