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

He is the 34th president of the Dayton Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and the youngest person to lead the local organization.

His father then became a police officer in the community where his family lived and retired from the Defense Supply Center, Columbus (DESC) after nearly 40 years of federal service.

[15] Foward then received his Master's of Administration and Organization from International Apostolic University of Grace and Truth on July 13, 2002, and was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters on September 30, 2018.

[17][18][19][20] Foward then married Tiwona L. Branham on June 17, 2023, four months after he proposed to her in Pasadena, California after he received the NAACP Image Award for Activist of the Year.

[41] In September 2008, Foward called upon the FBI to investigate a firebombing at the home of Saundra Ballard, a Black female residing in Jefferson Township, after the son of Earl McLearran set her house on fire while he was in jail on ethnic intimidation charges.

[42] In March 2010, under the leadership of Foward, the Dayton Unit NAACP hosted a forum to educate parolees about how to access job opportunities, case management and drug rehab services.

[49][50][51] In July 2012, Joseph Ross filed a complaint with the Dayton Unit NAACP after being greeted at a Motel 6 in Sharonville, Ohio, with the words "Hello Nigger" on the screen of his TV in his room.

Foward conducted a full and complete investigation into the case and was able to reach a settlement agreement with Motel 6 for an undisclosed amount.

On November 30, 2014, President Foward filed a complaint on behalf of the citizens of Montgomery County, Ohio, against 6 Sheriff's Deputies who were engaged in exchanging racially motivated text messages that contained derogatory jokes and threats to the African American community in Dayton and abroad.

[93][94] In May 2019, under the leadership of Foward, the Dayton Unit NAACP organized 3 days of events to divert people's attention away from the planned visit of the Honorable Sacred Knights from Indiana KKK.

[100] In the wake of George Floyd's murder, the Jewish community sought guidance and direction from Foward on how to deal with racism in America.

[101] In addition, Foward worked with over 20 law enforcement agencies throughout Montgomery County, Ohio, to implement an 8-point strategy on criminal justice reform and police accountability.

Foward had negotiated with the AFSC leadership team in April 2020 to secure funding for capital improvement projects such as a new roof.

In addition, Foward worked with the Montgomery County Land Bank to acquire the adjacent property at 911 Salem Ave. to construct a new parking lot for its clients and office volunteers.

[104][105] That same month, Foward implemented a free turkey distribution service to help defray cost associated with the Thanksgiving holiday.

[106][107] On April 17, 2021, Foward held a press conference with Jack Runser, a mute and disabled man suffering from Cerebral Palsy, to address his abnormal treatment by Dayton Police Officers.

[128] In January 2023, Latinka Hancock filed a complaint with the Dayton Unit NAACP after being assaulted by Butler Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, Police Officer Sgt.

[136][137][138][139][140][23] In April 2023, Foward implemented a free ham distribution service to help defray cost associated with the Easter holiday.

[146] That same month, before the official Grand Opening of the NAACP Dayton Headquarters, Foward spearheaded conversations between Attorney Gary Leppla, Chair of the Dayton Unit NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Committee, Solar United Neighbors and the Eichelberger Foundation, to obtain the necessary funding to become the first business on the Salem Avenue Corridor to install solar panels.

[147][148] In October 2023, the Dayton Branch NAACP expanded its Hall of Freedom Awards to include Lt. Col Charity Adams Earley and Judge Arthur O.

[149][150] In a meeting led by Foward on January 29, 2024, the Dayton Unit of the 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.

[156] In 2010, Foward organized a press conference with leaders from the Dayton Public Schools District to address the ending of the 38-year-old Desegregation Case that was filed by the NAACP in 1972.

In November of that year, Foward announced that the Dayton Unit NAACP planned to launch a petition drive to outlaw the use of Red Light Cameras if police are not present.

[164] On November 15, 2022, Foward organized a press conference to address period equity due to ongoing health care disparities related to the inadequate supply of feminine hygiene products in Ohio prisons.