A LOVE FOR & A LIFE DEDICATED TO YOUNGSTOWN.
As a servant of the City, Derrick has been:
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a voice championing the efforts around “Reclaiming Our Identity”, a well-defined plan to re-establish exactly who we are, with a clear vision to know, exactly where we are going.
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working towards Youngstown becoming a beloved community, at peace with itself, through nonviolent principles.
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fighting for procedural justice for us all and good government within the walls of City Hall.
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avidly supporting the small business community and helping to incubate our City’s next brands.
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securing unprecedented funding for his historic downtown building, for its transformational remediation, renovation and community-based efforts.
MORE ABOUT DERRICK
Derrick McDowell, a native son of city’s Southside, was born May 24, 1980 at Youngstown’s Northside Hospital. Derrick is a 1998 graduate of Youngstown Chaney High School. After High School, Derrick attended Youngstown State University for three years, studying Graphic Design. To ensure stability for his new family, Derrick left school and began working in Corporate America. Through plenty of hard work, resolve and lots of long hours at AT&T, he made a living for himself, his wife, and his children.
While at AT&T, Derrick volunteered, for ten years, with Junior Achievement of the Mahoning Valley, has served with Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past, Ohio Nonviolence Week, served at the Salvation Army, Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley, Heart Reach Ministries (SuperKids program), Kool Boiz Foundation, YCSD Community Advisory Committee, Campbell Impact Advisory Council, YSU Project PASS, NowYoungstown Community outreach, done several YNDC neighborhood clean ups, former Board Member of: Inspiring Minds Youngstown, Thrive, Valley Partners, and is a TedX Youngstown speaker.
In 2013, after 12 years in retail management leadership, Derrick began his independent entrepreneurial consulting work. This included Youngstown Harley-Davidson, and helping others to build their businesses. Finally in 2016 Derrick boldly built his own business, The Youngstown Flea. Previously, occupying the role of Community Engagement & Inclusion Coordinator of Wean Park, Derrick presently serves his community, for the last 9 years, as the Founder of The Youngstown Flea.
As the son of parents (Donald & Renee), who both proudly graduated as South High Warriors. Derrick is after the same pride they had in their school and about their City. It’s a pride that has spilled over into this very run for Mayor of the City of Youngstown. It’s Derrick’s honor and his call to service that will help to do the ambitious work of restoring transparency, integrity, and leadership that results in “Reclaiming Our Identity” – an advocacy Derrick does on behalf of the city he loves.
As a father and husband, Derrick McDowell understands the cornerstone of our city is family and realizes the importance of a healthy and stable economic environment, along with safe neighborhoods. He lives in Youngstown with his wife (Nereida), and has four children (Trinity, DaVinci, Josiah & Elysia).