Passing the Mic: How a Dayton Mother-Daughter Duo is Bridging the Generational Gap on the Raised By Her Podcast

Media trailblazer Ro Nita Hawes-Saunders and public affairs CEO Donnica Hawes-Saunders team up to share wisdom, challenge perspectives, and amplify opportunity.

Raised by Her hosts Donnica Hawes-Saunders and Ro Nita Hawes-Saunders

DAYTON, OH — In a world where generational divides often dominate the headlines, one Dayton-born mother-daughter duo is proving that connection, legacy, and shared wisdom are the ultimate keys to growth.

Donnica Hawes-Saunders, a millennial founder and corporate affairs executive, has teamed up with her mother, Ro Nita Hawes-Saunders, a highly respected executive leadership coach and former CEO of the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC), to launch Raised By Her. The video and audio podcast is a candid, heartfelt, and humorous exploration of leadership, identity, and the lessons passed down through generations.

For the hosts, the podcast is more than a creative outlet, it is a continuation of a family legacy of leadership and media in the Miami Valley. Ro Nita Hawes-Saunders made history as one of fewer than ten African American women in the United States to build and own a successful radio broadcasting company before leading DCDC through 18 years of global acclaim. Donnica, a former Capitol Hill staffer, national lobbyist, and the Founder and CEO of public affairs firm The Averity Group, represents the next generation of leadership, shaping national conversations on equity and policy.

Now, they are sitting down at the same microphone to unpack the stories and culture that shape us.

"We wanted to create a space where millennial drive meets seasoned executive wisdom," says Donnica Hawes-Saunders. "Raised By Her is about the wisdom we inherit, the beliefs we challenge, and realizing that every generation has something vital to teach the other."

While the podcast has quickly garnered national and international listeners, its heart remains in Dayton. The co-hosts are using their new platform to broaden opportunities for others in the region.

"Dayton has always been a city of innovators and community builders," says Ro Nita Hawes-Saunders. "We’d love to be able to collaborate with other local businesses, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to help the region continue to be heard, celebrated, and remembered."

To foster deeper engagement, Raised By Her is inviting Miami Valley business owners and organization leaders to submit proposals to join the podcast as guest interviewees.

Interested parties can submit their proposals and social media links directly through raisedbyherpodcast.com.

https://youtu.be/n_uhHtyNPpE?si=7JE1QHX9f3P0uSnZ