Purpose in Motion: My Journey with State of the People
When movements meet strategy, and vision meets purpose, transformation happens.
That’s exactly what State of the People represents: a collective of leaders, strategists, and storytellers committed to reclaiming narratives, mobilizing communities, and building the infrastructure for lasting change. I’m proud to serve as a National Team Member of this dynamic movement — helping to shape both the message and the method as we bring State of the People TV and The Signal LIVE to audiences across the nation.
Launching The Signal LIVE — Amplifying Voices That Matter
As part of the National Team, I’ve had the honor of supporting the creative development, communications, and production strategy behind The Signal LIVE, the flagship program of State of the People TV.
This groundbreaking weekly show isn’t just content — it’s a platform for truth, justice, and community power. It was built to center the voices that are too often left out of mainstream narratives, giving space for authentic dialogue on democracy, equity, and the future of our communities.
Working alongside visionaries like Angela Rye, Karen Finney, Dr. David Johns, Pastor Mike, Bishop Leah Daughtry, and Monique Pressley, our team has created something that doesn’t just report on the state of our people — it reflects it.
Leading the Newark Stop of the State of the People Power Tour
One of my proudest moments with the organization has been leading the Newark stop of the State of the People Power Tour — an unforgettable gathering that brought together local leaders, organizers, artists, and residents to talk about what community power really looks like.
Newark — a city with deep roots of resilience and renaissance — was the perfect place to host conversations about economic empowerment, civic engagement, and storytelling for social change.
As we’ve continued this tour across the country, I’ve also worked to be a resource and thought partner for other city stops, ensuring that each local team had the strategy, structure, and storytelling support needed to make their event impactful and authentic to their community.
Setting the Stage at the Congressional Black Caucus
In addition to the tour, I was honored to help lead the State of the People’s presence at the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference — a critical space for movement-building, media visibility, and coalition growth.
From coordinating panels and on-the-ground activations to shaping how State of the People showed up during one of the most influential gatherings of Black leadership in the nation, our goal was clear:
to make sure our people were not only in the room — but leading the conversation.
Purpose, Not Position
This work aligns deeply with my life’s mission: Purpose Not Position™.
Whether it’s a boardroom, a community space, or a production set — leadership is about service, alignment, and intentional impact. The work we’re doing through State of the People is proof that when we align purpose with strategy, we can build platforms that not only inform, but inspire and mobilize.
I’m grateful to be part of a movement that doesn’t just talk about change — it builds the infrastructure to sustain it.
Desiree Peterkin Bell, leads a global boutique Public Affairs firm, DPBell & Associates, that leads movements not moments.
WHO WE ARE
Desiree Peterkin Bell, founder of DPBell & Associates, has been at the forefront of significant issues, policies and strategies that impact various constituencies on a local, national and international level for over 20 years, and has served in various positions in every level of government. She is a strategist and brand builder who strives to identify, create, and leverage traditional and nontraditional media, and define strategies that work. In recognition of Desiree’s efforts, she has been honored as one of the industry’s best and brightest by PR Week’s “40 under 40″; as a ‘Shorty Award’ winner; by the Philadelphia Tribune as “One of Philadelphia’s Most Influential African-American Women”; by Black Enterprise as a “triple threat”, and by Philadelphia Business Journal as a “40 under 40” recipient.