Reel 360 News’ Reel Black List is more than just a month-long celebration—it’s a commitment to recognizing the impact of Black professionals in advertising, film, TV, music, radio, and media every single day of the year. In a time when DEI initiatives are being challenged and progress is at risk, it’s more important than ever to amplify the voices and contributions of Black creatives, leaders, and innovators who shape our industry. For the next 29 days, we’ll shine a spotlight on extraordinary individuals making an indelible mark with their talent, vision, and influence. But let’s be clear—Black excellence isn’t limited to February. It’s 365. Today, we feature multifaceted Day One Agency’s Senior Vice President, Randi White.
Randi White is an enthusiastic, strategic-thinking, and impact-driven senior leader with 17 years of experience building brands and successful teams, fostering lasting client relationships, and developing DEIB strategies that drive change. She is currently an SVP at award-winning Day One Agency focused on Strategy and DEIB, a role created for her based on her unparalleled passion for fostering a culture of belonging, integrating DEIB into all aspects of the business, and reimagining approaches to DEIB.
Prior to joining Day One, Randi worked at digital ad agencies overseeing top-tier brands across diverse categories—CPG, sports, automotive, fashion, beauty, and more. She seeks to challenge the status quo to encourage progress, impact culture, fuel creativity, and move the needle forward every day.
Let’s meet Randi!
What’s your Origin Story?
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, primarily living in Beverly Hills. I grew up in a tight-knit, multicultural, and proudly diverse family. We celebrate our differences as strengths with my parents and grandmothers who, for as long as I can remember, continuously motivated me to carve my own path and create my own story.
But most importantly, they taught me to write it down in pencil so I knew erasing and rewriting were not only possible but encouraged. They each defied expectations as women and men of color and changed courses throughout their lives and careers. It was not always just about the celebration of changes or differences, some of my fondest memories are of how our family came together over our shared love of art and creative expressions—from music to fashion to dance—uniting us all.
What did you want to be as a kid?
I always wanted to be both a lawyer and a fashion designer. I know, I know. Two very different careers that would be hard to juggle at once — one surrounding how much I know and follow the law, and the other that focuses on how many rules I could break and clothes that I could reimagine in order to make something new and uniquely my own. When it comes to fashion, I learned to sew at a young age so I could create outfits for my dolls and later, myself. I got my love for the law when I experienced discrimination in elementary school and learned about social injustice and wanted to be a part of a solution.
How did you choose your career path?
What’s interesting about my career in advertising and the creative industry is that it was never really a consideration. My undergraduate studies were business law and political science, but I chose the advertising industry while in my MBA program after a student who worked at a full-service advertising agency suggested I apply for their summer internship program to gain work experience. And just like that, I never left.
I stayed at my first agency for over seven years and worked my way up to a leadership position faster than any other employee at the time. I enjoyed the challenge of solving problems for different clients across many categories. Fast forward to the present day and I’m still enjoying the challenge of not just solving problems for our clients but for our team.
Describe your creative process.
My creative process starts with inspiration. I am involved in several volunteer groups, from reading to kids and leading arts and crafts projects on Saturdays to bringing communities together via local art installations and fairs to mentoring the next generation of creative professionals from Indigenous, Black and Brown, and queer communities.
These groups and the people we support inspire me to stay grounded in my “why,” which is to think bigger and focus on solutions and impact. When these communities are faced with challenges, I ensure we define the problem and our goals, keeping a laser focus on our mission and vision while helping to develop the most impactful solution.
I take this same approach professionally. I am always looking to solve problems, create and evolve ideas, and take opportunities to collaborate and co-create with people who expose me to a new way of thinking. These individuals can provide a different perspective which helps me build upon my ideas to make them stronger.
Who inspires you?
I’ll forever be inspired by my parents and grandmothers for their progressive and independent thinking. They are active in their communities and have fought for issues that impact others just as much (and as hard) as those directly impacting themselves. I learned the true definition and importance of humanity from them. A lesson I take with me not only personally, but professionally as I focus on leading with empathy and treating others as people before professionals.
I’m also very inspired by Maya Angelou for her unique ability to shine a spotlight on stories that need to be told and bring real, positive power to words. One of my favorite quotes of hers that I’ve taken with me everywhere is, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
The most unconventional risk you’ve taken in your career.
Removing myself from client work, and deviating from the traditional agency path, to take on a brand new role focused on our people and culture was a big risk, on many levels.
While I pride myself on being empathetic and authentic, this shift meant redefining how I measured success. I could no longer tie my impact directly to business metrics like organic growth, high-performing campaigns, or new business wins.
Instead, I had to trust that investing in people– fostering a culture of belonging, elevating underrepresented voices, and embedding DEIB into the agency’s DNA–would yield long-term business results. It was also a risk to pioneer a new role at the agency, to define something new, and continue to shape it as we grow and evolve.
It was a risk to lead with values over immediate, tangible KPIs, but the results have been undeniable. A stronger culture has fueled innovation, talent retention, and meaningful industry recognition. Our employee engagement has soared and the diverse perspectives have driven award-winning work. Ultimately, we’ve created a workplace where people can bring their whole selves, and that alone was worth the risk for me.
Give us a story that’s true but sounds like a lie.
You likely will not believe this, but I took care of a stranger’s 9-month-old baby and two siblings for practically eight hours while on a flight from New York to Paris. Wild, right? The passenger sitting next to me had three children all under the age of five or six. I noticed she was crying so I immediately asked her if I could help.
She only spoke French, so we could not communicate verbally, but she handed her baby (Jean Baptiste) to me, gave her other two children tablets, and went to the restroom. When she returned, she turned towards the other two children and almost instantly fell asleep! I still had her baby in my arms! I decided that a mother traveling alone with three kids all under six, deserved rest and should not be awakened. She also had a diaper bag filled with diapers, wipes, bottles, formula, etc. so I had everything Jean Baptiste needed.
I fed him, played with him, changed his diaper, and rocked him to sleep. I must admit that I wondered how a baby would fit into my girl’s trip to Paris! But, when we began our descent, the mother woke up, called me an angel in French, and thanked me profusely for taking care of her children. I’m happy that I was able to give her the rest and break she needed. I figured it was just about eight hours for me, but probably much more for her. I still think of Jean Baptiste and his siblings from time to time.
When faced with setbacks, what keeps you going?
Staying positive but realistic, and focusing on the bigger picture. No journey is easy or without obstacles, but I see these challenges as opportunities to learn more, grow faster, and remember to stay nimble and flexible.
Additionally, I reflect and focus on my “why”, so I’m grounded in the purpose behind what I do and the type of impact I want to have. I use that as motivation to stay or change the course. And, I stay mindful that it is a marathon that is not quick or perfect, but there’s always progress in the long run.
Linus has his blanket for comfort, you have…
Beautiful high heels! You read that right. They are my source of comfort, an expression of my style and mood, and confidence. And yes, they are comfortable to me! I have been wearing them since I was a little girl – each year asking my mom for a pair with a higher heel.
What’s on tap for 2025?
More proactive activism and community involvement. We need unity more than ever – not only when issues bubble up and come to a head. I am focused on action that’s conscious and proactive to do my small part to leave the world better for my twin nephews and then their kids and so on.
From a professional standpoint, I’m focused on maximizing impact with our team. We are evolving and elevating our strategy from Employee “Resource” Groups to Employee “Impact” Groups—transitioning from internal community building to continuous growth, empowerment, and impact both internally and externally.
We are maximizing our impact by seamlessly integrating EIGs into our business strategy and culture, keeping our team at the center of everything we do—fromour programs, events, and efforts celebrating our team’s unique stories, traditions, experiences, and intersectionality, to encouraging learning from one another, strengthening connections, empathy, and growth. We’re also providing more opportunities for team members of all levels to gain visibility and showcase their creativity and individuality.
And finally, we are increasing our collaboration with our external community through long-term partnerships with nonprofits, volunteering, recognition, and financial investment—both with donations and sponsorships.
Choose your character crush on Abbott Elementary.
Definitely Gregory. His facial expressions and quirks are priceless. I love that series soooo much. All of the characters are hilarious and perfect for their roles.
Twilight Zone Moment – you have a chance to be magically transported into a Spike Lee Joint or a Jordan Peele film. Choose.
Hands down, a Spike Lee Joint. I’m too afraid of horror movies to be transported to Jordan Peele’s films.
To see the up-to-date Reel Black List, click here.
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RBL celebrates, Nat Dixon, actress
