Black History Month: Spotlighting local young black leaders

DELMARVA – “I’ve heard no, it’s not your time, and that this isn’t the right place for you. That has only fueled me to continue to do as well as I have and be as successful as I’ve been,” Doughty said.

Eastern Shore native D’Shawn Doughty has devoted his life to community service. He recently made history as the Salisbury City Council’s youngest elected president. “What’s remarkable is that on a national level we’ve had our former President Barack Obama, and we now have Maryland Governor Wes Moore. I saw that he was running, and when he won that gave me the push to continue to do this,” Doughty said.

Four months into the role, Doughty plans to be a changemaker and shatter glass ceilings. “The issue is that a lot of people who are in positions, hold titles, and who are key stakeholders still have the same mentality. We have to be reflective of our future,” he said.

Josiah Parker has also made a name for himself. He attends Salisbury University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Business with a Marketing concentration and a double minor in Entrepreneurship and Multimedia Journalism. He’s one of two student members on the Board of Regents through the University System of Maryland. He was actually appointed to the position by Governor Wes Moore. “I can definitely see the positive influence that I’m making in the community. I definitely want others to know that it’s all about what you envision,” Parker said.

Parker also carries the title of entrepreneur, as he’s the CEO/Founder of his own clothing brand: Life Vision Clothing. The hope is to help people find their purpose. “My goal now is to continue to advocate for people who look just like me. For them to realize that they have intelligence, power, confidence, and everything they need,” he said.

Both young men hope that shinning their light will not only shatter the stigma surround black men but inspire youth. “The youth see it as potential. I tell them all the time that anything is possible. You have a chance in the state to make history and you owe it to our ancestors to make history,” Doughty said.

“I did it once, I can do it again. All it takes is my ability to believe,” Parker said.

Doughty told us some of his biggest priorities are strengthening community involvement and pouring into the local youth.