Derreck is a third-generation Oakland, Ca native and is now running for mayor of his hometown. He is a successful entrepreneur whose Oakland-favorite restaurant, Home of Chicken and Waffles, employs 70% incarcerated staff. During Covid, Home of Chicken and Waffles was contracted to prepare 200+ meals daily by Steph, Ayesha Curry, and The World Central Kitchen through The Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation.
Derreck is a third-generation Oakland, Ca native and is now running for mayor of his hometown. He is a successful entrepreneur whose Oakland-favorite restaurant, Home of Chicken and Waffles, employs 70% incarcerated staff. During Covid, Home of Chicken and Waffles was contracted to prepare 200+ meals daily by Steph, Ayesha Curry, and The World Central Kitchen through The Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation.
Having a strong support system during our formative years can be crucial to our success later in life. Today’s guest, the former mayoral candidate of Oakland, California, and entrepreneur, Derreck Johnson, is a prime example of just how important support systems in early childhood can be.
A third-generation resident of Oakland, Derreck began his life growing up in the projects. At an early age, he realized he had a gift for swimming—a talent that his emphatic but protective mother championed. Through her encouragement, Derreck was able to integrate into the city’s competitive swim community, taking part in social gatherings and activities that may have otherwise been out of reach. His mother fought vocally for equal opportunities for her son and ensured that he was treated to the same privileges as the other boys in the swim meets. From this rich childhood experience, Derreck grew to appreciate the importance of having someone in your corner to fight for your best interests. Since then, he has made it his mission to impart the same treatment to others in his adult life.
In our discussion, we talk about the journey that took Derreck from living in the projects of Oakland to running for the city’s mayor. He shares with us his hopes for Oakland and some of the changes that he believes would help the city to realize its full potential. Derrick also gives us some insight into his restaurant business, Home of Chicken and Waffles, which employs 70% incarcerated staff, and why giving back to his community is so important for him.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
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