Just A Kid From Wichita
D.J. Fisher
DJ’s upbringing in Wichita, Kansas played a pivotal role in shaping his worldview and character. He was blessed to be raised with a strong set of values that prioritized family, hard work, and faith. These values were passed down to him by his legendary grandfather, who was a role model of unwavering determination and exceptional work ethic.
DJ’s upbringing in Wichita, Kansas played a pivotal role in shaping his worldview and character. He was blessed to be raised with a strong set of values that prioritized family, hard work, and faith. These values were passed down to him by his legendary grandfather, who was a role model of unwavering determination and exceptional work ethic.
His grandfather’s remarkable ability to build a house from the ground up while juggling the responsibilities of caring for his wife and 12 children inspired DJ to strive for excellence in all areas of his life. Not only did he run a successful business and enjoy fishing with friends, but he also managed to be a loving husband and father – all while living a busy life full of purpose and passion for life.
As a young child, DJ showed incredible athletic abilities that set him apart from his peers. His lightning-fast speed and agility allowed him to excel in sports such as track, football, and basketball. However, his true passion always lay with basketball, which he committed himself to with unmatched dedication and persistence.
Even at just 12 years old, DJ was already making a name for himself as a bright young star. Through the Summer Youth Program with the City of Wichita’s Department of Parks and Recreation, he secured a valuable position that would set him on a path to success. His unparalleled dedication and strong work ethic enabled him to quickly rise through the ranks and earn a promotion to a full-time position – a testament to his early commitment to excellence.
His difficulties in reading and lack of motivation after transferring to another school were compounded by poor attendance and difficulty in keeping up with his studies. While the outcome may have been unexpected, his frequent visits to the library allowed him to cultivate a newfound hobby that not only resulted in improved reading ability, but also helped him find books relating to business and sports that piqued his interest. As a result, he was able to broaden his horizons and ultimately develop a passion for learning and reading. Little did he know that he would be featured in one of the magazines that caught his attention, Black Enterprise Magazine, a premier resource for black entrepreneurs, black-owned businesses, and career, tech, and money content for black people.
By wisdom a house is built and by understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with every precious and beautiful treasure. A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge enhances his strength.
Proverbs 24:3-5
Growing up, Wichita is a hub of professional athletes, hall of famers, and legends, as evidenced by the notable number of such individuals hailing from the area that made it to the NBA, WNBA, NFL, MLB and Olympics. DJ knew he had a unique perspective that could make a positive impact. Wichita is a He reckoned that if these athletes had followed his lead, they could provide hope and encouragement but deter teen pregnancy, gang violence, substance abuse, truancy, suicide, and various other social vices that prevailed during his youth, in the 90s.
This event marked an important turning point. DJ established a sports marketing agency known as Defining Sports. His goal was clear: to define sports, rather than let sports define individuals. Over time, he developed the slogan “Heroes In Sports, Legends In Life” to complement his mission and purpose. Despite lacking a traditional degree, Based on his extensive experience in sports and his unshakeable faith in God, DJ believed that his reputation, business network, and strategic approach would enable him to successfully enter the sports industry and make a positive impact.
Essentially, the concept involved associating a popular athlete with a much-needed product or service for ordinary people. This strategy aimed to boost revenue and awareness in an untapped demographic, while creating strong bonds between the athlete, company, and community. By the end, everyone benefited: the athlete received compensation, the company achieved its goals, and the fans enjoyed a new product or service that improved their daily lives. Elevating athletes to legends is key. DJ designs impactful strategies for clients’ target markets. He values significance over just financial success, as he contemplates this quote: “Good to be successful, but great to be significant.”
DJ’s agency has represented a host of 1st round draft picks, Rookies of the Year, All-Stars, MVPs, NBA and WNBA players, Super Bowl champions, World Series and Stanley Cup champions, Olympic medalists, and Hall of Famers – all with over $80 million in endorsement deals and partnerships for his clients. DJ Fisher, a highly decorated and accomplished sports marketing agent, as someone who strongly depends on his relationship with God, he often reflects on the odds he defied and the adversity he’s overcome. To him, he’s simply “Just A Kid From Wichita,” but in the sports industry, he’s known for his success. DJ has received commendations from Mayor of Wichita, Congress, State Senate, State Legislature and the 44th President, Barack Obama.
For nearly 20 years, DJ Fisher has demonstrated a remarkable ability to manage, mentor and market professional athletes and coaches, while also making notable contributions to the betterment of society. The DJ Fisher Family Foundation embodies DJ’s commitment to empowering at-risk youth and low-income families, by promoting literacy, sports and social activities. Through the foundation’s basketball camp, Just A Kid From Wichita, DJ has achieved significant recognition in Kansas, ranking #1 for almost a decade. His reading program, Readers Create Leaders, has distributed more than 1 million books across the nation, and has collaborated with esteemed organizations, such as WWE, First Book and Scholastics. The foundation continues to make strong strides towards its mission by organizing the Ultimate Fan Experience, a unique event that provides fans with the opportunity to meet and engage with their favorite athletes, while also donating to the Wichita Children’s Home. The foundation has also awarded $1,000 scholarships to deserving students in recent years.
In present day, now the individual who thought he wasn’t qualified, overlooked, underestimated, talked about, mistreated and definitely misunderstood is a paid speaker who has employed several college educated people to excel and obtain jobs in the front offices of major professional sports and college programs and even start agencies of their own. One of DJ’s favorite scriptures is Genesis 50:20: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”