Leadership

Demond, known as DJ to many, is a hardworking student-athlete at Drake University. He was raised in Merrillville, Indiana by his mother (Sharon), father (Demond Sr) and 2 older siblings (Marquise & Lorien). He attended Merrillville High School where he graduated with academic honors and excelled in both football and basketball. He extended his high school years to sharpen his basketball skills at Sunrise Christian Academy in Wichita, Kansas. After a year there, he moved to Fort Myer, Florida to play at Florida Southwestern State College, where he made the Dean’s list two semester in a row.

DJ is currently a graduate student-athlete at Drake University in the Master’s of Arts in Communication program. While on campus for four years, he has had a very successful academic and basketball career. Obtaining his B.S. in Marketing as well as reaching 3rd on all time 3pt list, 1,000+ points, 95 wins and counting on the hardwood (most in school’s history). He also was a member of NPHC and the Vice President of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. As Vice President, he helped lead his chapter’s participation in clothing drives, food drives, workshops, community service and winning 2021-2022 Undergrad Chapter of Year out of twenty-six undergraduate chapters across the Midwest.

Since moving to Des Moines, DJ has notice a need for leaders in the Black community and is eager to use the platform he has built in the area to help in any way he can. Joining Black Excellence Iowa has allowed him to do just that and incorporate the groups that he is involved in along the way. He looks forward to continuing his community work with a great group of individuals.