Meet DAndre J. Herron, Detroit To LA

Today we’d like to introduce you to DAndre J. Herron.

Hi DAndre, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started in Detroit, Michigan. That’s where I was born and raised, and where much of my early perspective was shaped. After graduating high school in 2014, I found myself in a very dark and uncertain place. In September of that year, my childhood friend Devon’s life was tragically cut short, and the weight of that loss hit me hard. I was battling depression, trying to navigate my future while also processing a deep personal tragedy.

A few months later, in October or November of 2014, my mother encouraged me to get away for a bit and clear my head. That led me to California, specifically Los Angeles, to stay with my cousin. That change of scenery — that shift in energy — helped me in ways I didn’t fully understand at the time. Being in LA opened my eyes. It made me realize that life was so much bigger than just my neighborhood back in Detroit.

I also began to understand that pain, struggle, and resilience weren’t exclusive to me or my city. There were kids in LA who had been through similar experiences, trying to survive, trying to dream beyond their circumstances too. That connection grounded me.

Since then, LA has become a second home to me — not just physically, but creatively and spiritually. It’s been a source of inspiration as I’ve grown into the entrepreneur and author I am today. Whether it’s the culture, the hustle, or just the energy of the city, LA continues to push me to expand my vision.

Over the years, I’ve traveled back and forth between Detroit and LA on my journey. I’ve launched my own tech company, ERD Technology, and self-published four books as an independent author. My writing has been inspired by my life, my environment, and my mental health journey — I speak with transparency and truth from my lived experiences. And as a business owner, I’ve worked to build something that not only sustains me, but also uplifts and supports others in my community.

Where I am today is the result of pain, growth, creativity, and resilience — and LA has played a powerful role in that. It’s been a place of healing and a canvas for vision. I’ll always carry Detroit with me, but LA helped me stretch further and dream louder.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all — it’s been far from a smooth road. One of the hardest chapters of my life began right after I turned 18 in August 2014. Just a month later, in September, I lost my childhood friend Devon.

His death completely altered the reality I once knew. It put my mind into a state of shock, and it became the beginning of my struggle with PTSD. The grief hit me hard and fast, and at that age, I had no idea how to process the pain or who to even talk to about it.

Then just a few months later, in January 2015, I lost my cousin Gibby. That loss pushed me even deeper into a dark hole I was already struggling to climb out of. I was battling depression, overwhelming anger, and I could sometimes become violent when I was triggered. I was hurt, confused, and trying to make sense of it all while still growing into adulthood. There was no roadmap for what to do when you lose people who were that close to your heart. It was hard to explain and even harder to talk about.

But over time, something in me began to shift. Around 2017 to 2018, I started to slowly get back on my feet. I enrolled in community college back in Detroit, found a job, and started rebuilding. I began saving money with the goal of flying back to L.A. to visit my cousins, and that became a motivation tool for me. Knowing I had something to look forward to kept me focused. I was working with purpose, and that helped me reclaim my balance and rebuild my mindset.

These struggles and breakthroughs were part of what I poured into my first book, The Philosophy and Poetry of D’Andre J. Herron Pt. 1. Writing became a way to process the pain, but also to document the growth — mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Perseverance and resilience became more than words to me — they became tools I had to master just to survive. And they’ve shaped who I am today.

That period in my life gave birth to the foundation of everything I do now — from my work as an independent author to my collaborative projects in L.A. with local entrepreneurs and artists. The pain was real, but so was the purpose that came from it.

And looking back now, I realize that even the hardest roads can lead to powerful destinations.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I wear a few different hats, but at the core, I’m a creative entrepreneur, author, and advocate whose mission is rooted in impact, healing, and purpose. I specialize in independent publishing and community-centered tech. I’m the founder of ERD Technology web development and tech service company I launched in 2019.

What makes ERD different is that it was never just about profit — it was always about creating access. I wanted to provide resources and tools to small businesses, creatives, and organizations in underserved communities so they could thrive in the digital space. I’ve also organized pop-up events to support local entrepreneurs and nonprofits, creating opportunities for connection, exposure, and economic growth.

Beyond business and writing, I’ve also served in the world of public policy. From 2019 to 2020, I worked in Michigan state politics, where I gained firsthand experience advocating for change and working within government systems to serve the people. That experience deepened my understanding of how real change happens — and how important it is to have voices like mine in the rooms where decisions are made.

As an author, I’ve independently published four books, each one rooted in lived experience, truth, and emotional honesty. My work blends poetry, philosophy, and storytelling. I use writing as both a form of healing and a tool to inspire others. My first book, The Philosophy and Poetry of D’Andre J. Herron Pt. 1, is something I’m especially proud of. It was created from the pain I carried after losing loved ones, and it became a way for me to not only process that grief, but also offer something meaningful to others going through similar emotions.

What I’m most proud of is how I’ve been able to take pain and use it as fuel to create purpose. Whether it’s in tech, politics, or literature, I always come back to impact. I’ve had people tell me my words helped them see life differently, that they felt understood, or that they gained clarity during their own silent battles. That means everything to me.

What sets me apart is that I write and lead from lived experience. I speak from what I know, not what I think sounds good. I don’t try to present a polished version of myself — I lead with truth and transparency.

Whether I’m publishing a book, mentoring someone, or collaborating with artists and entrepreneurs in LA or Detroit, I’m bringing my full, real self to the table. My journey is about authenticity, resilience, and building something bigger than myself — something that lasts.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
None. Zero. No luck has been involved — just pure belief, discipline, and the willingness to stay consistent even when no one’s watching. I believe in planting seeds, watering them, and staying grounded long enough to watch them grow. Everything I’ve built — from my tech company to my books and community work — has come from personal sacrifice, focus, and self-development.

If it were about luck, I’d be getting some of the many business loans and grants that are supposed to be out here to help minority-owned businesses, especially in Detroit. But that’s never been the case. I’ve applied, and I’ve watched the same types of businesses — owned by the same circle of people, their friends, or their families — get chosen over and over again. So if you ask me, I’m not that lucky.

That’s why I believe in being self-funded. I’ve learned to invest in myself first, build from the ground up, and stay committed to the bigger picture. When the time is right, the right collaborations will come — but they’ll come because of the work I’ve done, not luck.To me, it all comes down to personal work ethic.

How much work you put into developing yourself — mentally, emotionally, spiritually — will always reflect in your business and your life. This isn’t just about chasing success; it’s about becoming a better person so you can show up better for your family, your community, your clients, and most importantly, yourself.

No luck. Just purpose, process, and patience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/dreherron58
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreherron58
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/iG3bpv3QQNE

Image Credits
J Stylez
Jaz
Nadir Premier