Derrick Christian

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! 📈