Our Featured Guest - Derek Phillips

DEREK PHILLIPS


An educator by profession, Derek has been teaching Math and History in the New York City School System for over thirteen years. For the majority of his career, Derek has worked in the alternative schools with students that have been labeled “At Risk”. He loves teaching and truly believes that he has made a difference and has been blessed to be working with the population of students he has had.

In April 2004, Derek was honored as the “Educator of the Year”, by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

In addition, he is the founder and Executive Director of the Real Dads Network, an organization of Dads, father figures, male role models and people committed to strengthening the institution of Black fatherhood. In 2005, The Real Dads Network, hosted its inaugural Black Fatherhood Summit, moderated the legendary James Mtume, and included a panel that consisted of Kurtis Blow-one of the first rappers to have a hit record ("The Breaks") in 1980; Barry Mayo, Senior Vice President and station manager of Kiss FM; Bill Stephney, co-founder of Def Jam Records and the group Public Enemy; Nation’s of Islam’s Min. Kevin Muhammad; Fatyn Muhammad, producer of Kiss FM’s Open Line talk show; and Fatherhood Activists Thabiti Boone and Peter Holoman. This event received a full- length commentary in the Wall Street Journal.

Derek is also the founder and President of Jorma Productions, an independent production company, (affectionately named after his two daughters) that is committed to creating projects and programs that are educational, inspiring and empowering.