Neighborhood Leaders Believe in Derrick!
Gwen Buchanan, President - Carillon Civic Council
I am supporting Derrick Foward for the 38th House District of Ohio. I have known Derrick for over 20 years, having previously served with him on the Dayton Chapter NAACP Executive Committee many years ago. For the past 18 years, he has served as Dayton Chapter president which has received many national awards, including him receiving the NAACP Image Award for Activist of the Year in 2023. Our youth chapter have also received many awards and all 3 of my children were involved in the youth chapter which provided them the opportunity to travel the country, serve in their community and learn to be leaders. I believe Derrick is the right person for the job!
Legislators Believe in Derrick!
Honorable Fred Strahorn
Honorable Roland Winburn
Honorable Fred Strahorn
Former Ohio State Senator
Former Ohio State Representative
Get Engaged
Honorable Roland Winburn
Honorable Fred Strahorn
Honorable Roland Winburn
Honorable Roland Winburn
Honorable Roland Winburn
Former Ohio State Representative
Employees Believe in Derrick!
Quiana Williams, Operations Leader - Toyota Motor Company
I was looking for a job right after I graduated from Antioch University McGregor with my master’s degree in management. I attended a job fair at Central State University where I met Derrick Foward. He was working for Speedway LLC providing job opportunities to students. I was so emotional that I started crying during the On-the Spot interview. I shared with him how I needed to show the world I was a great leader. Derrick and I both graduated from Central State University, and he gave a fellow Centralian an opportunity for a leadership role at Speedway, and for that, I will always be incredibly grateful to him.
Derrick helped me understand what skills a leader must possess. Derrick used to do what I call now, a drive by. This was to follow-up on things he asked me to accomplish within any given week. What he noticed was that I was doing all of the work. Here is where Derrick saw a teachable moment for a new leader.
He said, “Que, I asked you to get a few things done around your store, can you tell me who did the work” I didn't think anything of it. I said, “I did the work because you told me to get it done.” He replied, “I did inform you of things that needed to be done but never asked you to do all of the work yourself. You see all of your employees out there? What are they doing if you are not asking them to do anything? Are there things they could be doing to assist with operational excellence at your store?” Of course, I replied. “I pay you to lead, not to do all of the work. That is not what a leader does. You have to lead by example, and your employees will follow.”
That changed my way of being a leader. I can do the work but do not have to do everything. This is why a team exists. Get them involved in the operation while I focus on the business. I became a leader and now I am successfully employed with Toyota Motor Company because of the influence Derrick had on my life.
Business Leaders Believe in Derrick!
Douglas A. Fecher, Former President/CEO - Wright-Patt Credit Unon, Inc.
I've had the opportunity to work with leaders from across the US and Ohio for the last twenty years. Though I've met so many who demonstrate vision and passion in their work, my friend and colleague Derrick L. Foward stands above the rest.
When I first met Derrick over lunch, he meticulously detailed his hopes and plans for a thriving community here in Dayton, Ohio. Even then, I was inspired by his aspirations and vision for the future of this great city, surrounding area, and the people who make it great.
I've had the pleasure of working with Derrick on community projects here in Dayton, Ohio since he became the President of the Dayton Unit of NAACP in 2007. Since then, I've witnessed Derrick's dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in all that he does. A true servant leader, Derrick is committed to helping others develop and perform as highly as possible, often placing the needs of his constituents & colleagues above his own.
Integrity and faith are the cornerstones of everything Derrick does. He is widely admired and respected within the community he serves, both by his constituents and fellow leaders alike. He has an uncanny knack for connecting people, creating community, pursuing a worthwhile vision, and for achieving at the highest level of all things.