Biography
Chicago native, Danita Patterson, strategically framed her 23-year journey with a vision. While other students at Northwestern University mapped out the perfect career, Danita's destiny was designed from a young age that armed her with diverse talents in performing arts and business; Danita laid the foundation for what has become her House of Destiny. As a producer/writer, singer/songwriter, actress/model, speaker/teacher she smartly plotted a course that exposed her to multi-facets of the entertainment business both in front of and behind the camera. By doing so, she has worked with some of the most influential African American pioneers in family entertainment and the media business, like Will Smith, Quincy Jones, Tim Reid, Blair Underwood and Les Brown.
Danita's production credits and development work include more than 120 episodes of television programming for ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX and Tribune Entertainment/WGN networks. Her diverse broadcast experience has ranged from prime-time sitcoms, music specials and awards shows to documentary and feature films.
The bedrock of her career flourished when she quickly became known as the "can-do" woman of production in the area of affiliate, syndication and network programming. She worked closely with Central City Productions, who was partnered with Tribune Broadcasting. Working her way up from production assistant to producer, her credits over a ten year span included: gospel industry's prestigious Stellar of Awards (ABC, NBC), Celebrate the Soul of American Music (KTLA), Family Night holiday special hosted by Gladys Knight and Nancy Wilson (KTLA), Windy City Celebration Special with Lou Rawls (WGN), Minority Business Report public affairs series (WGN), Know Your Heritage game show (WGN), and the annual televised Bud Billiken Parade (WGN). Working as an apprentice at ABC/WLS-TV in Chicago, Danita worked as an assistant to producer on WLS-Presents with Janet Davies public affairs show (ABC), Youth-At-Risk documentary (ABC) and produced thirteen episodes of Face-to-Face with Vernon Jarrett (ABC).
During her stint at ABC Danita met the creator/producer of The Essence Awards, Valerie Norman-Gammon. After observing Valerie pitch high-quality show ideas to network executives, Danita was inspired to create and develop programming. Seeing the impressive creative and communication skills Danita possessed, Valerie quickly made her an offer she couldn't refuse making Danita a part of the team at her production company, now Amethyst Entertainment. This move allowed Danita to add The Essence Awards, (FOX) Classic Black, The Cancun Jazz Festival, Singsation (CBS) and Christmas Glory (FOX) to her repertoire of production credits through the years.
Turning her sights to a global platform, Danita moved to Hollywood and landed her first primetime network job with NBC on the sitcom, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air for two seasons (56 episodes). Her spirit of excellence, eye on developing content, and ability to "make things happen" caught the attention of actor, Will Smith. He later hired her as his first Director of Development of Will Smith Enterprises and Administrative Manager, proving to be a great asset to his brand and organization.
Garnering priceless experience working for a #1 sitcom and a multi-media platform talent and brand like, Smith, empowered Danita to consult with other artists and production companies, like Tim Reid and Blair Underwood. Danita continued her work in production, and furthered her pursuits in the area of creative development and social entrepreneurship.
Converging what she mastered over the years, Danita launched Destiny Unlimited, Inc. ®, a family entertainment company that creates, develops, and produces innovative film, TV, and new media content. Danita currently oversees a new slate of original TV/Film projects in development, primed for an international market.
Recently, Danita co-produced the award-winning documentary film, Soulmate, served as advising consultant on star-studded Bible Experience audio project, and consulted with the Walt Disney Company. Danita was featured on Fox News Channel's "Beyond The Dream" segment, which aired internationally.
