Three-time Emmy-nominated entrepreneur and producer Derrick N. Ashong (DNA) is the founder of TBTM Studios, and creator and host of The Mic: Africa, which has won 5 Telly Awards (2 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze), opposite the biggest companies in Media & Entertainment. Season 3 of the interactive music competition and docu-series recently concluded in proud association with MTN and ayoba, across 40+ African countries via Premium Free TV, and worldwide on the TBTM app. A son of Accra, Ghana, Derrick also grew up in Flatbush, Brooklyn and in the Persian Gulf, excelled academically, and made it to Harvard University. He went on to act in Steven Spielberg’s Amistad, become a TV host and producer, and Billboard-recognized Hip Hop songwriter. Derrick is a pioneer in producing multi-platform interactive content for global audiences, and has hosted his own radio show for Oprah; created award-winning TV shows for ABC/Disney and Al Jazeera; has spoken at the United Nations, MIT, Harvard, Wharton, and Stanford Business Schools, the London School of Economics, and UK Parliament on issues of Tech & Society. Constantly breaking barriers, and redefining paradigms, Derrick created the blockchain-based Take Back the Mic (TBTM) entertainment platform (available in Google & iOS stores and on the web at tbtm.app) to reward fans and creators.