We’re looking forward to introducing you to Demetrius Washington. Check out our conversation below.
Demetrius, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I’m a planner by nature and trade—so for years, I was firmly on a path. But these days, I’m leaning into a bit of productive wandering. The truth is, with the speed of tech—think AI, digital currency, and all the shifting goalposts—if you aren’t open to moving off the map, you’re probably already behind.
My intellectual curiosity is pulling me in a million different, fascinating directions, and I’ve gotten comfortable with the idea that the straightest line isn’t always the best one. I’m grateful for the freedom to explore, pivot, and stack skills. I’m excited about the future and confident in my ability to thrive wherever I land. The wandering is strategic; it’s an intellectual flex, not just a stroll.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a corporate powerhouse who gets paid to deliver operational excellence—you know, making the machine hum where others only see friction. I’m taking notes for the memoir, but what truly feeds my soul is serving the community. Since childhood, giving back has been the assignment. I’m a ‘secret philanthropist’—I like my impact quiet; no need to flex for the ‘gram all the time.
For the past four years, I’ve had the distinct privilege of serving as the NBMBAA DFW Chapter President, a role that’s far more CEO than volunteer. NBMBAA Chapter Presidents are the executive suite, the board chair, and often the frontline team all at once—we don’t just lead; we own the result. Being named the 2025 Tier 1 Chapter President of the Year is an honor, but the real win is the way this work has forged a personal brand rooted in resilience, creativity, and decisive action. My purpose is now crystal clear: to help organizations and individuals realize and maximize their full, undeniable potential.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
It’s actually kind of divine that you ask this—I’ve been planning an article on this exact topic. The most impactful lessons about work didn’t come from a CEO or an MBA program; they came from my grandparents. They were factory workers, healthcare professionals, and entrepreneurs in their own right. They never stepped into a corporate boardroom, but they instilled the most critical executive mandate: excellence is non-negotiable.
One of the most empowering, street-smart lessons I’ve embraced over the past four years came from my Grandmother Dorothy, who would always remind us: “They talked about Jesus.”
In a corporate environment, especially when you are “the only” or one of a few in a leadership space, people will try to disregard or disrespect you. But that simple, powerful message is my shield. It means you could be great, perfect, the ‘savior’ of your organization, and people will still find something negative to say. Let them. My focus is on delivering authentic, undeniable excellence. I’m not consumed by the noise, whether it’s praise or criticism. I know who I am, I lead with purpose, and I’m unapologetically me—and frankly, it’s been working.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell him: “Keep the fork; the best is yet to come.”
Look, my younger self operated with a quiet anxiety. I felt overlooked and underestimated, wondering why I wasn’t accessing certain opportunities when others were hitting milestones earlier. I had the positive façade, but internally, I hadn’t learned to trust my own executive instincts—or the timing of my life. I genuinely thought something was wrong with my trajectory.
But as my career and personal life shifted, I realized that those “missed opportunities” I mourned weren’t detours—they were deliverance. What I wanted then could have actually been catastrophic. We may know our desires, but we never know the blueprint.
My grandmother’s lessons on excellence apply here: You don’t get the five-course meal served all at once. You might not love the appetizer, and the entree might just be decent, but you have to trust that the dessert—the thing you can’t even see yet—is going to be the absolute best thing you’ve ever tasted. So, young king, I’d tell him to keep that fork ready. The table is being set for something major.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
I used to hold a belief that was instilled by my grandparents—a belief rooted in a different era: “If you just kept your head down and worked hard, your work would automatically be recognized.”
Boy, was that naive. It sounds good on a plaque, but early in my corporate career, that mindset was a genuine liability. About fifteen years ago, a straight-shooting executive gave me the necessary, street-smart education: if all you’re doing is putting in the work, you might not even get the credit. In today’s landscape, if the leadership suite doesn’t know you’re running that play, it’s far too easy for someone else to claim your impact.
The lesson I learned and now operate by is that excellence is the floor, not the ceiling. You must be excellent, but you also have to be visible, actively raise your hand for the stretch assignments, and—most importantly—be the number one advocate for your own advancement. You can’t just wait around for a pat on the back and a promotion; you have to manage your narrative, own your results, and ensure your ROI is known at the highest levels.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m traveling the world and truly engaging with other cultures.
My goal isn’t the postcard moment; I bypass the tourist traps. I prefer to sit with the locals and immerse myself in different lived experiences—it’s research for the soul. That kind of deep engagement provides me with a greater appreciation for others, but it also provides a necessary and sharp appreciation for the life I’ve built.
For example, navigating a city like Sao Paulo, Brazil, years ago—where English was scarce—gave me a streetwise education and a profound appreciation for the isolation someone feels coming to the U.S. without the language. That ability to drop into someone else’s reality and feel that discomfort is key. That deepens my empathy and my commitment to embracing others, and that—more than anything else—is what brings me peace. It’s the ultimate perspective check.
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