March 13, 2025
Fortune 500,1000 Strategist to speak at 57th Commencement Ceremonies
Jackson State Community College (JSCC) will hold its 57th commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 3, at the Carl Perkins Civic Center and feature Derek Young, President & CEO of YMG Enterprises to speak at both the 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. ceremonies where JSCC will graduate 581 students along with issue 133 academic and technical certificates.
Since his first job at 14-years-old as an Upward Bound Counselor, Young has helped more than half a million people increase their joy and impact through more than 10,000 engagements across a variety of roles he has served in.
Young, a native of St. Louis who now calls Nashville home, grew up in the housing projects of St. Louis where he credits his mother and grandmother for laying a strong foundation of reliability, consistency, and kindness for his life in a single-parent household. He is a walking testimony to a series of first for his family. He was the first member of his family to attend a private school, entering Saint Louis University High School at the age of 12, then being the first to attend college, entering Rockhurst College at just 16. Through the mentorship of his two “big brothers” from high school who preceded him at Rockhurst, he became President of the Business Communicators, Assistant Editor of the Yearbook, Resident Advisor, Senior Advisor to the Black Student Union, Intramural Basketball and Football Captain, Campus Radio Disc Jockey, and Captain and Drummer of the Pep Band. By 20, Young became the first member of his family to enter the corporate world as an Internal Auditor and Economic Research Analyst for the Federal Reserve Bank and a Communications Analyst for Sprint Global Headquarters.
As a corporate leader, Young has the rare distinction of being the founding Director for four functions at two Nashville-area Fortune 1000 HQ’s. He started the Process Improvement and Corporate Social Responsibility functions for Dollar General, where he also served as Director of Leadership Development. He also started the Diversity and Community Outreach functions for Cracker Barrel.
As President of YMG Enterprises, LLC—a Nashville, Tennessee based Culture Transformation and Motivational Speaking Company started in 2004—he has delivered transformative Culture Strategies for organizations such as, AT&T, Bass Pro-Cabela’s, Belmont University, Best Buy, BMI, Cal State Fullerton University, Eli Lilly, Fisk University, Florida A&M University, Firestone, Girl Scouts, Habitat for Humanity, HCA Healthcare, Johnson & Johnson, Loews Hotels, Nissan, Prudential, Sodexo, Tennessee Board of Regents, Tennessee State Government, United Way, and the US Department of Agriculture.
He is also the first member of his family to become an entertainer, doing stand-up comedy in venues like Zanies and Stanford and Sons with performers like Brian Regan, Ted Hicks, and Eddie Griffin. He was also a drummer in a band covering songs from Prince, Alexander O’Neal, the Time and others.
During his career, he has helped more than 800 students enter college and corporate America as a Career Development Manager for INROADS and as Executive Director for 100 Black Men, where he founded the 100 KINGS program.
DY’s community service record reflects his love for people and his love for Nashville. He was the first statewide Board Chairman for March of Dimes-Tennessee, the first 4-time WalkAmerica Chairman for March of Dimes-Nashville, and March of Dimes Volunteer of the Year; Board Member, Diversity Chairman, and Diversity Volunteer of the Year for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce; Business Coordinator of the Year for INROADS; Board Member, Member of the Year, and Founder of the 100 KINGS program for 100 Black Men; Board Member, Community Engagement Chairman, and Community Leader of the Year for the Nashville Symphony; AKA Community Legend; Big Brother of the Year for Big Brothers-Big Sisters; Member of the original Davidson Group Steering Committee; Delta Sigma Theta Man of Achievement; Girl Scouts Strategic Advisor and National Cookie Sales Trainer; Member of the original Community Outreach Committee for the Frist Center; Board Member for Nashville State Community College, Member of the Middle Tennessee Donors Forum; Non-profit Campaign Chairman for United Way; People Services Committee Member, Youth Development Task Force Member, Diversity Trainer, and Northwest Center Volunteer of the Year for YMCA; Board Member, Young Leader of the Year, and 26-year Program Kickoff Speaker for Young Leaders Council; Board Member for Edgehill Center; and 1999 Graduate, Diversity Day Presenter, and Caucus Leader for Leadership Nashville.
He and his wife Allyson, a Clinical Chaplain, live in Nashville, TN. The couple has four adult children who are pursuing careers in media, music, business, and retail. When he is not enjoying time with his family, he can be found enjoying St. Louis Cardinals Baseball, Premier League or Nashville Soccer Club soccer, Formula 1, Indy Car, or NASCAR racing, or great movies. His motto for success is God First, Others Second, and Dreams Third.
As part of this year’s graduation ceremonies, 46 high school students will graduate with associate degrees from JSCC through Jackson Central-Merry Early College High (JCM-ECH). In addition to JCM-ECH students, JSCC will have its first graduating class of standalone Middle College students from 17 partner high schools. Along with JCM-ECH students, 74 additional students will also receive both a high school diploma and an associate degree or certificate.
Early College High started in 2015 and is headed by Principal Dr. Nathan Lewis. It initially began as a school-within-a-school during its pilot stage and has quickly expanded since. The original class of ECH, which graduated in 2019, included 17 graduates who earned an associate degree. As of this 2024-2025 academic year, 225 students have received a degree through ECH and JSCC.
To learn more about JSCC’s graduation speaker, visit www.derekyoungspeaks.com
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