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Derrick Christian

@dchristianii

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1919

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Multi-Hyphenate
Founder, @mistersuitable
Creator, @noirmizzou
Director of Marketing & Innovation
Husband/Dad/More

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Personally and professionally, @EVMConference was a win this year.

I started off as an attendee.

Now, for three consecutive years I’ve been the industry town hall host, a featured panelist, EVMC board member (voted to another 3-year term), planning committee member, multi-award nominee for our innovative United Center marketing initiatives, and overall connected to the best people and minds in the industry through this annual event.

Speaking on the ‘The Backstage Edge’ panel about our intentional artist gifting and backstage tour experiences was a reminder to share more. We move on to the next big idea quickly, but we have made magic happen by:

1) Entertaining the entertainer. It’s not just what you give, it’s how you give it. Curate the presentation and add the element of surprise in it.

2) Remembering it’s not about what they yell, it’s about listening to what they whisper. The gold is in what you uncover about them, not what everyone already knows.

3) Surrounding what they already do vs. getting their buy in for something new. Elevate what they enjoy and they’ll remember you everytime they encounter it.

Turning a 7 AM show day request for one literal goat backstage into five goats and a branded barnyard experience for Benson Boone hours later that he loved.

Evolving a Haribo gummy bear tradition Toni Braxton does before shows into a surprise experience backstage with the Haribo mascot and a 10,000 gummy bear sample giveaway for fans leaving the building.

Countless stories of the power of creativity (that I will/need to share on IG) and I left Sacramento fueled to help create even more in the world. See you in Austin in 2027, EVMC. by @dchristianii

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4 months ago

We burned @B2K a CD in 2026 as a part of their @UnitedCenter artist gift for The Millennium Tour. Not just any CD though.

We created the B2K “Why I Love You’ CD players inspired by their 2002 song “Why I Love You”.

Each CD had 12 tracks that were messages from fans in Illinois saying why they love B2K. The CDs were branded with the tour artwork and CD players were hand-painted with matching headphones by Chicago artist @recothegreat.

This is a commemorative gift to display as art, a functional gift for their CDs, or a way for them to hear Illinois fans on the road. Making everyone feel seen is the goal.

💿: Thanks to @mysterystreetrecording and @mixedbyamar for coming through on the CDs the band can Bump, Bump, Bump. by @dchristianii

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6 months ago

Little Derrick has something share! Baby Christian #2 will be here Summer 2026! #ChristianPartyof4 by @dchristianii

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8 months ago

Celebrating my birthday and the end of 2025 with some highlights. Gratitude. 🙏🏾

JAN - #J5 with @DQNupes alumni + first backstage experience of 2025 for Kelsea Ballerini

FEB - Fifth time helping #HBCUNPHC features come to life at @UnitedCenter, including the halftime show

MAR - Mary J. Blige’s Chicago concert was Mar. 14, 2025, she has the song “Real Love” and I discovered Love Jones (filmed in Chicago) was released on Mar. 14, 1997. I pitched “Real Love Jones” ideas to @LarenzTate (Lead actor in Love Jones), @LahmardTate and @Laron_Tate and they were in. Major shout out to @TateMenEnt!

APR - Went to Paris with @KrisDChristian, saw the Usher concert + the tour still talks about our 2024 backstage welcome for them/artist gift in Chicago. That’s a BIG deal. Also, shared spoken word poetry at a @Macys leadership conference.

MAY - Gifted the legends Patti LaBelle, Chaka Kahn and Rauw Alejandro among others

JUNE - Curated two panels, hosted an arena industry forum, spoke as a panelist for artist experiences, served on the executive board and more for the @evmconference in ATL

JULY - Branded, built and curated the first #SSSummitChi with @EKnowles23 + @BlackMenswear for 100+ young men with panels, networking, and headshots in @MisterSuitable ties

AUG - Panelist at the New Heights Summit with great leaders

SEP - For the 11th year in a row, hosted @NOIRMIZZOU homecoming programming with innovation and sell out events that uplifted students at the college I graduated from. We’re back in 2026!

OCT - Literally and figuratively gave Brandy + Monica their flowers. Also, gifted one of my favorite songwriters (Priscilla Renae - now Muni Long) crystallized Delulu glasses the tour loved so much they used them on stage in her set each night after Chicago. Also, @SoulSessionsChi.

NOV - Paul McCartney backstage experience, Mayor’s Inaugural Masked Ball in Memphis with Kris, raising The Hulk, and supporting the @ChicagoHBCUAlumniChoir who I helped form with @MartinWoods at a BHM game.

DEC - Panelist at @Authentically_Arika’s bookstore event with one of a kind leaders/business owners/human in Chicago.

BIGGER plans for 2026 ahead! 📈 by @dchristianii

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10 months ago

When @NOIRMIZZOU kicks off homecoming, it feels like this! #ZODIAKSMU

🎶 Sounds By: @DJJ2Koo

📍 Hosted At: @SilverballBar

💭 Curated By: @MisterSuitable

🎟️ We’re just getting started. Join the party at blackgoldweekend.com

#NOIRMIZZOU by @dchristianii

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a year ago

Next Sunday, I’m back on stage at @soulsessionschi to share two poetry pieces. You’re invited.

Sunday, Sept. 21 | 7 PM | Bassline Chicago

Link in bio. taken in Bassline by @dchristianii

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a year ago

Every year the vision gets better when we step on center court together. | #HBCUNPHC

📍 @UnitedCenter
🗓 @ChicagoBulls Statement Edition Game (Feb. 26)
🧵: I sourced all the blank jackets in org. colors, I created the patches and got them handsewn locally. There is no vendor or link to buy them, but I see the demand. I may find a way to get a limited run made. 👀

- 45 Halftime Steppers
- 10 Regional NPHC Leaders Featured
- 9 Historical Facts About NPHC’s Chicago Influence
- 5 Years And Counting Representing Unity
- One-Of-A-Kind Experience

Beyond what just happens on the court, seeing the love in the concourse between people with lifelong bonds and connected through culture is priceless.

Doing my part in the team effort to make this happen is rewarding every year.

Check out the full halftime show on the @WatchTheYard IG.

#NPHC #Chicago #WatchTheYard taken in United Center by @dchristianii

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2 years ago

All nine D9 orgs stepped at the @UnitedCenter for the @ChicagoBulls halftime show! 🙌🏾

The ‘Statement of Stepping’ NPHC halftime show championed the power and unity of stepping while featuring NPHC facts about each organization’s impact on or connection to Chicago.

Check out this recap of their performance at the United Center showing how we’re #StrongerTogether!

Halftime Show Curated By: @DChristianII + @Bulls.Entertainment
Jackets Created In House By: @DChristianII taken in United Center by @dchristianii

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2 years ago

The gift of 2024! 🏅

Leading the strategy, design, curation and presentation of @UnitedCenter artist gifts - among other responsibilities - continues to elevate the game with innovation and teamwork.

HIGHLIGHTS:

- My middle name is Lionel. Gifting @LionelRichie and connecting over it being pronounced LYE-NELL (not LIE-NULL) is epic. My son is Derrick III, so we bonded about the Lionel legacy living on.

- I’m from STL. Giving @Nelly his flowers is key for me. I’m from the “Show Me State” & we had cool things to show him. Thanks @IsaacKeys for the assist + @AstrotorfCustoms for the artwork.

- @JellyRoll615’s album “Beautifully Broken” released on his Chicago show date. I realized a stained glass window is beautifully, intentionally broken and @MegMakesStainedGlass took the gift to the stars.

- I like to think outside the jersey, but gifting it as base and building on it with a gift worked well for @PesoPluma, @Feid, & @ZachLaneBryan.

- ‘@Russ Rugs’ had a nice ring to it and he always posts on social media from his home. We collabed with @RugsuryCustoms to roll out the red carpet with three custom rugs. Also, “Bucket Hat Low” is triple platinum in my house.

- Out of the box ideas (literally and figuratively) for @DanAndShay (from @RecoTheGreat), @TheeStallion (from @faultless_inspirations), @Usher (from @TheSparkleCompanyChicago / @candlecastleco ) and @CarinLeonOficial (@RecoTheGreat).

- @Ben_Rector & @HaileyWhitters released the duet “Color Up My World” and days later we made a coloring book with their lyrics. Their genuine surprise & appreciation in the video is what we chase.

- The art of the presentation is on full display for @TimmyTyChilders. Set a bar of expectation and pass it quickly. We went from typical jerseys to a surprise @BHawkTommyHawk appearance to custom bobbleheads in a #Blackhawks jersey for everyone.

- Last year, we gifted @TheRealTank and @JValentine #RNBMoney glasses for their @rnbmoneypodcast. The gift made it to their podcast (as hoped!) to hundreds of thousands & counting. Great gifts are regarded and not discarded.

I’m proud of the work we did in 2024. Unwrapping 2025 next…

#Chicago #Marketing #2024 taken in Chicago, Illinois by @dchristianii

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2 years ago

Today is my birthday and you know what I don’t give myself enough of? Credit.

Not sole credit. Not unwarranted credit. Just due credit.

Deferring worthy celebrations along the way because I have my focus on the unattained end goal.

Sharing flowers immediately when someone wants me to sit in the garden of gratitude they’re giving.

Overlooking my B- work because I’m striving for A++, when my C- work is an A+ to most standards. And still deserves celebrating.

Credit for ideas that I’ve implemented, impact I’ve inspired, mountains I’ve moved, progress I’ve proven, everyone I’ve empowered, commitments I’ve kept, words I’ve written, standards I’ve surpassed, people I’ve poured into, and beyond.

I usually don’t give myself enough credit and just keep going.

Today is a reminder to keep the credit I’m given from everyone and give myself the gift of just due credit.

I credit that inspiration to people around me who create space to share genuine love and appreciation. Thank you for the birthday wishes, everyone! 🙏🏾

Photo Credits:
📸: @jasonmccoyphotography
👔: @eknowles23
💈: @execsteve
⚪️: @mistersuitable taken in Chicago, Illinois by @dchristianii

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2 years ago

Merry Christmas from our family to yours! Wishing everyone a season filled with joy, peace and prosperity.

❤️ , The Christians

📸 : @jasonmccoyphotography by @dchristianii

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2 years ago