Qualifications

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • Licensed professional barber since 1973
  • Founder, Derek’s Barber Service, Washington, D.C. (1991-2002)
  • Partner, Davis Barber & Beauty Services (2002 - Present)
  • Barber/Special Education Instructor, H.D. Woodson Senior High School, D.C. Public Schools, Washington, D.C. (2001 – 2008)
  • Special Education Teacher, Mamie D. Lee Special Education Center, D.C. Public Schools, Washington, D.C. (2000)
  • Work-Based Coordinator, Vocational and Transitional Services Unit, D.C. Public Schools (1999)
  • Special Education Teacher, Oak Hill Youth Center (1998)
  • Barber Instructor, Phelps Career Senior High School, D.C. Public Schools (1995 - 1998)
  • Barber Instructor, Derek's State Board Exam Seminars (1993 - Present)
  • Barber Instructor, Armstrong Adult Education Center, D. C. Public Schools (1982 - 1995)
  • Performed as a platform artist at the Bronner Brother Hair Show • Won first place in haircutting competition

CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR

  • Wrote the first curriculum for barber sciences for the District of Columbia Public Schools in 1982
  • Honored with the Teacher-of-the-Year Award for the 1982-83 school year
  • Designed, implemented and managed the first state-of-the-art barber program in the District’s school system in 2001
  • Credited for students having a 98 percent first-time pass rate on the written and practical barber exams
  • Supervises students in providing free haircuts to homeless veterans
  • Motivated students in becoming members of the Barbering and Cosmetology State Board, barber science teachers in the D.C. Public Schools, and starting their own barber businesses
  • Successfully placed several students in barbering positions
  • Received a special education certificate in 1999 from the University of the District of Columbia and utilized it to instruct students with special needs in barber science
  • Designed and customized curriculum for students with learning disabilities at the Mamie D. Lee Special Education Center
  • Taught barber science to adults at the Armstrong Adult Education Center for more than 13 years

LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY

  • Voted Chairman of the District of Columbia Barber an Cosmetology Board, December 2009
  • Served as site evaluator for the District of Columbia’s Education Licensure Commission
  • Appointed by the Chair of the Barber and Cosmetology Board to research continuing education for licensure renewal
  • Assisted with writing for the D. C. Barber Handbook
  • Wrote the Barber Instructor Practical Exam
  • Serves on a panel lobbying the D. C. Council to benefit barber students and the industry by changing the age requirements for the certification exam from 18 to 17
  • Worked in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs in 2007 to organize a forum held at Galludet University for the purpose of informing barbers and cosmetologists of new and existing laws that govern their licensing and business operations
  • Worked with the planning committees for the National Association of Barber Boards of America 2008 conference and the Barber & Cosmetology Forum 2007 event
  • Actively participated in the Career Expo for Barbering 2007 for the D. C. Public Schools
  • Furthers education by participating in seminars and programs offered by the International Barber and Beauty Trade Shows and the National Association of Barbers Convention
  • Maintains professional alliances with various industry organizations

EDUCATION

  • Licensed Barber, Bladensburg Barber School, Bladensburg, Maryland (1973)
  • Bachelor of Arts, School of Communications – University of Maryland (1976)
  • Graduate Studies in Education: Trinity College, George Washington University, University of the District of Columbia, University of Maryland and Catholic University (1984-2007)
  • Coca Cola Access to Higher Education Program, D. C. Public Schools Mentors (1998)
  • Special Education Certification Program, University of the District of Columbia (1999)

MILITARY EXPERIENCE

  • United States Army, 18 years
  • Captain, Military Police, Company Commander (1988)
  • Commander, Military Police, Hurricane Hugo (1989)
  • Commander, Military Police, Panama (1990)
  • Commander, Military Police, Desert Shield/Storm (1991)
  • Honors: Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal