About the Founder

Dr. Derrick L. Williams is a business-development strategist, hospitality and sales leader, entrepreneur, and community advocate with more than a decade of experience across hospitality, nonprofit, and private-sector environments.

Born in Detroit and raised in Los Angeles, Derrick brings a service-centered approach to leadership. His background spans full-service and luxury hospitality, restaurant operations, sales and brand growth, program operations, and community partnerships. His experience includes work across hospitality brands such as Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG, along with sales and brand-growth leadership in the quick-service restaurant sector.

Through DLW Developments, he helps organizations connect strategic thinking with practical execution: sharpening market positioning, strengthening operations, developing partnerships, and building customer loyalty. His Attention-to-Retention framework focuses on earning attention before an experience, elevating engagement during it, and reinforcing loyalty afterward.

Derrick’s community work brings together nonprofit leadership, family support, health awareness, and civic participation. His Atlanta City Council proclamation documents a decade of service alongside organizations and fundraising initiatives, reflecting a commitment to connecting people, resources, and opportunities.

Nonprofit leadership and family support. The proclamation recognizes his work as Director of Charitable Services for Anchored Heart Outreach, an empowerment organization where he expanded the nonprofit’s name recognition through four service projects in the year preceding the recognition. It also highlights his role as Charity Ambassador for Children’s Healthcare of Los Angeles, supporting Parents Night Out—a program offering entertainment and relaxation for parents whose children required extended stays in the healthcare system.

Youth leadership and civic engagement. His service has included roles as chairman of the White House Youth Summit, Senior Advisor of Diversity Placement, and Deputy Communications Officer. He also coordinated visits and speaking opportunities at 27 high schools and colleges, encouraging students to vote, participate in local elections, and become involved in community service.

Health awareness and support networks. Derrick executed the Autism Spectrum Awareness Fundraiser for Autism Speaks, started an Atlanta support group in conjunction with the National Stroke Association for families coping with stroke-related illnesses, and organized the Women in Red Walk for the National Heart Disease Association of Atlanta, as documented in the proclamation.

Hospitality with a charitable purpose. He contributed to Children’s Miracle Network fundraising across the country by working directly with Marriott properties to encourage guests to make small donations. These efforts connect his hospitality experience with a broader commitment to supporting children, families, and communities.

• President’s Lifetime Achievement Award — recognizing at least 4,000 hours of volunteer service and a sustained commitment to communities and individuals in need.
• Atlanta City Council Proclamation — recognizing nonprofit leadership, charitable fundraising, youth and community engagement, civic participation, and community-service initiatives.
• Key to the City of Atlanta (2018) — recognition connected to his community work, including a hospitality fundraising partnership supporting families with children receiving cancer care.

DLW Developments brings strategy, operations, and leadership together to build stronger businesses. Business consultations can also include practical AI training and workflow guidance tailored to an organization’s goals.

DLW develops independent ventures as well. Cuisine From the Heart serves customers through Southern-inspired meals, meal prep, and catering. Rooted Revival Juicery offers fresh-pressed juices and wellness shots. Each business maintains its own identity, offerings, and inquiry path.