Activist of the Year Youth Activist of the Year

DR. DERRICK LEE FOWARD BRADLEY ROSS JACKSON

Derrick Lee Foward is the President of the Dayton Unit of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). First elected on November 12, 2006, he is currently serving in his 9th two-year term. He 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. On April 25, 2006, a Vision was laid upon the heart of Foward which was to “Fulfill the Dream of the Civil Rights Act of 1964” by capitalizing on the 2nd “A” of the NAACP, which stands for Advancement. As a result of his vision, the Dayton Unit NAACP adopted this as its Vision Statement. Foward provided the Dayton Unit NAACP with 3 strategic goals, Inform, Educate and Empower. He also implemented a Proactive Civil Rights Agenda through monthly Educational Community-Based Workshops and Seminars to educate Citizens on the front-end of Civil Rights issues.

Dr. Foward was in love with his late wife, Mrs. Jean A. Foward for more than 30 years. They were inseparable and their love was immeasurable. They have two sons (Troy & Donte), two daughters (Jayme & Letoia), three grandchildren (Te’Nayia, Ze’Niah & Rodriquez, Jr.) and three godchildren (Derrion McCurdy, Donovan Dumas & Taylor Dumas).

Bradley Ross Jackson was born on March 16th and often refers to his birthday as “3:16”, as in St. John 3:16. Bradley is honored that God has blessed him exponentially as a motivational speaker, scholar and servant leader for the down-trodden, ostracized and the disenfranchised. Bradley became a life member of the NAACP the day he was born, possibly being one of the youngest youth members in the history of the organization.

Bradley is honored to serve as the first President of the Bloomington-Normal NAACP’s Youth Council and he is equally humbled to have been elected, in 2022, as the youngest President of the Illinois NAACP Youth and College Division. In July of 2022, at the National Convention, Bradley received the NAACP Mr. Medgar Evers’ Award and the NAACP’s Organizer of the Year Award. Bradley has attended every National Convention since the tender age of one! Also in 2022, Bradley received local ACT-SO Gold Medals in Original Essay and Poetry Written Competitions. Bradley has devoted his entire life to advocating for racial and social justice and he uses his gift of oration to inspire, motivate and change the nation. His award is dedicated to his Uncle, Mr. Demetrius Deaun Campbell.

Bradley is a member of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated, where he has received first place awards for three consecutive years. He has participated in a plethora of plays and speech competitions and has won over 50 trophies and medals.