MEET DENNIS WILSON JR.
Owner, Mrdwilson Limited Corp
BIOGRAPHY
Entrepreneur • Promoter • Restauranteur • Teacher • Graphic Designer
Dennis Wilson Jr. is the owner of a graphic design firm, an event promoter for regional promotion company, Mrdwilson Limited Corp; and restaurant owner of The Oakk Room, a mainstay for urban professionals in Buffalo, NY. Mr. Wilson manages his businesses all while being a full-time high school teacher in the Buffalo Public Schools.
Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, Dennis has beaten the odds his entire life. Dennis graduated top of his class at Riverside High School and went on to earn a Bachelor and Masters degree from Canisius College.
After college, Dennis shifted focus to entrepreneurism and education, joining the Buffalo Board of Education in 1999, and launching his first business, King of Spades Graphics, out of his home in 2001.
While teaching and coaching basketball for a few years, 2007 saw the launch of Dennis’s second company, Mrdwilson.com (now Mrdwilson Limited Corp.), which has put on Upscale events attracting attendees from all across the US and Canada.
In 2011, capitalizing on success as an event promoter Mr. Wilson took on the task of taking a run-down bar notorious for crime and revitalizing it into The Oakk Room Restaurant. Over the past nine years The Oakk Room has become the hub for Urban Professionals in WNY.
Further expanding his brand, Dennis created Panoramic Magazine in 2019. Panoramic Magazine is a digital magazine that gives a 360 view of the lives of successful middle-class professionals with Buffalo roots. With his various business interests Dennis has created platforms for small businesses and career minded individuals to connect and network throughout the Western New York region.
Mr. Wilson has received various community and small business awards in the past several years. In 2016 Dennis married Rhonda Wilson (formerly Williams), who founded Buffalo Black Nurses Inc., a community organization for nurses.
Dennis continues to focus on building a long lasting legacy in Buffalo.
EDUCATION
June 1994
RIVERSIDE HIGH SCHOOL, BUFFALO, NY
Regents diploma. Graduated in Top 10 of class. Captain of the Varsity Basketball Team.
May 1998
CANISIUS COLLEGE, BUFFALO, NY
B.A. Communications (Radio/Tv Broadcast)
Minor History
Member of Division I Basketball Team
May 2001
CANISIUS COLLEGE, BUFFALO, NY
M.S. Education (History)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
January 2001-Present
GRAPHIC DESIGNER, OWNER
Formerly King of Spades Graphics.
MRDWILSON Limited Corp is a minority owned and operated company that has provided Complete Graphic Design, Brand Identity, and Print Solutions for large and small businesses throughout the United States and Canada for the past 15+ years. We specialize in high quality designs and a unique ability to capture an audience. Our goal is to create a one stop shop to assist companies in becoming more effcient.
NYS Minority Certified
March 2011-Present
OWNER, OPERATOR
Oakk Room Restaurant
The Oakk Room officially opened in March 2011. Since it's inception the Oakk Room has became a haven for urban professionals in Western New York. Â With a commitment to bringing service and a quality atmosphere, the Oakk Room continues to evolve and improve daily.
January 2019-Present
OWNER, CREATOR
Panoramic Magazine
Publication dedicated to documenting the lives and businesses of Urban Professionals. The concept of the magazine developed from the need for mentors and mentorship in the urban community. Panoramic Magazine seeks to tell the stories of successful individuals and how they navigated life and achieved success.
May 2020-Present
OWNER, CREATOR
The Collection by Dennis Wilson
The Collection is a clothing line and accessories created by Mr. Dennis Wilson. Created to embody a lifestyle of success, excitement, and high quality of life; The Collection goes by the creed of "Work Hard, Look Good, Feel Good, Smell Good."
EVENT PROMOTIONS / PLANNER
THE NUMBER ONE URBAN EVENT PROMOTER IN WESTERN NEW YORK & SOUTHERN ONTARIO
For the past 20 years event promotions has been a staple in my life. Building on my professional, educational, and athletic relationships, has allowed me to become one of the top event planners on the east coast of the U.S. With over 100+ successful events under my belt, sky's the limit for our next phase.
SIGNATURE EVENTS
My two signatures events are in their 11th year. The Miami Nights All White Attire Affair is held every July at Buffalo Riverworks in Buffalo, NY. The event features a fashion show, cigar lounge, vendor market, and has an annual attendance of 2500+ guest, and continues to grow.
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The Presidential All Black Tie Affair is held every November at The Conference Center Niagara Falls. The event features a collaboration with the non-profit organization Buffalo Society of Black Nurses (formerly Black Nurses Rock Buffalo Chapter). The collaboration raises scholarship money for future nursing students in the area. The event features several themed rooms of entertainment including a live band and concert, as well as caribbean based room for our guest from Toronto and Rochester. The event has an annual of 1500+ guest, and continues to grow also.
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Past Partnerships Include:
Jaguar
Ciroc
Mass Mutual
Prudential
Five Star Bank
Heineken
Hennessy / Moet
Lyft
+ over 50 small area businesses
SIGNATURE TRIPS
What started as a travel birthday bus trip to NYC has turned into a full fledge travel club. With over 10+ trips, we have helped people see parts of the world and country they could only dream of.
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Our trips have included NYC, Atlantic City, Washington D.C/Baltimore, Las Vegas, Charlotte, Atlanta, London, Cancun, Miami and more.
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We're also huge fans of the Buffalo Bills and each year we select a road destination to attend. Travel, lodging, events, tailgating, and the actual game, are guest always have the time of their lives.
HAPPY HOUR / COMMUNITY RECOGNTION
For the past two years me and WBLK's Yasmin Young has recognized the work of Urban Professionals and groups in Western New York. The Happy Hour entitled "The Best Happy" is held every Friday at the Oakk Room Restaurant. Recognizing those who work hard for the betterment of our community is extremely important.
I firmly believe that partnerships help foster great relationships which in turn creates success. I look forward to building successful relationships that will allow me to continue create opportunities for others and make the community stronger.
