Derrik Pannell is a Columbus-born serial entrepreneur, author, real estate developer, and cultural visionary whose journey from adversity to influence continues to inspire. With more than 40 years of entrepreneurial experience in business development, the restaurant industry and entertainment management, he has helped companies grow their reach and scale into multimillion-dollar enterprises.
His passion for entrepreneurship started long before his ultimate business success. As a teenager, he launched his own landscaping company — hiring friends, managing clients, and learning the importance of earning money and investing — but what truly mattered was learning how to build something from the ground up. That early experience sparked a lifelong passion for helping others do the same.
He understood early that entrepreneurship was a pathway to freedom — a way to rise above your circumstances. Known for his resilience and practical wisdom, Derrik has built a reputation as a mentor and advocate for entrepreneurship and community growth.
But over time, he wanted to do more than advise — he wanted to build spaces that truly supported entrepreneurs in their earliest, most challenging stages.
It started in Whitehall, where he began building out and renting office spaces for entrepreneurs. He quickly realized that most startups couldn’t afford traditional rent. So he got creative — divided spaces, brought in multiple tenants, and shared resources like utilities and Wi-Fi to make it all work. Before long, he had 15 to 16 offices with more than 50 entrepreneurs building their dreams under the same roof.
Through years of consulting and community work, he began to see a pattern. Many entrepreneurs, particularly those of color, weren’t failing because they lacked talent or ambition — they were failing because they lacked access: to education, to resources, and to capital.
That realization sparked a new mission. He wanted to create a space where entrepreneurs could find all three — a place rooted in unity, collaboration, and community. “Because if our culture is going to progress at a new pace, we need a new model — one built on mutual support, shared knowledge, and collective growth.”
Recognizing the importance of long-term sustainability, Pannell decided to purchase commercial properties that would house these entrepreneurs. This decision became the foundation of what would eventually grow into COED. In 2022, he founded the Columbus Center of Entrepreneurial Development (COED), transforming a 40,000-square-foot warehouse into a thriving hub for minority-owned businesses.
Today, COED Columbus supports more than 100 entrepreneurs and is expanding into Cleveland, Cincinnati, Atlanta, and Los Angeles—advancing Derrik’s mission to create equity and sustainable economic opportunity.
COED Worldwide isn’t just a business — it’s a movement born out of that vision — a community designed to nurture today’s entrepreneurs while preparing the next generation of business leaders of tomorrow. It’s not just about business; it’s about legacy. “The legacy he hopes COED leaves behind is simple but powerful: That our people are resilient, brilliant, socially connected, and deserving — and that together, we can redefine what success looks like for our culture and our future.”
A passionate jazz preservationist, Derrik has owned and operated the Blu Note Jazz Café in Columbus since 2019. Building on its success, he expanded his vision downtown with Blu Note on Town in the Discovery District (2025) and is set to open Blu Note on Rich in Franklinton’s emerging Music and Art District in 2026. This three-story venue will feature a rooftop and outdoor amphitheater, offering a cultural hub where music, art, and community intersect. Across all locations, Derrik’s venues demonstrate how jazz transcends cultural, professional, and generational divides—anchoring neighborhood revitalization through the arts.
As an author, Derrik has written several books on entrepreneurship, leadership, and wealth-building, including The Best Entrepreneur’s Guide to Understanding Wealth and Developing the Entrepreneur Mind. His direct, experience-driven approach resonates with readers and audiences seeking practical strategies for growth and success.
Derrik Pannell is more than an entrepreneur and developer—he is a mentor, cultural steward, and urban catalyst whose passion for business, music, and community continues to shape the future of Columbus and beyond.
