Committed throughout his life to promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, Daymond John is an original co-star of the popular “Shark Tank” television show, as well as a bestselling author, branding expert, and founder and CEO of the FUBU lifestyle brand.
On Sept. 23, John will present “Diversity: A Good Business Practice,” this year’s Roland Quest Lecture at Elmhurst University. His talk is a highlight of the University’s 150th anniversary celebrations, and leads into Elmhurst’s Homecoming weekend.
John first made his mark as an entrepreneur in the early 1990s, when he capitalized on the then-fledgling hip-hop culture and launched the FUBU clothing company from his mother’s house in Queens. A key development for the streetwear market, FUBU today is a multibillion-dollar industry.
In 2009, John was tapped to join the cast of “Shark Tank.” The four-time Emmy Award-winning show, whose sharks have made millions of dollars in investments, has become one of the most successful business-reality series of all time.
A recipient of multiple awards, including the Brandweek Marketer of the Year and Ernst & Young’s Master Entrepreneur of the Year, John also is CEO of the brand consultancy The Shark Group, which specializes in brand strategy and development, artist relations and talent development.
In 2015, he was named a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship and was part of an exclusive group that joined President Barack Obama at the Global Entrepreneur Summit in Kenya.
John’s presentation “Diversity: A Good Business Practice” begins at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 23, in Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel. Admission is $15 for the general public and free for Elmhurst University students, faculty, staff and alumni. After the lecture, John will sign copies of his latest bestselling book, “Power Shift” (2020). Tickets are available on Eventbrite. For more information, email marketing@elmhurst.edu.
To protect the health of our community, campus visitors will be required to wear a mask during all indoor events, regardless of vaccination status. This requirement may change to reflect new public health guidance.