Dee 1
David Augustine Jr, better known as Dee-1, has dedicated his entire life to changing the world for the better. Along the way, he has carved out a unique niche in the business community as an acclaimed rapper, mathematics teacher, financial literacy expert, public speaker, and social influencer. Born and raised in New Orleans, Dee combines the hustle of an independent busi- ness owner with heart of an educator and the lyricism of a hip hop heavyweight. After graduating from Louisiana State University with a degree in marketing, Dee-1 began teaching middle school in Baton Rouge. But he wanted more. He de- vised a strategy to transition out of his 9-5 job into being a full time artist. Eventu- ally, he signed a major label recording contract with RCA Records. He has toured the country for the last 10 years, moving crowds from coast to coast while becoming one of the industry’s most respected artists. His business mind allowed him to get out of his deal and establish his own label, Mission Vision Music. Along the way, Dee-1 has also successfully expanded his enterprise to clothing, public speaking, acting, personal finance, and more. In 2020, Dee received the prestigious NAACP “Power of Influence” Award. Dee-1 is a frequent speaker at colleges, prisons, churches, and corporate events around the United States. He was also appointed by Governor John Bel Edwards to the “Louisiana Council on the Success of Black Men and Boys.” This made him the first rapper in Louisiana history to become an appointee of the governor.