Biography

Derrick Williams,

A tireless creative producer who brings concepts and ideas vividly to life, Derrick Williams has built a dynamic career steering a spectrum of brands, businesses, and entertainment endeavors to soaring success and enormous economic impact. Williams' piercing vision and global reach has allowed him to develop coveted partnerships with politicians, kings, heads of state, and presidents of major studios, including Sony, Netflix, and others.

Serving as producing partner with world-renowned inspirational and spiritual leader, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Williams is credited with a long list of masterful projects, including the blockbuster hit Miracles from Heaven, starring Jennifer Garner. Produced by TDJ Enterprises and released by Sony Pictures, the film was budgeted at $13 million and grossed an impressive $73.8 million worldwide. Working as executive producer on the Sony Pictures box office hit Heaven Is For Real, Williams and company grossed more than $101 million at the box office. His track record includes celebrated independent feature films such as Not Easily Broken, starring Kevin Hart and Taraji P. Henson; Woman Thou Art Loosed: On the 7th Day, starring Blair Underwood and Sharon Leal; the BET, Black Reel and NAACP Image Award winning Jumping the Broom, starring Angela Bassett; A Dog's Way Home, in partnership with Columbia Pictures; Winnie Mandela, starring Jennifer Hudson and Terrence Howard; and the astonishing remake of Sparkle, featuring the late Whitney Houston in her final film role.

In partnership with Tegna Media, 44 Blue, and Enlight Productions, Williams served as executive producer of the popular T.D. Jakes talk show, hosted by T.D. Jakes. He also worked as executive producer with Sony TV and Lifetime on the Gracie Award winning, Faith Under Fire television movie, based on the true story of Antoinette Tuff. Lifetime re-teamed with Williams for the tension filled anthology series, Seven Deadly Sins, based on the book series by Victoria Christopher Murray.

Williams and T.D. Jakes will serve as producing partners of the three movies, commissioned for production and scheduled to debut in 2021. Additionally, he has held key roles in an array of outstanding TV productions, including Mind, Body and Soul (BET), and I Am Somebody's Child: The Regina Louise Story (LifeTime).

In collaboration with T.D. Jakes, Williams has conceived and overseen groundbreaking and historic live events around the world, including MegaFest, which attracted over 150,000 attendees and generated over $100 million in revenues. A seasoned veteran in the entertainment industry, Williams has managed and produced a myriad of live events, including A Time to Laugh comedy show, featuring Steve Harvey, Chris Tucker, Niecy Nash, and Sheryl Underwood; Woman of Purpose concert, featuring Gladys Knight, BabyFace, Mary Mary, and others; Oprah's LifeClass; celebrity sporting events; and international leaders conferences.

Williams honed his expertise for delivering sold-out live audiences in partnership with David E. Talbert, and played a significant role in the success of a number of upbeat urban musicals. Later, he co-founded the Broadway Theatrical Urban Series with Clear Channel. Williams served in various capacities, ranging from co-producer, promoter, general manager, COO and CFO, as well as heading up marketing and promotions on critically-acclaimed productions such as, His Woman, His Wife, starring Malik Yoba and Stephanie Mills; Fabric of A Man, starring Shemar Moore and Clifton Powell; and Love Makes Things Happen, presented by Clear Channel Entertainment in collaboration with Edmonds Entertainment.

After studying under the tutelage of jazz legend, Ellis Marsalis, Williams launched his career in entertainment, at 19-years-old, as a back-up drummer on tour with Harry Connick Jr. and later transitioned to management and touring for iconic recording artists such as, PJ Morton, The Hawkins Singers and Kurt Carr.

A brand strategist and marketing mastermind, Williams has worked with a variety of high-profile, culture shifting talent, including Ray Chew, Mark Burnett, Roma Downey, DeVon Franklin, Kim Kimble and Ray Lewis, among others. He's brought his marketing expertise to bear on projects such as The Karate Kid and Pursuit of Happiness (Sony), CREED (Warner Bros.), The Bible (History Channel), and Marshall (Open Road Films).

Fully devoted to his clients and community, Williams lends his masterful insights and visionary prowess through strategic alliances with the National Basketball Players Association, The Hollywood Reporters Advisory Board of the Young Executives Fellowship, EbonyLife Media, NAACP, Global Citizen, LiveNation, and more.
- IMDb mini biography by: DNA Media