DERRICK ASHONG

“DNA”, Musician, Activist, Entrepreneur

A native of Ghana, West Africa, Mr. Ashong sometimes known as DNA, has dedicated his life to building bridges between the fields of business, media, technology, youth culture, pop culture and politics. He is the founder of Take Back the Mic, a youth-centered cultural movement that empowers young people by using niche and viral marketing to bring music and other media to a global market.

Trained as a classical pianist, he is also a self-taught guitarist, a natural performer and a songwriter who was involved in theater throughout his early years while learning to communicate through his poetry. After he enrolled at Harvard, Ashong met his current band members while performing in a university choir. Then, just before completing his studies, he took a leave of absence to perform in in Steven Spielberg's Amistad. Shortly thereafter, he returned to Cambridge to finish his degree requirements before pursuing a Ph.D. in African-American Studies and Ethnomusicology, later leaving the doctorate program to pursue his artistry and advocacy full-time.

Mr. Ashong authored the Soulfege emerging hit "From The Soul," which won Billboard Magazine's 2007 World Song Writing Competition in March 2008. He was also interviewed on his political views outside a rally for Senator Barack Obama in Los Angeles on January 31, 2008. His captivating and persuasive statements quickly became one of the most popular clips on YouTube, with over one million views since its release.

Ashong has lectured around the world, including recent high profile talks at the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and at Deepak Chopra's Alliance For a New Humanity Conference. He is a board member of the Interra Project, a social enterprise focused on consumer finance launched by Visa Int’l founder Dee Hock and Odwalla Juices founder Greg Steltenpohl and Oasis Entertainment, a non-profit media & event production company supporting communities in need.