Derek Vitatoe

Director of Creative Initiatives and Projects

Derek Vitatoe is a California native, currently serving as a Human Resources executive for a major clothing brand. He is also a producer, director, and screenwriter currently based in Harlem, NYC.As a gifted writer, he has also authored three novels, produced and directed several short films along with his first feature film, Forsaken Son. He holds a B.S.in Sociology from Eastern Michigan University and an M.S. in Human Resources from Center Michigan University.

Derek maintains a desire to be an inspiration to those who genuinely believe that anything is possible through believing in oneself. As a talented athlete and sports enthusiast, Vitatoe excelled at running between the numbers on a football field, making diving catches on the baseball diamond, and handing off a baton on the track since the age of six. It is through organized sports where Vitatoe credits his acquired, life-long qualities of determination, dedication, desire, and discipline which has allowed him to excel on the field as a collegiate athlete and in corporate America as an HR professional.

Additionally, as a passionate storyteller, Derek intends to bring stories to life in meaningful ways and use his creativity to highlight and promote the awareness of fibroids and other female related challenges. He strives to bring forth initiatives that encourage the education and support from men to advocate and get behind the great work of the White Dress Project. Derek knows firsthand what support looks like as he traveled alongside his wife, Broyny, during her fibroid journey with two myomectomy surgeries. He believes that no one should have to deal with these complications alone and hopes to empower partners to not take a back seat in the fibroid awareness movement.