Meet Jeremiah Walker Jr. | Professional Disc Jockey and Tennis Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jeremiah Walker Jr. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jeremiah, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Thank you for the opportunity to be interviewed by your prominent publication. I am an East Point, Georgia resident, but I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. I owned an audio-visual/DJ company called “Century Entertainment” for over twenty years. I am also one of the head Tennis Coaches for the City of EastPoint, Georgia. I attended college at Wayne State University in Detroit, earning a B.A., in Sociology. I later attended Georgia State University, graduating with a B.A., in Finance. Both degrees played a large role in helping me effectively run a successful business, as well as having a strong family foundation rooted in morals and business sense, which I got from my parents. My father was an entrepreneur and he played the most important role in my decision to start my own business.

When I relocated to Georgia, I started my own DJ/AV company, “Century Entertainment.” My client list included the following, to name a few: NBA, Delta, Bloomingdale’s, US Marine Corps, Home Depot, Jeffrey Atlanta, Catwalk Entertainment, Emory University Medical School, Mercer University, West Georgia College, City of East Point, Omega Psi Phi, Oxford College of Emory University, high-end fashion shows, dozens of private parties, colleges, proms, and weddings. All of this occurred while I was also working a full-time job.

My journey as a DJ and business owner began in Detroit. I started DJing with my four siblings in the 70’s, while we were all in college at Wayne State University. I have two sisters and one brother (deceased). We called our DJ company “World Sound.” We had the privilege to DJ for black Greek organizations, celebrities, and high-end private events in Detroit. We were the DJs for military parties, at TACOM, one of Detroit’s largest military agencies. We were also booked for private events and parties at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. It was an amazing time! We all had our own styles of DJing, and we learned from each other. It was an amazing sight to see a family of DJs at event after event. I eventually taught my son and daughter how to DJ and they also carried on the family legacy.

What should our readers know about your business?
DJing is an art form. I never used pre-mixed tapes or CDs. I mixed at every party on CDJs and turntables. People would often ask me for a copy of the mix I used, and I would tell them there was no pre-mix or computerized playlist. It was all done on the spot. One major aspect of being a good DJ is being able to read a room; I learned this skill by being an accomplished singer and musician. In college, I played the saxophone in the Wayne State Marching Band. I’ve also always been a singer in several church choirs. All of these experiences led to my success as a DJ for decades. I eventually retired from the DJing business, and I feel great about the mark I’ve made in the industry. More importantly I had fun, and I brought joy and happiness through the artform to many people. However, I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you about the importance my father’s work ethic played in my life.

Genetics sometimes plays an unseen hand in determining a course of action.

My father was a highly motivated man. He was committed to ensuring that his wife and four children could thrive and succeed in life. My child’s view of things was that my dad worked a job, went fishing, fed us with some of the fish, and sold the rest. He helped to start a house painting business when he was laid off from his job, in the sixties. He had a shoe-shine business with his brother and friends, and he ran a club called the “Ten Gentlemen,” a travel excursion club. As a child, I thought this was something that fathers did, not understanding how complex the thinking was behind it. Some would say he was a small businessman, an entrepreneur. He never complained, never asked for a title or recognition; Dad looked at it as a matter of survival. Furthermore, he also volunteered at his church’s food pantry. He worked there for years until his health declined.

My mother was also business savvy and taught my siblings and I the importance of negotiating when purchasing items and other life lessons. She was also well educated with an A.A. from a HBCU. Therefore, she emphasized the importance of education as well as my father. My father’s model for living played into my decision for to delve into the entertainment business.

Tennis

My current and probably not my last endeavor is that I am one of the head tennis coaches for the City of East Point, GA. My main focus for the team is centered around strategies and tactics. My journey with tennis began at a young age. I successfully played in middle school and as a varsity tennis player in high school. I also played tennis at Wayne State University and coached their women’s tennis team, while I was in college. Later in life, I worked for a major airline, and I was ranked number five out of 30,000+ employees to play for their private tennis league. I faced numerous challenges when I was young playing tennis, but with my faith in God, a commitment to studying the game, and the support of my family, I was able to succeed.

Moreover, my concentration regarding tennis, today, is teaching winning strategies that secure victories in competitive matches. While some coaches charge for their expertise, I do not because I believe in giving back to the younger generations. So, what do I get out of it? What’s the ROI? I hope to create a thinking, problem-solving tennis player—a dominant presence on the tennis court. I guess it’s in my DNA to overcome challenges and succeed through prayer and determination, just like my father.

I also play competitive Men’s pickle ball in my spare time.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If a friend visits us in Georgia, we first acquaint them with the rich civic history of Atlanta and the region. The tour of this area is an homage to those who fought and bled for our ability to go wherever we choose. The King Center will be the first stop, followed by touring Dr. Martin Luther King’s childhood home. While we’re out, a trip to the West End is essential to visit the AU Center, and let’s dine at Paschal’s restaurant. Dinner can take us just about anywhere for Southern Soul Food, from small mom-and-pop joints to food trucks and sit-down fine dining; Atlanta has it all. For nightlife, let’s travel to East Point for Wind Down Wednesday. Dru Hill is playing. For breakfast, no cooking this morning; we will let the Breakfast Boys handle that. We won’t need to eat lunch; we’re still full of all the deliciousness the Breakfast Boys served up. Let’s go to the malls: Atlantic Station, Lennox Square Mall, and if it’s early enough, ride out to the outlet malls on I-85 or I-75. You will need a vacation if you try to outpace Atlanta. It’s here if you want to partake, experience, or indulge.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I don’t know too many people who can say they made it all on their own. All along the journey, God has blessed me by putting people in my life who have made an impact. I like to shoutout my parents, many members of my childhood church Russell Street Baptist Church, my beautiful and talented wife, Yolanda Walker, my high school principal Mr. Emerald Crosby, my coaches Coach Jenkins, Coach Hairston, University Minister Pastor Virgil Jones, Wayne State University, lifelong friends, my siblings- LaDonna, (Ernest) and Marilyn, extended family, in-laws, and my smart and talented son and daughter. Tennis coaches Daryl Brodus, Joe Hill, Terry Alexander, and Eugene Holiday. Rev. Nicholas Hood and his wife Dr. Elizabeth Hood. These people all had seasons in my life that have proven crucial for my ability to move forward. Thank you all; as the old gospel song goes, “I wouldn’t take nothin’ for my journey.”

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CenturyEnt?mibextid=LQQJ4d