Derrick M. Fleming

About Derrick M. Fleming

Nonprofit and government professional with nearly 15 years of experience in education, social impact, youth development, and mentorship; 10 years of project management, coaching, and training experience; and 8+ years of program and people management experience. An experienced fundraiser/development professional and partnerships/collective impact executor. Launched, managed, and supported city and nationwide programs for over youth and have personally led hundreds of students to execute post-secondary plans. Most recently launched a new Young Men of Color (YMoC) Program through the power of partnerships and collective impact work and raised over half a million dollars to fund this program for the next two years. Supervised and curated programming for first-generation students and/or students from low-income communities with goals of attending highly selective 4-year colleges/universities, where 83% of students graduate from college within 4-6 years. Implemented and led professional development training’s, such as emotional intelligence, project management, teambuilding, and others; resulting in staff growth, retention, and promotion and grew my past team from 3 to 10 full-time staff and 75% of those staff were promoted within 1-2 years. Aided in organizational fundraising and revenue generating affords that has resulted in maintaining a growing $6.5 million operating budget. Lastly, co-managed organizational restructuring, strategic planning, and led program growth/expansion that met students, their families, and our communities with necessary resources while supporting their individual growth in the process. Currently on a mission to develop root cause solutions to eradicate and dismantle historic and current forms of institutional racism and additionally, eliminate the racial wealth and achievement gaps through the power of amplified voice, social/collective impact, coalition building, and human-centered design thinking. Curator of “The JUST BE campaign.” which is a social movement to allow ALL people to “JUST BE”! “JUST BE” their honest, authentic, and transparent selves (put on your H.A.T’s first). The JUST BE campaign. is meant to help dismantle current and historic systemic forms of oppression or indifference, foster anti-racism, eliminate hate, and activate individuals both personally and professionally to choose themselves and love themselves honestly, authentically, transparently (again, put your H.A.T’s on first).\"When the collective chooses themselves, we demonstrate what true inclusion and respectful difference looks like.\"

Experience

1. 2020 Surge Alum

   Surge Institute

   Sep 2020 — Present · Chicago, IL, US

   The Surge Institute is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the empowerment, advancement, growth, and achievement of youth and communities of color. We do this by educating and elevating leaders of color, preparing them to transform urban education and expand the opportunities for our youth.

Education

• Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership

  Master of Science (M.S.), Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management

  2012 — 2013

• Alabama State University

  Bachelor of Arts, Communications (TV/Film)

  2006 — 2010

• University of South Florida Muma College of Business

  Certificate of Completion, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace

  2021 — 2021

• The University of Chicago Booth School of Business

  Executive Leadership Development Fellowship Program

  2021 — 2022