University of Maryland Eastern Shore
National Alumni Association
Alumni Spotlight: Derrick Leon Davis
"It is within moments of adversity that we seek out strong, committed and dedicated individuals who will stand up for the common good and lead in the charge. The challenges we face temper our resolve and seek to bring out the best in ALL of us." -- Derrick Leon Davis
*Derrick Leon Davis (D-District 6) was sworn into office on Tuesday, November 8, 2011. He represents the Sixth Councilmanic District of Prince George's County which includes the constituent areas of South Bowie, Capitol Heights, District Heights, Forestville, Kettering, Largo, Mitchellville, and Upper Marlboro.
In the 2012 Legislative Year, Council Member Davis serves as Chair of the Health, Education, and Human Services Committee and is a member of the Transportation, Housing and Environment Committee and the Public Safety and Fiscal Management Committee. He also serves as the County’s representative to the Economic Development Corporation and an alternate member to Dimensions Healthcare System and the Council of Governments Transportation Planning Board.
Council Member Davis first worked for the Prince George’s County Council in 1992, serving District 6 residents as a Constituent Services Aide in the office of Prince George’s County Council Member JoAnn T. Bell. For more than 20 years, Council Member Davis was an active volunteer with the ARC of Prince George’s County Prince George’s County and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). He was elected to the Democratic Central Committee in 1998. Mr. Davis was appointed by Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and elected chairman by the board of the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF)--the youngest person and first African-American to head the $500-million-enterprise that serves as the insurer of last resort for Maryland drivers.
Most recently, Council Member Davis held the position of Head Start Program Manager with Prince George’s County Public Schools. Under his leadership, student classroom hours doubled and a number of new program sites were added throughout the community.
A lifelong resident of Prince George’s County, born on Andrews Air Force Base and raised in the Town of Capitol Heights, Council Member Davis is a graduate of Central High School. A scholar, Mr. Davis earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Council Member Davis is a passionate music enthusiast, playing saxophone in the local band,
Ayre Rayde, and in the legendary Go-Go band, Experience Unlimited (EU). Council Member Davis is a member of First Baptist Church of Glenarden and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and lives in Mitchellville with his wife, Sherry.
*Photos and biography courtesy of the Prince George's County, Maryland Government Office of Public Affairs
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