Renae L. Bluitt - She Did That

WRITTEN BY DAWN ANDERSON | COURTESY PHOTOS

Los Angeles-based storyteller, podcaster, and advocate for Black women entrepreneurs Renae L. Bluitt will be the keynote speaker for the Diverse Entrepreneurship Summit (DES) in Louisville taking place June 3-4. Bluitt created and executive produced the documentary She Did That., featuring Black women founders, their personal stories, and topics relevant to building a sustaining and successful business.

While building her public relations consultancy, Bluitt developed a passion for advocating for the accurate presentation of Black women in the media. Through her blog, In Her Shoes, she gained insight into how she might share their personal narratives with wider audiences. “I call this my “She Did That.” moment and it happened a couple of years following the launch of In Her Shoes Blog. I was featured in a onepage ESSENCE Magazine advertorial for Pantene! As a PR strategist, it was the first time I was featured in a national publication for my work and unique presence in the blogosphere. It definitely made me feel both successful and seen.”

Although making the leap from blogging to filmmaking might seem daunting, Bluitt was encouraged and undeterred. “The response to the blog was overwhelming and showed me that there was an appetite for content about Black women entrepreneurs. After years of blogging and introducing my readers to women building brands and legacies across the globe, I curated a photography exhibit featuring 25 founders in the spaces where they create their magic. The success of the exhibit told me that it was time to take my storytelling to the next level. A full-length documentary centering the Black woman’s entrepreneurial journey didn’t exist, and I knew I was the person to create it.” She Did That. is available through multiple streaming services including Amazon Prime Video.

Bluitt’s ambition was originally fueled by her grandfather, an entrepreneur in Indiana in the 1970s, and her father who followed in his footsteps. “Seeing them build their own tables and provide for their loved ones through our family business showed me what was possible. They normalized entrepreneurship for me and also allowed me to view it through a very clear lens. Since a young age, I’ve been aware of the peaks and valleys of running a business. I also learned quite early how important it is for us to build legacies in our community.”

Despite the unprecedented challenges of the last few years, Black women are leveling up and making great strides even in the highest echelons of power. “Seeing women like Kamala Harris and Ketanji Brown Jackson take up space in environments that traditionally haven’t included or even welcomed us is a beautiful reminder of what we deserve and what we’re capable of. This type of representation gives us permission to show up and show out in new rooms. When Black women win, we all win.”

Her new film series, She Did That. Short Stories, celebrates brilliant entrepreneurs, creators, and innovators, giving an up close and personal look at how they are approaching entrepreneurship in a post-pandemic world. “I produced the first three episodes in partnership with Chase’s Advancing Black Pathways. The first episode kicks off with Kalilah Wright of Mess In a Bottle and follows her life as a mother, founder, and Black woman about her business in Baltimore, Maryland. I’m also curating a She Did That. shopping experience June 22-23 at L.A.’s Beverly Center in partnership with Maison Black and The Black Fashion Movement. The event will feature 10 of my favorite Black women-owned brands from the East to the West and give founders an opportunity to build valuable connections in the luxury retail space.”

Bluitt is excited to share her story at DES 2022. “My remarks at the Diverse Entrepreneurship Summit will be about a recent, personal experience that I believe will be the precursor to my personal evolution as I take on a new chapter in my life and career. The takeaway? Feel the fear and do it anyway. I want everyone in the room to know that if I did that, they can do it, too.”

Purchase DES 2022 tickets at desummit.org. Visit shedidthat.com and follow @iamrenaebluitt on Instagram.