Adrian A. Dortch

Adrian Dortch was born and raised in Evanston, Illinois, and is the youngest of two children. He is a graduate of Evanston public schools and studied music and business at Columbia College in Chicago. His passion for business and music led him to establish Big Banc Productions in 1997. Big Banc Productions is a full service multimedia and creative consulting company specializing in music production and recording, as well as songwriting, composition, marketing, promotion, theatrical productions, photography, and film.

Personally, Adrian has had much success as an entrepreneur, singer, songwriter, producer, actor, voice over artist, and commercial jingle singer. Some of his clients, among others, have included Oprah Winfrey, Seal, David Foster, Snoop Dogg, Paul Anka, McDonald’s, and Chicago’s WGCI radio. With a vocal career that began at the age of five, Adrian has become a highly sought-after vocalist for many pop, r&b, inspirational, and hip hop artist’s album projects and is currently writing and producing his own debut album.

Adrian has always had a passion for community service. Some of his achievements include running for Alderman and a seat on Districts 65 and 202 School Boards in Evanston. He has worked as an activist and mentor for youth and as an advocate for the strengthening of their families. His philanthropic service to his community furthered his passion and commitment to nurturing families and in 1999, Adrian founded Entrepreneur Endeavors, Inc, a non-profit organization with a mission to improve the quality of life and enhance the educational and economic opportunities for all. From its launch to present, the organization has nurtured the goals of participants wanting to become entrepreneurs by teaching and imparting the fundamentals of business, technology, and leadership. The program teaches participants to set measurable goals while laying a foundation for a lifestyle that promotes vision, integrity, discipline, health and wellness, life skills, and volunteering for the betterment of family and community. With a roster of over 400 participants, the organization has had much success and has become a model for the start of other organizations throughout Evanston and the surrounding communities.

Adrian is actively involved in the daily operations of all of his businesses and non – profit endeavors.  In addition to his many business and philanthropic ventures, including the launch of Ascot by Adrian, an ascot apparel line, Yo, Adrian!, his healthy cooking show, and work as a motivational speaker and creative consultant/“idea man”, Adrian has added the titles of personal trainer, health and wellness consultant, and lifestyle transformation consultant to his credentials. As a young child, Adrian was thin and active, but around the age of ten, he began putting on weight, and at one point as an adult, his weight climbed as high as 420 pounds. After losing his first child, Adrian fell into a depression and found comfort in food, masking the pain. Morbidly obese and diagnosed with diabetes, clogged arteries, and sleep apnea, his prospects for a long life seemed dim. Adrian’s “aha” moment came while his wife was carrying their second child. While sitting in a movie theater consuming a king-sized candy bar and large soda, Adrian became faint and was

rushed to the hospital. It was at this point that the doctor said if he did not make some real changes, he would not be here. After that, Adrian committed to walking ten miles every day and making healthier food choices. In doing this, he began to shed weight, losing 50 pounds. As a part of his weight loss journey, Adrian competed on the nationally televised weight loss show NBC’s The Biggest Loser. By transforming his lifestyle, reversing his negative diagnoses through health and wellness, Adrian’s toil and devotion led him to victory in eight and a half months, losing 200 pounds.

Adrian continues to be a shining example for his family, friends, and community that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.