In the vibrant landscape of South African social entrepreneurship, Bernie Theunissen was already making waves. As the founder of Honeycomb Social Impact (HSI), she had dedicated her life to eradicating period poverty, a cause deeply personal to her. But Bernie’s journey was about to take an unexpected turn – from sewing machines to turntables, from writing proposals to dropping beats.
Bernie’s story begins with her own experiences of period poverty as a young girl. Those challenging times ignited a passion that led her to establish HSI, an organization committed to providing sustainable menstrual solutions and education to disadvantaged communities. Her innovative “Hip2BHerJEDI” program was making strides, but Bernie felt there was still a missing piece in reaching a wider audience.
The epiphany came during a corporate fundraising event. As Bernie watched the hired DJ energize the crowd, she realized the power of music to connect people. In that moment, DJ BernieT was born – not just as a persona, but as a mission.
Determined to amplify her message, Bernie threw herself into learning the art of DJing with the same passion she applied to her social enterprise. Late nights were split between perfecting her mixing skills and refining HSI’s impact strategies. Every beat she learned to drop was matched by a girl she envisioned staying in school.
The transition wasn’t easy, but DJ BernieT’s unique blend of entertainment and social impact quickly gained traction. Her breakthrough came at SocialTV’s Best Practice-Results-Achievement-Gathering, where her set not only got attendees dancing but also sparked meaningful conversations about period poverty. This success was followed by a show-stopping performance at the International Film Festival for Nature Conservation, where she seamlessly integrated environmental themes with her period poverty awareness message.
As DJ BernieT, she found innovative ways to weave HSI’s message into her sets. Between tracks, she’d share compelling statistics about period poverty. Her unique “impact interludes” became a signature, transforming standard corporate events into powerful platforms for awareness and action.
What sets DJ BernieT apart is her comprehensive understanding of both worlds – the nuanced challenges of period poverty and the pulse of a great party. This dual expertise allows her to craft experiences that are as informative as they are entertaining, as impactful as they are invigorating.
Today, DJ BernieT stands as a symbol of innovative social entrepreneurship. Her journey from behind the sewing machine to behind the decks represents the kind of creative thinking needed to tackle complex social issues. She’s not just changing the conversation about period poverty; she’s changing the beat to which that conversation dances.
Looking ahead, DJ BernieT is set to make waves at the upcoming 1000Women in Business event, a part of Women’s Day celebrations. This high-profile gig promises to be a powerful fusion of female empowerment, business networking, and social impact – all set to DJ BernieT’s signature beats.
Booking DJ BernieT for a corporate event isn’t just hiring entertainment – it’s joining a movement. It’s an opportunity to transform a standard gathering into a catalyst for change, where every track played contributes to breaking down barriers for girls and women across South Africa.
As she steps up to the decks, headphones on and fingers poised over the mixer, DJ BernieT embodies the perfect fusion of purpose and party. In her world, every drop is an opportunity to lift someone up, and every beat is a step towards a more equitable future.
Choose DJ BernieT for your next event, and let the rhythm of change flow through your organization. Because when social impact meets sick beats, that’s when real revolutions begin.
