Derrick M. Williams currently works for Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools as the PASSAGE Coordinator. The focus of Positive and Safe Schools Advancing Greater Equity (PASSAGE) is to address disproportionate suspensions and expulsions of Black and Latino students across the school district.

Since beginning his career at Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) as a behavioral specialist in 2009, Williams has supported the district’s students and families through a variety of positions, such as family involvement specialist, community outreach specialist, behavior support coordinator, and SEL coordinator.

In 2003, Williams received his Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from South Carolina State University, where he was a member of Psi Chi and Pi Gamma Mu honor societies and the recipient of the Presidential Scholar Award – Bronze five years in a row. In 2009, he earned his Master of Science degree in psychology at the University of Phoenix and, in 2015, completed coursework in applied behavioral analytics at Lipscomb University, where he was a member of the Pi Lambda Theta Honor Society.

Derrick has always been an advocate for change when it comes to addressing inequities, and the lack of diversity & inclusion.