Johnnie Walker
Johnnie Walker has excelled in the music and entertainment industry for over 30 years mastering broadcasting, marketing and recorded music. As a seasoned professional, she is passionate about advancing the female agenda in entertainment. The Founder and CEO of NABFEME, the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music & Entertainment, Inc... a professional guild of networks in the USA, Canada, and Africa, Walker is also Creator/Creative Director of Women Who Jam!® a national radio show and music showcase series. Appointed by the Mayor, Walker served as Music Commissioner for the City of Memphis and is the current Executive Director of Memphis Music Matters.
Walker led the Black Music Division of DreamWorks Records and holds the distinction of being named the first female Sr. Vice President of Promotion for Def Jam Recordings. In 2005 she was honored by Rev. Jesse Jackson & Rainbow/PUSH with the "Woman of Conscience Award;" in 2006 she received Delta Sigma Theta’s "Osceola Award," the highest honor is given to professionals in the arts; in 2009 Women’s eNews named Walker one of New York's "21 Leaders for the 21st Century;" in 2010 Memphis news journal, the Tri-State Defender named Walker a “Woman of Excellence,” she received the Black Music Pioneer Award from the Los Angeles arm of the Black Employee Network of the Interpublic Group in 2012 and received the 2017 Memphis Stone Award for International Career Excellence in Entertainment.
Affectionately known as "J-Dub," Ms. Walker began her career as a Country music DJ; she later segued to Black Radio as an announcer and Program Director. In 1989 Walker joined Def Jam Recordings and was later promoted to National Director of Promotion. That position was short-lived as she was soon promoted to Sr. National Director, positioning Walker to be instrumental in launching the careers of Redman, Method Man, Onyx, Montell Jordan, Ashanti, Sisqo, and Case! At the direction of Def Jam mogul Russell Simmons, Walker moved to New York City in 1997 and was named VP of Promotion. A year later, after restructuring the company’s promotions department, Walker was named Sr. Vice President. During her tenure, her team successfully marketed Def Comedy Jam, Phat Farm clothing, Russell Simmons' co-produced movies, "The Nutty Professor,” Jackie Chan’s “Rush Hour 1 & 2,” plus several #1 Gold and Platinum albums from Jay-Z, LL Cool J, DMX, Ashanti, Kelly Price, Ja Rule, Sisqo, Musiq, Dru Hill and others.
Affectionately known as "J-Dub," Ms. Walker began her career as a Country music DJ; she later segued to Black Radio as an announcer and Program Director. In 1989 Walker joined Def Jam Recordings and was later promoted to National Director of Promotion. That position was short-lived as she was soon promoted to Sr. National Director, positioning Walker to be instrumental in launching the careers of Redman, Method Man, Onyx, Montell Jordan, Ashanti, Sisqo, and Case! At the direction of Def Jam mogul Russell Simmons, Walker moved to New York City in 1997 and was named VP of Promotion. A year later, after restructuring the company’s promotions department, Walker was named Sr. Vice President. During her tenure, her team successfully marketed Def Comedy Jam, Phat Farm clothing, Russell Simmons' co-produced movies, "The Nutty Professor,” Jackie Chan’s “Rush Hour 1 & 2,” plus several #1 Gold and Platinum albums from Jay-Z, LL Cool J, DMX, Ashanti, Kelly Price, Ja Rule, Sisqo, Musiq, Dru Hill and others.