Three Years In The DMV: My Journey As a DC Event Producer

Three years ago today, I was sleeping on a borrowed air mattress in an empty apartment I had just moved into a few days prior. My new apartment was filled with suitcases full of clothes, bags of random belongings, and an air of optimism for what would become my “DMV” era. I had just wrapped up my first DC HillmanFest Bar Crawl two days earlier. It was a success, and we brought out so many people on a cold, snowy Saturday, and we partied up and down H st. Money and connections were made. The many months of planning the bar crawl and my move paid off. I remember looking up at the ceiling of my Crystal City apartment and thinking “Now what?”. Where am I going to go from here? I didn't have a high-paying DC job so I was going to need to hustle to make ends meet to pay the rent. I didn’t exactly know what type of events I wanted to do on the regular or who I should work with. All I knew was that for the first time in a long time i made an intentional choice to get out of my comfort zone, take a risk, and bet on myself. 

The first few months were tough. I had a few reality checks when the first month and a half rent promotion ran out. I had to wake up at 5am to work as a Lyft driver during the DCA business travel rush. I needed to do that at least 3 times a week to have enough money to comfortably pay my rent. Luckily, I lived next to the airport and there were plenty of my government working neighbors who traveled to and from DCA on those early flights. I’d wrap up my driving around 8am and go back to my apartment where I’d clock in to my then remote job. In between Zoom calls for my day job, I’d be on the phone with venue owners, DJs, influencers, content creators, etc. Trying to pitch my event ideas, build partnerships, plan out event calendars, and negotiate deals. It was exhausting but ironically that’s the hustle I grew to love. 

At that point, I was hosting R&B brunches at Lydia on H at least once a month. Sprinkling a HillmanFest or a 90’s & 00’s themed event now and then. People started noticing my consistency and I began being able to pull larger and more consistent crowds. At this point, Uptown Digital didn’t exist. I was really promoting from my personal pages and being the typical “Promoter”. I wore all the hats, photographer, content creator, event strategist, lead promoter, etc. Keeping control over those early events was necessary because I had to be hands-on to understand what the people liked and didn’t like. What gripes did the waitresses have and what support did the DJs need? I needed to learn what shots and angles were necessary for great recap content to drive engagement. In 2023 I executed 16 events pretty much independently and learned so many lessons. Some of these lessons tested my maturity and professionalism to the core. One thing about DC nightlife is that people will play with you.

One of the core lessons I learned is that most of these relationships you make from event planning are not real. They are business relationships and as soon as the business vitality fades all loyalty and favor go as well. I’ve had DJs I hired regularly turn around and bash my events subliminally on social media for likes and algorithm-stimulating controversy. Relationship with venues will come and go like the tide depending on how much they need your clientele. Everything is constantly in flux. It’s the nature of business but I’ve learned it’s ok to take it personally as well.

Another lesson I learned is not adopt other individuals’ issues/beefs. DC nightlife tends to be like high school. The “in the mix” event planners, DJs, and content creators all know each other. They all went to college together, pledged the same orgs, used to hook up with each other, grew up on the same block, etc. Sometimes you’ll find there’s beef between DJs, promo groups, and local socialites. You have to stay neutral or else you’ll burn bridges just to find out that folks you went to war over just made peace with your ops. Now they are besties and you’re on the sideline looking crazy. 

The final lesson I learned is that you must keep purpose over financial gain and “popularity”. Your purpose will drive you much farther than get-rich-quick trends. Finding like-minded people and communities that share your vision and purpose is key to success. The more I tapped into my purpose and collaborated with others who are like-minded the more successful I’ve become. 

Looking back on the last 3 years I’ve come a long way. Uptown Digital is alive and well. I’ve identified a team of DJ’s, promo groups, venues, and supporters I can lean on. I’ve obtained new jobs and promotions and have officially retired from Lyft driving. I left my nice but expensive Crystal City high-rise apartment and bought a little townhouse in SE DC. I’m taking more time out for myself and my health.  I’m glad I went out on a limb and bet on myself back in 2023. I can’t wait to see what the next 3 years will bring. Thanks for being with me on this ride. 

Peace & Love

Walker