Derrick “Strawberry” Cox

2019 Charlotte Smallwood Volunteer of the Year Award

Derrick “Strawberry” Cox is an unsung hero in the DMV LGBTQIA community. Strawberry is the first to volunteer, goes above and beyond, does not allow outer influences to deflect him from the goal of spreading goodwill among all, and most importantly is extremely reliable.

Cox innately is blessed with possessing the abilities to dance, model, act and proficiently advocate for the education in HIV awareness and preventive health, gay and lesbian civil rights and liberties and is eloquent in public speaking for political lobbying in regards of the positive aspects of the LGBTQIA community. Strawberry does more than he would want you to know or let him take credit for, far as volunteering with Ryan White as an individual living with HIV, Capital Pride, any LGBT community based Organization, DC Black Gay Pride, Whitman Walker’s PR, Lead Mentor in His Peer+1 Program for newly diagnosed and those living with HIV in the DMV area if you haven't already seen him on the bus, commercial, WW website and 14th street building and of course, if you didn’t know Strawberry is vice president of the DC Health Community Education Engagement Committee. Strawberry is an impressive listener who is always giving the best advice. His knowledge of HIV /AIDS and expertise in meeting people where they were is a huge advantage to our community. He put this skill set to work meeting and greeting any guests and can count on him to get other volunteers back on the right track. Along with his undeniable talent, Strawberry has always been an absolute joy to work with and still is. He is a true team player, and always manages to foster positive discussions and bring the best out of anyone. Strawberry enhance us daily with his sincerity, care, and kindness. He gives so much of himself to family, friends, and the Community. Strawberry is a rarity in the way he effortlessly gives of himself, his homes to others if needed to get back on their feet, money even if it's his last, and informed about pretty much anything here in the DMV! Lol and what he don't know he'll most certainly help you figure it out! Strawberry has the ability to see the good in nearly every situation. He’s not jaded, slighted, bias, or the least bit vindictive. It is his time to purposely be given a formal platform toward elevating him to expand throughout the entire LGBTQIA community on a global aspect.

May 2019