Arnita has a passion for helping victims of domestic violence, community development, outreach and empowering individuals in all areas of their life. Arnita has been practicing social work and counseling since 1987. She has served her community as a leader and member of the Camden County Commission for Women, a member of the Senior Advisory Council for the Aging, Church Health Liaison for Virtua Health System and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She has faithfully volunteered helping victims of domestic violence and is the Founder of I’m Free Ministries, where she implemented a ministry that provides housing and supportive services for victims of domestic violence and their children located in Lindenwold, New Jersey. She was awarded the Dr. Martin Luther King Freedom Medal for her dedication to community service.

Arnita has been active in a variety of Christian ministry for 25 years. She is a member of Victory in Christ Christian Center, in Westville, New Jersey, under the leadership of Pastors John & Isha Edmondson. She was licensed as a Minister on February 15, 2004 by Bishop David G. Evans of Bethany Baptist Church headquartered in Lindenwold, NJ, where she served as an Associate Minister. Arnita has preached and taught for both adults and youth at churches, conferences, retreats and seminary. She is grateful for awesome leaders that covered and mentored her in ministry.

In 2006 she started New Beginnings Radio Ministry on WTMR 800AM in Camden NJ and had re-emerged in 2009 on Radio One’s Praise 103.9, Philadelphia's inspiration station. In 2007, Arnita became Co-Host of Battle for Life, a prayer outreach TV ministry that aired on the Virgin Island, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In 2011 she became the host of New Beginnings Prayer Outreach TV Ministry that streamed and was on air, in Philadelphia, Upstate South Carolina, North Carolina and Northern GA. It is a ministry designed to encourage believers and non-believers alike through exhortation and intercessory prayer "on the air" and with lessons from God's Word on how to let go of the "old" and embrace the "new", and how to avoid getting trapped in "what is", instead of positioning one's self toward "what can be" . . . Theme is “Remember Every Day Is A New Beginning” - 2nd Corinthians 5:17.

She is a 1999 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice, where she received a Masters of Social Work, and a 1990 graduate of Villanova University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts & Sciences; her major was Communications. She is presently attending International Miracle Institute for a Doctorate in Christian Theology.

She was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, where she resides with her son, Joseph Emmanuel. She is also referred to as Lady, which is a nick name that was given to her from birth in honor of her late Grandmother, Lady Lee Oden. Arnita is so grateful for her loving parents, Mary Elizabeth DeShields and the late Ranzo DeShields. She is blessed to be the youngest of ten siblings, and loves both her family and friends dearly. She enjoys writing poetry, sharing her gift of spoken word, sacred dancing, reading and more. Her life scriptures are Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me and Luke 1:37 - For with God nothing shall be impossible!