Meet Dacari J. Middlebrooks of DJM Consultant Group in Downtown Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dacari J. Middlebrooks.

Dacari, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
In 2010, I graduated with a Master of Divinity Degree from Vanderbilt University. Upon my completion, I joined the staff of Mount Zion Baptist Church of Nashville, TN as the First Assistant to the Pastor. While in this role, I got an opportunity to travel the country and learn about various ministry needs. After serving in that role for three and a half years, I transitioned into managing more day-to-day operations for various ministries.

However; in that third year (2013), before my transition–I discovered that many African-American churches around the country had yet to engage with social media properly. Many of them had social media platforms, but they didn’t know how to use them. So, in 2013, I wrote my first book: “Social Media Matters: Engaging Churches, Enhancing Businesses.” After the release of my book, I was invited to various churches to teach and train their leaders on the usage of social media.

After having such great success, I started my consulting company in 2014, and it’s been a great joy.

Since 2013, I’ve traveled to over thirty states and forty-two cities assisting churches with Social Media, Marketing, and new technology that would aid in progressing their ministries.

In 2018, I released my second book, “The Depressed Millennial: Surviving Unmet Expectations.” This book has given me the leverage and opportunity to now speak and teach on mental health matters in the church, and the small business world.

Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been smooth. On the journey to becoming successful in business, I lost so much more. I was married for six years, but my quest for chasing a dream cost me my marriage, and almost my sanity. We often glorify this idea of the grind and hustle–but sometimes, it’s not worth it. I was busy being a success in the world, but I was failing at home. Though I lost my marriage, and a few friendships; I’m grateful that I didn’t lose my mind. It’s still a journey, but I’m better because of it.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the DJM Consultant Group story. Tell us more about it.
I do several things:

1. I create a branding experience that’s unique to a particular person or company. I inform the development of an overall brand strategy, which can affect logo and package design, pricing, placement, advertising campaigns, and customer service messaging.

2. I’m skilled and knowledgeable in consumer behavior and the marketing process. This includes having the ability to identify the companies target market and position their product or service offering in a way that will interest consumers and make them want to buy.

3. I’m a nationally recognized speaker. Skilled in the art of story-telling, social media, leadership, mentorship, and ministry. I’m the author of Social Media Matters, The Depressed Millennial and is featured in several credible publications.

I’m most proud of my ability to remain authentically me. If I had a tagline, it would say, “Owning my difference is making a difference.”

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I believe there will always be room for marketing/branding consultants and creatives. I’m not sure where the industry will be in the next 5-10 years, but I do believe you will see more of an influx of “influencers” using Social Media to build their brands by themselves. The market is getting easier for discovery. I’m not saying we “consultants” won’t be necessary, but we will have to be more skilled, and creative for our services to be needed. People are exhausted from paying for things they can do themselves.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.amazon.com/Depressed-Millennial-Surviving-Unmet-Expectations-ebook/dp/B07D3BBHFP
• Email: DacariMiddlebrooks@gmail.com
• Instagram: Dacarij
• Facebook: Dacari.Middlebrooks
• Twitter: Dacarij

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