Donita Russell, born and raised in Chicago and Calumet Park, defied expectations by pursuing higher education while juggling motherhood and a full-time job. At just 22, she began renovating her first home, discovering her passion for making spaces beautiful. This passion led her to establish Divine Xpectations, LLC, a company initially focused on event planning but later expanded to interior design. Alongside her husband, Donita ventured into real estate, successfully flipping properties for profit. Today, they lead a Facebook community called The Renovation Room with 30,000 members, promoting knowledge sharing and business development in construction, real estate, and related fields. They've also founded an association dedicated to providing support and opportunities, particularly for women, in the construction industry. Donita Russell's story exemplifies resilience, entrepreneurship, and empowerment for women in construction.

Statement:

Traditionally, construction has been perceived as a male-dominated field. Highlighting women, especially African American women, in this industry serves as inspiration. It breaks down gender and racial stereotypes, paving the way for greater acceptance and participation.