LEADERS WITH
COMMON SENSE

Leadership is often measured by the positions a person holds. Derrell Simpson has built his career by the impact he leaves behind.

For more than two decades, Simpson has served at the intersection of public service, education, government, business, and political strategy. Whether working with neighborhood organizations, advising elected officials, leading public initiatives, or helping candidates earn the trust of their communities, his approach has remained consistent: listen first, build partnerships, and focus on results that improve people's lives.

Today, as Executive Director of CommonSense Democrats, Simpson brings that philosophy to an organization dedicated to strengthening civic engagement, supporting principled leadership, and advancing practical solutions to the challenges facing communities across America.

Early Career in Education

A native of Washington, D.C., Simpson's commitment to public service began early. After graduating from Talladega College, he chose education as the foundation of his career, teaching kindergarten and later fourth and fifth grade reading and writing through the Community School Program at JC Nalle Elementary School. The classroom became his first lesson in leadership, reinforcing the importance of meeting people where they are and creating opportunities that allow every individual to succeed.

That commitment led him to the National Center for Children and Families, where he served as Interim Director of its Community School initiative. There, Simpson expanded partnerships between schools, families, and community organizations while introducing trauma informed professional development and new parent engagement programs designed to strengthen outcomes for students. His work reflected a belief that successful communities are built through collaboration rather than isolated institutions.

Public Service Leadership

In 2003, Simpson was appointed by District of Columbia Mayor Anthony Williams to the District of Columbia Commission on National and Community Service, becoming the youngest individual to assume fiduciary responsibility for the commission. During his tenure, he helped oversee Serve DC, strengthened AmeriCorps programming, expanded volunteer initiatives, and championed partnerships that introduced service learning throughout the District's public school system. Among the accomplishments he values most is creating the Commander Ready Program, an emergency preparedness initiative designed specifically for children and families.

As the nation entered the Great Recession, Simpson accepted an appointment as Special Assistant to the City Manager for Intergovernmental Affairs in Talladega, Alabama. Charged with helping local government navigate unprecedented economic challenges, he authored the city's first public private partnership policy, secured a United States Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields Grant that launched redevelopment of a downtown site, and helped lead initiatives that improved parks, recreational facilities, sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, and public health programs serving underserved communities.

Returning to Washington, Simpson continued his commitment to public service at the Council of the District of Columbia, serving first as Senior Advisor to an At Large Councilmember and later as Special Assistant to the Council Chairman. Working alongside legislative leadership, he helped develop strategies supporting landmark legislation that strengthened workplace protections, expanded educational opportunities, and improved economic security for District residents.

Business & Organizational Leadership

While public service has defined much of his career, Simpson has also established himself as a respected business and organizational leader.

He is a founding partner of APG, LLC, a strategic consulting firm specializing in political strategy, communications, stakeholder engagement, and organizational development. Through his work with businesses, nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, and political campaigns, Simpson has helped clients strengthen public trust, expand community engagement, and navigate complex policy and communications challenges.

His entrepreneurial experience also includes co-founding TechParking, Inc., a transportation technology company focused on improving municipal parking management through satellite tracking technology. In addition, he has served on the boards of several public relations, government relations, and nonprofit organizations, contributing strategic guidance that has strengthened organizational growth, public engagement, and operational effectiveness.

Political Organizing

Political organizing has remained a constant throughout Simpson's career.

Raised in Washington's historic Trinidad neighborhood, he began organizing in his own community, leading successful efforts to secure public investment, improve neighborhood facilities, and strengthen civic participation. Those early experiences established the leadership style that continues to define his work today.

Since 2002, Simpson has managed or advised campaigns in nearly every election cycle in the District of Columbia while supporting candidates and organizations throughout Maryland, Virginia, Alabama, Michigan, and beyond. His expertise spans campaign strategy, voter outreach, coalition building, field operations, strategic communications, endorsement strategy, and grassroots mobilization. He has also served on the media team for the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Committee during the inauguration of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden.

Recognition & Leadership Today

Throughout his career, Simpson has received recognition for both leadership and service. His honors include national recognition from Edutopia Magazine, Black Entertainment Television, the National Business League, Tuskegee University, and numerous public service awards from local and federal officials. While grateful for those distinctions, Simpson believes the most meaningful measure of success is the opportunity to improve the lives of others through service and leadership.

As Executive Director of CommonSense Democrats, Simpson now leads an organization committed to supporting leaders who believe effective government requires accountability, collaboration, and common sense. He is responsible for guiding the organization's strategic direction, strengthening partnerships, expanding voter engagement, supporting candidates, and helping build a broader movement focused on practical Democratic leadership.

For Simpson, leadership has never been about holding office or seeking recognition. It has always been about earning trust.

That philosophy has guided every chapter of his career and continues to shape his vision for CommonSense Democrats as the organization expands its reach and works to strengthen communities across the country.