Rakiem Walker is a saxophonist, musical director, arranger, producer, and cultural entrepreneur who brings decades of artistic excellence and business leadership to his role as Chair of the Board of Directors of the WEG Foundation. Born in Brooklyn and raised in Harlem and the Bronx, Walker’s deep roots in New York City’s music community, from studying under jazz legends Max Roach, Donald Byrd, and Milt Hinton at the Harlem Jazzmobile workshops to performing and recording alongside Roy Ayers, Gil Scott-Heron, The RZA, and members of the Wu-Tang Clan, give him an unparalleled understanding of music’s power to shape communities and transform lives.
As founder and CEO of Walker Entertainment Group, LLC, Walker has built a multifaceted organization that spans artist management, live performance, record distribution, event production, and instrument design. His ensemble, The Rakiem Walker Project, has brought the authentic sound of New York to stages across the United States and internationally, including sold-out shows in Sweden with acclaimed artist Jason “Timbuktu” Diakté, and has been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, and Bon Appétit.
As Chair, Walker brings to the WEG Foundation a proven record of cultivating talent, building creative infrastructure, and connecting artists with audiences across cultures and generations. His vision is rooted in the belief that music is a universal language and that access to it is a right, not a privilege.
