{{Short description|American director, producer, author and entrepreneur}} {{Use American English|date=December 2021}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = David Freeman Wooley | image = File:Dave Wooley Photo 2024.jpg | alt = | caption = Dave Wooley in 2024 | birth_name = <!-- only use if different from name --> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1960|04|09}} | birth_place = Harlem, New York, U.S. | death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (DEATH date then BIRTH date) --> | death_place = | nationality = <!-- use only when necessary per WP:INFONAT --> | other_names = Dave Wooley | alma_mater = Wilmington University Education: Wilmington University BBA & MBA | occupation = {{flatlist| * Director * producer * author * entrepreneur}} | spouse = {{marriage|Debora Wooley|2023}} | children = 2<br> Veda Davida Wooley <br> Davina E'man Wooley | years_active = 1981–present | known_for = | notable_works = CNN Documentary <br>Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over <br> The Clash of the Legends: Julius "Dr. J" Erving vs Kareem Abdul-Jabbar<br> Talent/Content Advisor: Biden/Harris Presidential Inaugural Committee }}
'''David Freeman Wooley''' (born April 9, 1960) is an American director, producer, author and entrepreneur based in Wilmington, Delaware. His most notable accomplishments include long-standing work with Dionne Warwick, and collaborations with Julius "Dr. J" Erving.
The NAACP Image Awards announced on January 25, 2024, that Wooley is nominated in the category for Outstanding Directing in a documentary television or film, for his documentary, Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over.<ref name="Deadline Hollywood">{{cite web |last1=Hipes |first1=Patrick |title=Colman Domingo, Keke Palmer, Ayo Edebiri, Victoria Monét Lead NAACP Image Awards Nominations |url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/2024-naacp-image-awards-nominations-list-1235804254/ |website=Deadline |access-date=25 January 2024 |date=25 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=McGovern |first1=Joe |title=The Color Purple Dominates 2024 NAACP Image Award Nominations |url=https://www.thewrap.com/naacp-image-award-nominees-full-list-2024/ |website=TheWrap |access-date=25 January 2024 |date=25 January 2024}}</ref>
== Early life == Wooley was born and raised in Harlem, New York to parents Herman and Bettye Wooley. The family lived in the Frederick Douglass housing projects. Wooley was six years old when he began taking drum lessons from Nigerian musician, Babatunde Olatunji. During his elementary years, Wooley attended Holy Name Catholic School and graduated from the all-boys private Rice High School in Harlem, New York. In 1980, Wooley re-located to Wilmington, Delaware attending, Wilmington University where he received a BBA and MBA.<ref>{{cite web |title=Don't Make Her Over – News at WilmU |date=April 27, 2023 |url=https://blog.wilmu.edu/news/2023/04/27/dont-make-her-over/ |access-date=8 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=First to the Bench – News at WilmU |date=July 17, 2018 |url=https://blog.wilmu.edu/news/2018/07/17/first-to-the-bench/ |access-date=8 July 2023}}</ref>
== Career == Wooley launched his career in the entertainment industry as a teenage drummer, recording with professionals including gospel singer Cissy Houston, and R&B/Jazz artist Norman Connors. In 1981, Wooley founded his production company, Dave Wooley Productions. Later, he also spent seven years as president and co-owner of DJ Group, a sports entertainment company, along with Julius "Dr J" Erving.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://screenmag.com/dave-wooley-explains-how-to-make-a-dionne-warwick-film/|title=Dave Wooley Explains How to Make a Dionne Warwick Film|first=Daniel|last=Patton|website=Screen Magazine|date=November 12, 2021}}</ref> As a producer, Wooley has worked with Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Run-DMC, Loretta Lynn, and Tony Bennett.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/mister-smith-boards-dionne-warwick-doc-dont-make-me-over/5117258.article|title=Mister Smith boards Dionne Warwick doc 'Don't Make Me Over'|first=Jeremy|last=Kay|website=Screen Daily|date=April 28, 2017}}</ref>
===Collaboration=== Wooley's most extensive collaborations are with Dionne Warwick, his business partner whom he has worked with for over 25 years.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Complex |first1=Valerie |title='Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over' Directors Gush Over Legendary Singer- TIFF Studio |url=https://deadline.com/video/dionne-warwick-dont-make-me-over-tiff-studio/ |website=Deadline |access-date=8 January 2025 |date=14 September 2021}}</ref> He co-written three books with her tilted, "Say A Little Prayer", "Little Man" and her autobiography, ''My Life, As I See It''—and produced her 50th anniversary gala at Lincoln Center.<ref name=DelawareToday>{{Cite web|url=https://delawaretoday.com/life-style/first-11|title=Celebrating with Dionne|website=Delaware Today|date=December 7, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1424342.David_Freeman_Wooley|title=Bibliography:David Freeman Wooley|website=Goodreads}}</ref> He also wrote, produced, and co-directed the documentary Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over. This movie follows the life and career of Warwick. The film received a standing ovation at the Toronto International Film Festival and won first runner-up for the People's Choice Award for Documentaries,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/dionne-warwick-star-documentary-smiling-80009104|title=Dionne Warwick, star of a new documentary, keeps smiling|first=Jake|last=Coyle|website=ABC News|date=September 14, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/belfast-wins-toronto-film-festivals-peoples-choice-award/|title='Belfast' Wins Toronto Film Festival's People's Choice Award|first=Steve|last=Pond|website=The Wrap|date=September 18, 2021}}</ref> later also winning the Best Feature honor at the Gene Siskel Film Center's Black Harvest Film Festival,<ref name=ReelChicago>{{Cite web|url=https://reelchicago.com/article/gene-siskel-center-presents-black-harvest-film-festival-prize/|title=Gene Siskel Center presents Black Harvest Film Festival prize|website=Reel Chicago|date=November 5, 2020}}</ref> receiving Centerpiece Screening at DOC NYC,<ref name=DOCNYC>{{Cite web|url=https://www.docnyc.net/film/dionne-warwick-dont-make-me-over/|title=Centerpiece Screening: Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over|website=DOC NYC}}</ref> and landing the Audience Award at the 2021 Montclair Film Festival.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/austin-film-festival-monclair-1234866159/|title='Montclair Honors 'The Worst Person In The World; 'Disfluency' Wins Narrative Award At Austin Film Festival – Fest Briefs|first=Valerie|last=Complex|website=Deadline|date=November 1, 2021}}</ref> In a positive review of the documentary, Victor Stiff of ''That Shelf'' wrote, "[Co-director David Heilbroner] and Wooley pack their film with everything you want from a musical documentary: fantastic music, a one-of-a-kind star, and deep-cut stories from family and friends. It's an inspiring tale of overcoming the odds, filled with beautiful music and prudent life lessons along the way."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thatshelf.com/tiff-2021-dionne-warwick-dont-make-me-over-review/|title=TIFF 2021: Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over Review|first=Victor|last=Stiff|website=That Shelf|date=September 16, 2021}}</ref> The film also features, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Quincy Jones, Burt Bacharach, Carlos Santana, Berry Gordy, Bill Clinton, Gladys Knight, Clive Davis, Barry Gibb, Gloria Estefan, Smokey Robinson, Cissy Houston, Alicia Keys, and Snoop Dogg.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Terrell Smith |title=Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over — release date, trailer and everything we know about the documentary |url=https://www.whattowatch.com/watching-guides/dionne-warwick-dont-make-me-over-release-date-trailer-and-everything-we-know-about-the-documentary |website=whattowatch.com |access-date=7 February 2025 |language=en |date=26 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Gleiberman |first1=Owen |title='Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over' Review: One of the Most Transcendent of All Pop Singers Gets a Solid Documentary |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/reviews/dionne-warwick-dont-make-me-over-review-burt-bacharach-1235198591/ |website=Variety |access-date=7 February 2025 |date=9 March 2022}}</ref> The documentary premiered on CNN on January 1, 2023, debuting at #1 among cable news viewers aged 25–54.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2023/01/04/cnn-new-years-eve-ratings//|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104223107/https://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2023/01/04/cnn-new-years-eve-ratings/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 4, 2023|title=CNN Rings in 2023 #1 in Cable News for New Year Special Programming and CNN Films'|website=CNN Press Room|date=January 4, 2023|access-date=January 4, 2023}}</ref> As of July 2023, the documentary has a Rotten Tomatoes critic's rating of 91% and audience rating of 100%.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over - Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/dionne_warwick_dont_make_me_over |website=www.rottentomatoes.com |access-date=8 July 2023 |language=en}}</ref> After the broadcast, it was made available on HBO Max.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/dionne-warwick-dont-make-me-over-cnn-premiere-date-cnn-films-documentary-directors-dave-wooley-david-heilbroner-news-1235098056/|title=CNN Sets Jan. 1 Premiere Date For CNN Films' 'Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over,' Doc On Singer With "Grace, Grit, Singular Talent"|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Matthew|last=Carey|date=August 23, 2022|access-date=September 1, 2022}}</ref>
On April 26, 2024, Wooley gave a speech, and introduced Warwick prior to her getting inducted into The National Rhythm and Blues Music Society's Atlantic City Walk of Fame.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Writer |first1=SELENA VAZQUEZ Staff |title=The Chi-Lites, Dionne Warwick inducted into AC Walk of Fame |url=https://pressofatlanticcity.com/life-entertainment/local/music/warwick-chilites-atlanticcity-walkoffame/article_cf3a7d9e-03d1-11ef-9382-b331c12138ec.html |website=Press of Atlantic City |access-date=7 February 2025 |language=en |date=26 April 2024}}</ref>
===Other projects=== Wooley's career has extended into the sports sector. In 1988 he rose to prominence as the only Black man in the country to be awarded exclusive paid-per-view and closed-circuit television broadcasting rights for several entire states to the Mike Tyson versus Michael Spinks "Once And For All" match – the largest fight in history at the time. The fight grossed over seventy million dollars.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://newyorktrendnyc.com/2021/05/17/producer-dave-wooley-featured-in-abc-tv-documentary-mike-tyson-the-knockout/|title=Producer Dave Wooley Featured In ABC-TV Documentary, "Mike Tyson: The Knockout"|website=New York Trend|date=May 17, 2021}}</ref> He was subsequently featured in the 2021 documentary series ''Mike Tyson: The Knockout.'' Wooley was also awarded exclusive paid-per-view and closed-circuit television broadcast rights for several states to other championship fights including, the 1991 match-up, George Foreman vs Evander Holyfield.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wilmington Renames Street After Veteran Entrepreneur, Director & Producer Dave Wooley {{!}} NationalBlackGuide.com |url=https://nationalblackguide.com/article/wilmington-renames-street-after-veteran-entrepreneur-director-producer-dave-f-wooley.html |website=nationalblackguide.com |access-date=14 August 2023 |language=en |date=1 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/people-close-mike-tyson-give-personal-mistakes-losses/story?id=77880798|title=People close to Mike Tyson give personal look at his mistakes, losses and triumphs in new documentary|first1=Emily|last1=Taguchi|first2=Ashley|last2=Louszko|first3=Roxanna |last3=Sherwood|first4=Alan B.|last4=Goldberg|first5=Allie|last5=Yang|website=ABC News|date=June 2, 2021}}</ref>
In 1993, Wooley had a vision to develop an area of Wilmington Delaware Christina Riverfront into a family style entertainment destination by building a movie theatre and restaurants then called, Riverview Plaza. Later that year, It became a close reality when, Enterprise Developers Corporation led by Wooley which included, Julius "Dr.J" Erving, and investment banker, Malcolm D. Pryor Sr., won Wilmington City Council's request for proposal (RFP), during Mayor, James H. Sills, Jr's administration.<ref>{{cite web |title=The News Journal from Wilmington, Delaware |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/158990397/ |website=Newspapers.com |access-date=8 July 2023 |language=en |date=29 July 1993}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The News Journal from Wilmington, Delaware |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/159428810/ |website=Newspapers.com |access-date=8 July 2023 |language=en |date=14 July 1995}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Part 2 Wooley Riverview Plaza |url=https://delawareonline.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal-part-2-wooley-riverview/127334514/ |website=The News Journal |access-date=8 July 2023 |pages=4 |date=14 July 1995}}</ref>
Wooley was the sole producer who came up with the idea for "The Clash of the Legends," a paid-per view TV hoopfest of 1992, which pitted retired NBA basketball players Julius "Dr. J" Erving and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar against one another.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/1992/02/28/kareen-abdul-jabbar-vs-dr-j/|title=Kareen Abdul-Jabbar vs. Dr. J|first=Kate|last=Meyers|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=February 28, 1992|access-date=October 19, 2021|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019211429/https://ew.com/article/1992/02/28/kareen-abdul-jabbar-vs-dr-j/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Wooley described the event as a spiritual descendent of the one-on-one games played between neighborhood legends in his native Harlem.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-02-23-tv-4855-story.html|title=A Half-Court Gamble : Abdul-Jabbar and Dr. J Take It to the Hoop in $19.95 'Clash' |first=Steven|last=Herbert|website=Los Angeles Times|date=February 23, 1992}}</ref> Proceeds from the event went to benefit the American Foundation for AIDS Research, as well as the Magic Johnson Foundation, a charity established by the retired Laker star to battle against the HIV virus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-1992-02-29-2839431-story.html|title=Jabbar Routs Dr. J in 'Legends' Clash|first=Keith|last=Groller|website=The Morning Call|date=February 29, 1992}}</ref>
In 2024, Wooley served as Vice Chair for amFar (American Foundation for Aids Research), which held their fundraising gala in Palm Beach, Florida. The non-profit organization honored award-winning singer Dionne Warwick for her work as a trailblazer in HIV/Aids activism. Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees presented the award to Warwick. Recording artist Sting was the featured performer. The event raised 4.1 million dollars.<ref>{{cite web |title=amfAR Palm Beach 2024 |url=https://www.amfar.org/events/amfar-palm-beach-2024/ |website=amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research |access-date=1 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Tom Ford, Kris Jenner, Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger Gathered at AmfAR Palm Beach |url=https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/amfar-palm-beach-2024 |website=Vogue |access-date=1 April 2024 |date=4 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title='That's What Friends Are For': Dionne Warwick to be honored for AIDS activism at Palm Beach gala |url=https://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/story/news/2024/03/01/dionne-warwick-to-be-honored-by-aids-nonprofit-at-palm-beach-gala/72777256007/ |website=Palm Beach Daily News |access-date=1 April 2024}}</ref>
In May 2024, Wooley co-produced the, "Don't Make Me Over" Europe Tour, which included performances in London, Scotland, Ireland, and Dublin. As part of the performance, Wooley interviewed Dionne Warwick on stage as she recalled stories and events from her life. This was supported by footage from Warwick's, "Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over" documentary film.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McCarthy |first1=James Martin |title=We went to the last night of Dionne Warwick's tour and her story was fascinating |url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-opinion/went-final-night-dionne-warwicks-29246752 |website=Belfast Live |access-date=10 June 2024 |language=en |date=27 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Young Dionne Warwick fan overjoyed as star goes out of way to sign poster |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/young-dionne-warwick-fan-overjoyed-130235883.html |website=Yahoo News |access-date=10 June 2024 |date=31 May 2024}}</ref>
== Awards and recognition == In 2009, Wooley's children's book ''Say a Little Prayer''—co-authored with Warwick and Tonya Bolden, and illustrated by Soud—was nominated for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work, Children's.
In October 2015, then-Wilmington Mayor Dennis Williams formally honored Wooley with a key to the city for his work promoting Wilmington, in particular the creation of the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://6abc.com/in-delaware-tuesday-night-community-leader-david-freeman-wooley-was-recognized-for-all-the-work-he%27s-done-promoting-wilmington/1032099/|title=Friend of Wilmington Honored|website=6abc|date=October 14, 2015}}</ref>
In 2020, Wooley was named Talent/Content Advisor for the Biden/Harris Presidential Inaugural Committee.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sobookingcool.com/2021/05/25/interview-with-producer-entrepreneur-dave-wooley-part-1/|title=Interview With Producer & Entrepreneur Dave Wooley! (PART 1)|website=So Booking Cool|date=May 25, 2021}}</ref>
In 2022, the city of Wilmington performed a street naming ceremony in Wooley's honor, designating the corner of 16th and Claymont Street "David F. Wooley Way."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://delawareblack.com/wilmington-renames-street-after-veteran-entrepreneur-director-producer-dave-f-wooley/|title=Wilmington Renames Street After Veteran Entrepreneur, Director & Producer Dave Wooley|website=Delaware Black|date=March 1, 2022}}</ref>
In 2023, Wooley was featured on the cover of ''HBCU Times''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hbcutimes.com|title=HBCU Times: 2023 Summer Issue|website=HBCU Times|access-date=June 29, 2023}}</ref>
On December 8, 2023, Wooley received an honorary doctoral degree from Huron University in recognition of his body of work.<ref>{{cite web |title=Huron University Confers Honorary Doctorate to Award-Winning Producer, Director, Author and Entrepreneur, David Freeman Wooley |url=https://huronatwestern.ca/news/huron-university-confers-honorary-doctorate-to-award-winning-producer-director-author-and-entrepreneur-david-freeman-wooley/ |website=Huron University |date=December 14, 2023 |access-date=8 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Anthony |first1=Florence |title=Go With The Flo |url=https://amsterdamnews.com/news/2023/12/28/go-with-the-flo-87/ |website=New York Amsterdam News |access-date=8 January 2024 |date=28 December 2023}}</ref>
The NAACP Image Awards announced on January 25, 2024, that Wooley is nominated in the category for Outstanding Directing in a documentary television or film, for his documentary, Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over.<ref name="Deadline Hollywood"/><ref>{{cite web |last1=McGovern |first1=Joe |title=The Color Purple Dominates 2024 NAACP Image Award Nominations |url=https://www.thewrap.com/naacp-image-award-nominees-full-list-2024/ |website=TheWrap |access-date=25 January 2024 |date=25 January 2024}}</ref>
== Personal life == Wooley grew up in Harlem, New York, before relocating to Wilmington in 1980. He raised two daughters from the ages of two, and three years old until adulthood as a single custodial father. Veda Davida Wooley a practicing attorney, and Davina a computer engineer, who received an MS in Computer Science from Georgia Tech. He has been an adjunct professor at Wilmington University's College of Business since 1996, where he teaches business and marketing classes.<ref name=DelawareToday/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.wilmu.edu/news/2018/07/17/first-to-the-bench/|title=Student Veda Wooley will be attending the Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law this fall as the first Wilmington University alum to be admitted.|website=News at WilmU:First to the Bench|date=July 17, 2018}}</ref>
== External links == *{{IMDb name|1737295}} *[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MA3Es2-end7dW21g-fOqWflZrV7b5-Cd/view Dave Wooley Riverfront TV Interview]
== References == <!-- See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Referencing_for_beginners on how to create references. --> {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wooley, Dave}} Category:21st-century American writers Category:American businesspeople Category:American directors Category:American producers Category:Film directors from Delaware Category:Film producers from Delaware Category:Living people Category:Writers from Delaware Category:1960 births