Dr. Derrick Lee Foward

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But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 

For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.

But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

Dr. Derrick Lee Foward is a native of Dayton, Ohio. He grew up in Jefferson Township. Foward graduated from Christ Temple Christian School as class valedictorian. He was a leader on the Christ Temple Warriors basketball team averaging 34.7 points a game in his junior year. Foward is a member of Christ Temple Apostolic Faith Church. After high school, he attended Central State University where he graduated with a dual Bachelor of Science Degree in Management and Marketing on June 17, 1990. Due to his academic achievement, he entered CSU with 4 scholarships and left the university with a zero balance. He is a Life Member of the CSU GAA and a Member of the CSU Greater Dayton Alumni Chapter. Foward was inducted into the Central State University Alumni Achievement Hall of Fame on March 1, 2016. Pursuing his graduate studies, he received his Master's Degree in Administration and Organization from International Apostolic University of Grace and Truth on July 13, 2002. He received a Doctorate of Humane Letters from IAUGT on September 30, 2018. Foward believes that education open doors to unlimited possibilities.  

Professionally, Foward retired from Speedway LLC / 7-Eleven, Inc., with more than 28 years of loyal and dedicated service. He served as a Store Manager, District Manager, Associate Category Manager (Cigarettes), Food Service Sales Rep., Facility Income Sales Coordinator, Associate Category Manager (Services), Fleet Relations Rep., Account Management Rep. and retired as a Program Manager. Out of 17,000 employees at Speedway, Foward received the coveted Living Our Values “Volunteer of the Year” Award in 2012. He established the business relationship between Speedway and Central State University & Wilberforce University which has resulted in many job and scholarship opportunities for students as well as sponsorship opportunities for both Universities.   

Foward implemented a Mentoring Program & Externship Program for College Students at Central State University, Wright State University, University of Dayton and Wilberforce University to educate them about various Civil Rights issues and how to address these issues in a very profound, professional and productive manner. Foward has lobbied Members of Congress on numerous occasions and mentored college students as they lobbied their State Elected Officials at the Ohio Statehouse.

Foward has served as the President of the Dayton Unit of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) since January1, 2007. He is currently serving in his 9th two-year term. Foward is also in his 7th two-year term as a Vice President of the NAACP for the State of Ohio. Additionally, Foward serves as a member of the NAACP National Life Membership Committee and Chairman of the NAACP National Credentials Committee. Under his distinguished leadership, the Dayton Unit NAACP has raised $2.9M and has a budget surplus of $224,785. He has personally raised $291,620 in membership money since becoming a member of the organization on March 13, 2002.

Foward is a community servant, serving on many boards to include Northern Hills Neighborhood Association; CountyCorp Development; Dayton International Peace Museum; International Apostolic University of Grace and Truth; Central State University Greater Dayton Alumni Chapter; Equity Lodge #121; and Amer Temple #107.

Foward is married to his lovely wife Tiwona and together they have five children, three grandchildren and three godchildren.

His personal motto: If I can help somebody as I pass along, if I can cheer somebody with word or song, if I can show somebody he's traveling wrong, then my living will not be in vain.

"Move Forward With Foward"