Denise Lenoir Tolliver was born in South Haven, Michigan, an only child who would later move to Detroit, where she would reside until attending college at Grambling State University, relocating her to Louisiana.
Denise has worked as a television and radio news reporter/anchor, a Capitol Hill communications director and chief of staff, and a District of Columbia government communications director and chief of staff. While employed on the Hill, she was sought after by Judy Smith of Scandal fame to assist with the mayoral crisis in Detroit. Upon completing the crisis position with the Mayor, she then stayed in Detroit to perform crisis assistance with the new Detroit City Council President.
After her last crisis assignment was completed, she returned to the Hill where she worked for Congressman John Lewis and current Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge.
Denise lives in Washington, D.C. with her niece, Porchia, and her two rescue pets, a dog, Bella, and a cat, Gracie.