Meet Derreck Johnson
DERRECK JOHNSON: SON OF OAKLAND
Derreck Johnson is running for City Council for all those who’ve been left behind, those who struggle, those who’re being hit hardest by the health and economic crises impacting our city, because they’re his family, and his community. A third generation Oaklander, Derreck was raised by a single mom in West Oakland’s Acorn housing projects, one of our most underserved neighborhoods. His mom worked up to three jobs so he could have a better life. She taught him to work hard and selflessly for others, take pride in his community, and keep his word.
Growing up, Derreck saw people rise in the most inspiring ways and fall most tragically. Thanks to his strong extended family and community, Derreck would go on to high school, then Fisk University, a historic black college in the south, where he was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, which promoted brotherhood, service, and community advocacy. After graduation, he came home determined to serve the community that made him who he is. Today, he’s a successful entrepreneur making an incredible difference for Oakland.
Derreck in the News:
Growing up, Derreck saw people rise in the most inspiring ways and fall most tragically. Thanks to his strong extended family and community, Derreck would go on to high school, then Fisk University, a historic black college in the south, where he was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, which promoted brotherhood, service, and community advocacy. After graduation, he came home determined to serve the community that made him who he is. Today, he’s a successful entrepreneur making an incredible difference for Oakland.
Building a Pillar of the Community and Transforming Hundreds of Lives in Oakland
In 2004, Derreck opened Home of Chicken and Waffles in Jack London Square. The restaurant would become a pillar of this community, a way to help Oaklanders who hadn’t been as lucky as Derreck had. While over the years, Derreck has created hundreds of jobs, he’s most proud of the fact that 70 percent of Home of Chicken and Waffles employees were formerly incarcerated people, folks who nobody would give a second chance until Derreck did. Derreck finds nothing more inspiring than helping turn someone’s life around, and seeing them get that first paycheck, that first apartment, or even that college degree.
During the COVID-19 crisis, the restaurant has provided free meals to hospital workers and kitchen space to help feed the community. For Derreck, this crisis is personal, because he knows just how much employees depend on a functioning economy and a paycheck.
Top Derreck with four generations of his Oakland family. Middle Derreck with his aunt and his friend, Kamala. Bottom Derreck in front of his restaurant. Photo credit: Cindy Chew
Top Derreck with four generations of his Oakland family. Middle Derreck with his aunt and his friend, Kamala. Bottom Derreck in front of his restaurant. Photo credit: Cindy Chew
Left Derreck with four generations of his Oakland family. Middle Derreck with his aunt and his friend, Kamala. Right Derreck in front of his restaurant. Photo credit: Cindy Chew
Always in the Community, Putting in Work, Giving Back, and Making a Difference
Derreck has served Oakland from many perspectives, helping nonprofits, foundations, and City programs make a difference in Oakland. He’s worked to reduce violence through Khadafy Washington Foundation for Non-Violence and oversaw violence prevention funding on the City’s Measure Y Committee. He’s overseen critical employment and job training programs that create opportunity for Oaklanders through his work on the City’s Workforce Development Board. And he’s provided scholarships to low-income youth through the Summit Bank Foundation.
From his experiences growing up in the Acorn projects and through his employment practices at his restaurant, Derreck has seen firsthand how the criminal justice system fails the formerly incarcerated. That’s why he volunteers at San Quentin Prison, mentoring soon-to-be released inmates on job interview skills to help them get back into society.
Derreck was honored to receive the City of Oakland’s Humanitarian Award for his work in the community.