Music & Entertainment Executive
| Advocate | Trailblazer | Mentor

Johnnie Walker is a powerhouse in the music industry with over 30 years of experience spanning broadcasting, recorded music, and executive leadership. A respected visionary, Walker is deeply committed to advancing equality, education, and workplace inclusion for women in entertainment.

She is the Founder & CEO of NABFEME (National Association of Black Female Executives in Music & Entertainment, Inc.), a professional network with networks across the U.S., Canada, and Africa. She also created Women Who Jam!®, a syndicated radio show and live music showcase series that amplifies the voices of female artists. Appointed by the Mayor of Memphis, Ms Walker served as Music Commissioner for the City of Memphis, furthering her impact on cultural and community development.

Her groundbreaking career includes leading the Black Music Division of DreamWorks Records and becoming the first female Senior Vice President at Def Jam Recordings. At Def Jam, she was instrumental in shaping the careers of artists such as Redman, Method Man, Ashanti, Montell Jordan, Sisqo, and Case. Guided by Russell Simmons, she rose to executive leadership in New York, where her team championed iconic cultural ventures including Def Comedy Jam, Phat Farm, and blockbuster films The Nutty Professor and Rush Hour 1 & 2. She also spearheaded successful campaigns for chart-topping albums from Jay-Z, LL Cool J, DMX, Ludacris, Rihanna, Musiq, Dru Hill, Kelly Price, Ja Rule, and Public Enemy.

Widely recognized for her contributions, Walker has earned numerous honors, including:

• Inducted into the R&B Hall of Fame
• Honored as a“Living Legend”…Mike Bernardo Female Executive Award
• Rainbow/PUSH “Woman of Conscience” Award
• Delta Sigma Theta Osceola Award
• Radio & Records Lifetime Achievement Award
• Named by Women's eNews as one of New York’s “21 Leaders for the 21st Century”
• Tri-State Defender “Woman of Excellence” Award
• Black Music Pioneer Award – Interpublic Group
• Memphis Stone Award for International Career Excellence
• Key To The City – Hometown of Grenada, MS

Affectionately known as “J-Dub,” Walker’s journey began as a Country radio DJ before transitioning into Black radio and ultimately, the music industry’s executive ranks. A sought-after motivational speaker and a proud member of the Advisory Board for the Music Industry Relations Collective at the National Museum of African American Music… Ms Walker’s career continues to inspire generations of women determined to lead, create, and break barriers in entertainment.