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Derek Walker

janitor, secretary, mailroom person, creative and owner at brown & browner

Derek Walker is the owner, instigator, janitor, secretary, mailroom person, and creative at brown and browner advertising, a small agency he founded in 2007.12 He opened his own shop after facing racial discrimination in his previous job, where he was told he would never be promoted despite performing well.1

Derek is known for his pioneering work in creating opportunities for black talent in the advertising industry. During Black History Month, he dedicated his Twitter feed to recognizing underappreciated black industry professionals daily.1

With a self-described "late start" in advertising, Derek has established himself as a creative professional who embraces being different. His LinkedIn bio ends with the statement "I told you I ain't right," which he sees as a fact rather than an apology.1

Derek's approach to the future is optimistic yet realistic. He believes he has great things ahead and is going to do amazing things, although he acknowledges he's not where he should be in his career.1 His perspective on ageism in the industry is that older professionals will need to fight to stay relevant, which he believes is appropriate.1

Highlights

T H E E Q U A L I Z E R - OVER 30 UNDER 30

Related Questions

What inspired Derek Walker to start Brown and Browner?
How has Derek Walker's career evolved since founding Brown and Browner?
What are some notable projects or achievements of Brown and Browner?
How does Derek Walker approach diversity and inclusion in the advertising industry?
What challenges has Derek Walker faced in his career, and how did he overcome them?
Derek Walker
Derek Walker, photo 1
Derek Walker, photo 2
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Location

Columbia, South Carolina Metropolitan Area