FOUNDER

Ms. Deborah Olivia Farmer is President of Brown Farmer Media Group, a full-service, Chicago & Atlanta-based communications firm. Established in 2014, the fast-growing firm provides strategic media advice and counsel to a select clientele that includes small businesses and entrepreneurs, faith-based and community organizations, media personalities, and more, throughout the Chicagoland area and nationwide.

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Ms. Farmer was born into a family that stressed loyalty to kin, community, church, and country. With that mantra instilled in her from birth, she has made a conscious, persistent effort to use her talents and hard work to reach personal goals, while assisting others in achieving theirs. Prior to forming her company, Ms. Farmer in 2006 was named Director of Station Relations at NBC5-TV Chicago, an NBC Universal owned and operated broadcast station. Serving as the link between the station and the community, she provided media exposure for hundreds of underserved non-profit organizations across the city of Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Under her leadership, NBC5 sponsored several community initiatives focusing on health & wellness, youth & education, and arts & culture including the Making A Difference Campaign, which raised awareness of those giving back to the community. Ms. Farmer also spearheaded the Community Action Board which served as the morale compass of the station, comprised of over 85 civic, business and community leaders from around the city. In addition, she launched NBC5's first-ever Women's History Month clothing drive benefiting WRAP, Clara’s House and The Primo Center for Women and Children, which became a model for drives across all the station groups.

 

Her stellar academic career was accentuated by participation in student government, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Pan-Hellenic Council, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Father Aquinas award recipient and culminated with Farmer earning a bachelor’s degree in Radio-TV Broadcasting in May 1995 from Lewis University. Her degree opened the door to an internship with World’s Greatest News (WGN-TV). Her goal was to learn from, and add to the station’s reputation as a national broadcast powerhouse.

 

She worked the assignment desk, a bit of a juggler in the circus-like world of television news, researching facts, getting wind of breaking news and sending reporting crews out to get the story, set-up video-shoots and even conducted interviews for airing. As her talent was increasingly recognized, Ms. Farmer was promoted to several positions including segment producer for WGN’s Morning News. In that capacity, she developed special segments and features such as “Unsung Heroes,” which touted noteworthy individuals who give back to the community, mirroring her own sense of commitment.

 

With a strong conviction to give back, Ms. Farmer works tirelessly in the community. She is a member of Rotary Southeast, where she lives out their motto, “Service Above Self”. She previously served on the boards of The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago’s Achievers program, Black Perspectives, and the United Way Diversity Committee, to name a few. Ms. Farmer was also recognized as one of “12 Women We Admire” by N’Digo magazine, as well as one of WVON-AM Radio’s and Ariel Investments’ “40 Under 40 Game Changers.” Deborah Olivia is an active advocate for the empowerment of Black women entrepreneurs in the Atlanta metropolitan area. She currently serves on the SAGE & BOSS Network Commission for Black Women Founders, a distinguished group comprising 40 accomplished Black women who have founded small businesses in this vibrant city. As Atlanta boasts the highest proportion of Black small business owners in the U.S., this Commission plays a pivotal role in addressing the unique challenges and opportunities within this thriving sector.

 

In addition to her work with the Commission, Deborah is an esteemed member of both the Atlanta Black Chambers and the Henry County Chambers, actively contributing to their missions. She and her adopted son, Joshua Daniel, proudly call Atlanta home and share membership at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, where they're under the spiritual guidance of Dr. Jamal Bryant. Deborah actively engages with the church community, serving on the Usher Board and contributing to the ministry's growth.

 

Furthermore, as the founder of Brown Farmer Media Group, Ms. Farmer plans to utilize the communications firm to provide strategic media advice and counsel to a diverse clientele, ranging from small businesses to large corporations and municipal entities. Through tailored marketing campaigns, impactful public relations initiatives, and innovative communication strategies, the firm aims to help clients enhance brand visibility, drive customer engagement, and achieve their business objectives effectively.