30+ Years in Media
$1B Revenue Generated
Harvard JD/MBA Graduate
25+ Films Produced
Film Director, Producer & Media Executive
Doug McHenry is a distinguished filmmaker and media executive with over thirty years of experience in content development, production, distribution, and monetization. As the founder of ElephantWalk Entertainment and current CEO of Soul of the South Television, he has produced and directed over 25 major films and generated over $1 billion in worldwide revenue.
← Back to Board MembersA comprehensive collection of films spanning four decades
View Full IMDb Profile →Through ElephantWalk Entertainment since 1991, Doug has consistently delivered exceptional results, attracting investment from major Hollywood studios and networks including Warner Brothers, Sony Pictures, Fox, and all major broadcast networks.
Started as assistant to Peter Guber, Chairman of Casablanca Records and Filmworks, quickly rising to Director of legal and business affairs. Worked on major productions including "Thank God It's Friday," "Foxes," and "The Hollywood Knights."
Served as VP and head of TV Content for Avco Embassy Pictures, expanding expertise in television production and content development.
President of Video and Film for Solar Records, building expertise in music industry operations and video production.
Served as VP of Production for Quincy Jones Entertainment, working alongside one of the most influential figures in entertainment history and gaining invaluable industry connections.
Founded Jackson/McHenry Company in 1984 with partner George Jackson, producing for Warner Brothers. Established ElephantWalk Entertainment in 1986, launching what would become a billion-dollar revenue generating production company. Produced breakthrough hit "Krush Groove" (1985) and the iconic "New Jack City" (1991).
Made directorial debut with "House Party 2" (1991). Directed critically acclaimed films including "Jason's Lyric" (1994), "The Brothers" (2001), and "Kingdom Come" (2001). Continued producing through ElephantWalk Entertainment with major Hollywood partnerships.
Named CEO and Principal of Soul of the South Television, a national broadcast TV network (Diginet), expanding influence in the evolving digital television landscape and culturally relevant programming.
Bachelor of Arts in Economics (1973)
First African American Student Body President in university history
First African American Student Board Trustee
Juris Doctor (JD) - 1977
Successfully completed prestigious legal program
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - 1977
Dual JD/MBA program graduate
Licensed Attorney
Passed California State Bar Examination (1977)
Son of US Army Colonel Irvin McHenry
Born at Fort Knox, Kentucky
Grew up on Army Bases, instilling discipline and leadership values
Achieved highest rank in Boy Scouts
Demonstrating early leadership and commitment to excellence
CEO & Principal - Leading a national broadcast TV network (Diginet) focused on culturally relevant programming and community engagement across the southern United States.
Managing Partner - Overseeing the production company that has generated over $1 billion in worldwide revenue since 1986, with partnerships across major Hollywood studios.
Currently serves on the Boards of Wessler Media Corp and Slang TV, LLC., providing strategic guidance to emerging media companies and technology platforms.
Partner (since 2022) - Providing strategic consulting services for media and entertainment ventures.
Throughout his career, Doug has attracted investment and partnerships from Hollywood's most prestigious companies, demonstrating his ability to build relationships and deliver results at the highest levels of the entertainment industry.
Strategic partnership and investment in ElephantWalk Entertainment projects, leveraging Warner's distribution and production capabilities. Founding partner for Jackson/McHenry Company.
Major partnership for content development and distribution, accessing Fox's global network and resources for multiple film projects.
Investment and collaboration on multiple film and television projects, utilizing Sony's international distribution network.
Direct partnerships with ABC, NBC, and CBS for television content creation, production, and distribution across major broadcast networks.
Produced the groundbreaking "New Jack City" (1991) for New Line Cinema, one of the studio's most successful films and a cultural phenomenon.
Investment partnership during the independent film boom, contributing to diverse and innovative content creation.
Oscar voting member since 1991, recognizing his significant contribution to the film industry
Professional organization for film and television producers
Industry association member since 1992 for film and television directors
Broadcast Leadership Training Program (BLT) member
Board member of the Summit from 1990 to 1998, supporting emerging Black filmmakers
Active member supporting Stanford's Black community and students
Active member of Harvard's African American business community
A landmark film in African American cinema, "New Jack City" became a cultural phenomenon and box office success. Starring Wesley Snipes, Ice-T, and Chris Rock, the film addressed urban drug culture with unprecedented authenticity and style. McHenry's production work helped launch the careers of several major stars and established New Line Cinema as a major player in urban cinema.
McHenry's directorial work on "Jason's Lyric" showcased his ability to craft emotionally resonant drama. Starring Jada Pinkett Smith, Allen Payne, and Forest Whitaker, the film explored themes of family, redemption, and love in urban America. The film is noted for its poetic cinematography and powerful performances.
Directed by McHenry, "The Brothers" offered a sophisticated look at professional African American men navigating relationships and commitment. The ensemble cast and witty dialogue resonated with audiences, demonstrating McHenry's versatility as a filmmaker.
McHenry's work on the "House Party" franchise as producer and director helped define a generation of hip-hop influenced cinema. The films combined comedy, music, and coming-of-age themes, creating a lasting cultural legacy.
One of McHenry's early production successes, "Krush Groove" captured the emergence of hip-hop culture and featured performances by Run-DMC, LL Cool J, and the Beastie Boys. The film became a time capsule of hip-hop's golden era and launched several music careers.
Doug's unique combination of legal training, business acumen, and creative vision has positioned him as a leader who can navigate the complex intersection of art and commerce in the entertainment industry. His Stanford economics background and Harvard JD/MBA provide him with the analytical tools to evaluate opportunities and mitigate risks while maintaining creative integrity.
His military upbringing as the son of an Army Colonel instilled discipline and strategic thinking, while his historic achievement as Stanford's first African American Student Body President demonstrates his ability to break barriers and lead diverse organizations. The Eagle Scout recognition reflects his early commitment to leadership, service, and excellence.
Through ElephantWalk Entertainment, Doug has proven his ability to create sustainable business models that attract major studio investment while maintaining creative independence. His films have consistently addressed authentic African American experiences while achieving commercial success, proving that culturally specific stories have universal appeal when told with integrity and skill.
His work with Soul of the South Television represents his commitment to culturally relevant programming that serves underrepresented communities while building profitable enterprises. This approach combines social impact with business sustainability—a philosophy that has defined his entire career.
Doug's four decades in entertainment have been marked by consistent innovation and adaptation to industry changes. From traditional theatrical distribution to cable television, home video, streaming services, and digital broadcast networks, he has successfully navigated every major transformation in media distribution and monetization.
His filmography represents over $1 billion in worldwide revenue, but more importantly, his films have shaped cultural conversations and created opportunities for diverse talent both in front of and behind the camera. Films like "New Jack City" and "Jason's Lyric" are studied in film schools and remain culturally relevant decades after their release.
His role at DDP represents the next evolution of his career—applying entertainment industry expertise to sustainable development and community impact. The combination of his legal background, business acumen, and deep understanding of content monetization makes him uniquely qualified to evaluate and develop the entertainment components of DDP's municipal development projects.
Doug's vision extends beyond traditional entertainment to encompass how media and content can drive economic development, create jobs, and build sustainable revenue streams for communities. His track record demonstrates that this vision is not aspirational—it's proven and achievable. He brings to DDP not just entertainment credibility, but a sophisticated understanding of how content creation intersects with real estate development, community building, and long-term value creation.
