About

Derrick D. Butler is an individual who believes in urban youth. He is a product of this belief and has spent his adult life supporting urban youths in many capacities. Born in Newark, New Jersey, he received his elementary and secondary education in the Newark Board of Education. As a student at Malcolm X Shabazz High School, he excelled in basketball and as a result became the team captain. Due to his success in playing basketball, he was awarded a college scholarship to Champlain College in Vermont where he graduated with an Associates of Arts degree. He continued in his pursuit of a higher education and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from LIU Southampton University. He also received a Master’s Degree from Fairleigh Dickerson University in Sports Administration. Derrick began his career post Southampton University by returning to his community and becoming a substitute teacher. He later became an Attendance Counselor for the Newark Board of Education. During this time he was mentored by the late Former Principal Carl Gregory which impacted his views on not just working in his community but being a service to the community. Through this mentorship, his eyes became open to not just working in the school system as a teacher, Operations Manager or Attendance Counselor, but to support children in other capacities such as coaching (basketball and track) and mentoring. It became important through Carl Gregory’s mentorship and his own life’s experiences, that this was Derrick’s calling and passion. His competitive nature as a basketball player himself, as a basketball coach at Weequahic and Arts High School Derrick has had much success and recorded more wins than losses. This success produced over 20 letters of intents from Division I and Division II colleges for student athletics under these basketball programs. Let’s Talk Academics is a four year program focuses on character, academics, talent and success. This is one of a few initiatives Derrick uses to share his vision and show young athletes how to use athletic and academic scholarships as opportunities to graduate and have careers similarly to his own path. Let’s Talk Academics principles are: In Freshman year, focus on building character In Sophomore year, focus on not failing and learning about all core courses In Junior year, focus on talent and being able to play varsity sports In Senior year, focus on success whether that is being offered a letter of intent from a higher education institution or going another route by attending a trade school or being a civil servant. Understanding both paths lead to careers of success as a professional (white collar) or regular wage earners (blue collar). Derrick thrives to impact youth’s lives in many ways. He has been mentoring over 20 years and goes over and beyond to improve the lives of children. He also works for Youth Advocate Mentoring Programs Inc. and spends his free time mentoring students by exposing them to cultural and athletic opportunities. He utilizes this role to ensure positive and productive partnerships with families. Other school administrators often collaborate with him in order to find methods for reaching challenging students. Derrick feels the most pride of his success when former students follow his footsteps by coaching and mentoring. Derrick is currently employed by the Newark Board of Education as an Admission Counselor. His motto exemplifies ‘To achieve, you must believe”. This has been his mission in life and has made the difference in many lives. “Just Another Kid Outta Newark” Inc. aka JAKON exemplifies that mission. It was founded in Derrick’s belief that if we mentor our young … they can mentor their young. JAKON principles and beliefs advocate for the strengthening of youths and breaking the systemic cycle that plagues our communities.