Page 16 - 2021 Men of Excellence Awards

The Education Award

Derrick Gilbert experienced undergraduate studies at
Bethune Cookman University and earned his Bachelor’s
degree in English Literature. While growing at BCU, he
served in several leadership capacities such as the
institution’s designated Poet Laureate, a scholarship
grantee instrumentalist, and as a Sigma Tau Delta
International English Honor Society member. Upon

completion of his three-year collegiate experience,
Derrick offered his father and Pastor, Bobby Gilbert, his
BCU degree as the first Gilbert to attend and complete
collegiate studies.

Derrick has since served the Palm Beach County School
District for the last 15 years. He has been awarded
Teacher of the Year, selected as one of the 12 Most
Influential Leaders of Palm Beach County, listed as one of
the Top Black Educators in Florida, and is currently
recognized as a High Impact Teacher for the last decade. Brandon Derrick Gilbert

Raised under the leadership of his parents, Bobby and Dr. Annette Gilbert, Derrick is no stranger to
servant-leadership. In recent years, he has made concentrated efforts to step into the lives of his
students through social justice initiatives within the arena of equity and access in education. This

focus has provided him the opportunity to travel the United States as a Teacher for Equity Fellow and
facilitator. Learning alongside powerhouse social justice creators, institutions, and facilitators such as
the Pacific Education Group, Social Justice Institute, Stanford Design School, and the Harvard
Graduate School of Education, Derrick’s learning led him to create a set of leadership organizations
for Black, brown, and African American students here in the Palm Beach County School District. Both
Bold Leadership Excelsum (BLX) and Alpha Mu Pi (AMP) service organizations were created to
provide a safe space where students of color can be appreciated and acknowledged for their academic

prowess, scholastic achievements, and community-oriented brilliance. As a flagship program nearly 4
years ago, BLX and AMP have grown into household leadership teams on campus.

Derrick also serves at In The Word Ministries Praise and Worship Center as the musical director and
Youth Leadership Director. He is happily married to Demi Gilbert and has three amazing children

Kay, Branae, and Bailey Gilbert.

MEN OF EXCELLENCE