Derrick L. Foward

He is the 34th President of the Dayton Unit of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

He is the youngest person to lead the local organization.

Derrick Lee Foward (born April 26, 1968) is an American social activist and leader in the US civil rights movement.

He graduated from Central State University on June 17, 1990, and was inducted into the Central State University Alumni Achievement Hall of Fame on March 1, 2016.

Foward began his career with Emro Marketing Company on March 1, 1993.

EMRO later became known as Speedway SuperAmerica LLC, then Speedway LLC, now 7-Eleven, Inc. He retired with more than 28 years of service on October 15, 2021.

Foward 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.

Foward then received his Master's of Administration and Organization from International Apostolic University of Grace and Truth on July 13, 2002.

In February 2002, while State Rep. Dixie Allen was considering a run for the Ohio Senate, a position that was held by Senator Rhine McLin who was seeking the office of Mayor for the City of Dayton, Foward pulled petitions to run for her 39th House District of Ohio seat.

Former State Rep. Tom Roberts (Ohio politician) was chosen by the Ohio Senate Democratics to fill the unexpired term of Senator Rhine McLin after she resigned in January 2002 due to being elected Mayor of the City of Dayton in November 2001.

Foward withdrew his name as a candidate in the May 2002 Primary after the Montgomery County Democratic Party endorsed Allen for the House Seat she currently held.

In a meeting led by Foward on January 29, 2024, the Dayton Unit of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) reached a settlement agreement between their client Helen Dewberry and Sleep Number, for the unwarranted interaction she received at their store located at 2599 Miamisburg Centerville Rd. in Miami Township.

Sleep Number agreed to the following recommendations: Issued a verbal, followed by a written apology to Ms. Dewberry; Undisclosed financial settlement agreement; Diffusion, de-escalation and bias free customer service training for all store personnel starting on February 3, 2024; and other management decisions will be made with store personnel pending outcome of store meeting.

In September 2023, Todd Stanley, former Butler Township, Montgomery County, Ohio Police Sergeant, was found guilty of first-degree misdemeanor assault charge, for punching Dayton Unit NAACP client Laticka Hancock in the face over a piece of cheese that was left off of her Big Mac sandwich.

In August 2023, the City of Dayton and Dayton Unit NAACP client Jack Runser reached a $45,000 settlement agreement in the alleged police mistreatment case.

In June 2023, the City of Dayton and the U.S. Department of Justice reached a settlement agreement in the alleged discrimination case in which the police dragged Dayton Unit NAACP client Clifford Owensby, Sr., a driver with disabilities, out of his car by his hair during a traffic stop.

In April 2023, Foward implemented a free ham distribution service to help defray cost associated with the Easter holiday.

In February 2023, during the 54th NAACP Image Awards, Foward was awarded the NAACP Image Award for Activist of the Year.

In January 2023, Latinka Hancock filed a complaint with the Dayton Unit NAACP after being assaulted (punched in the face) by Butler Township, Montgomery County, Ohio Police Officer, Sgt. Todd Stanley, over a piece of cheese that was left off of her Big Mac sandwich at McDonald's.

Officer Tim Zellers pointed his taser in her face and threatened to deploy it.

Foward demanded that Stanly be fired, but he was placed administrative leave.

In January 2022, Brittney Cooper (wife) and Michelle Cooper (mother) filed a complaint with the Dayton Unit NAACP of behalf of Brandon Cooper, Lyft Driver murdered in a robbery attempt.

In 2003, Foward sought the endorsement of the Montgomery County Democratic Party for Dayton City Commissioner.

The party endorsed Matt Joseph, former legislative aide to Congressman Tony P. Hall.

Foward withdrew his name as a candidate after he did not receive the endorsement.

There was a total of 9 candidates seeking the party's endorsement.

On January 6, 2024, Foward officially announced that he is seeking the Office of State Representative for the 38th House District of Ohio.

In October 2023, Foward pulled petitions to run for the 38th House District of Ohio.

This seat is currently held by Rep. Willis Blackshear Jr., who is seeking the office of Ohio State Senator.

Foward was first elected president on November 12, 2006, defeating Gladys Gunn, longtime educator in the Dayton Public Schools District, receiving 53.09% of the votes.

His first 2-year term commenced on January 1, 2007, and expired on December 31, 2008.

Foward ran unopposed in 2008.

He ran for re-election in 2010 and defeated Chris Cortner, retired General Motors Worker, receiving 75.57% of the votes.

Foward ran unopposed in the Dayton Unit NAACP elections in the years of 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2022.

He is currently in his eighth 2-year term which expires on December 31, 2024.

where he was awarded his Doctor of Humane Letters on September 30, 2018.

Foward also served in the following leadership roles within the Ohio Conference NAACP: 1st Vice President (2019 – Present); 2nd Vice President (2017 – 2019); 3rd Vice President (2009 – 2017); and Executive Committee Member (2003 – 2009).

Foward was born in Kettering, Ohio.

In September 2019, Foward pulled petitions to run for the 39th House District of Ohio.

Current State Rep. Fred Strahorn said he would endorse Foward for his seat, however many well-known leaders of the Montgomery County Democratic Party got behind Willis Blackshear Jr., as his father, the late Willis E. Blackshear, Sr., longtime Montgomery County Recorder, had recently passed away from cancer.