Derwood Selby
At-Large
Campaign website
What is one life experience you have that voters should know about?
As a native Philadelphian—I work as an entrepreneur, culinarian, author, production manager, and TV and radio host has led to ventures across the globe. Serving as a board member at PhillyCam, a public access media center committed to building community through locally produced television, radio and online content, my reach expanded. As a television host, producer and radio personality on WPPM-106.5 FM, I was given a platform to hear and speak to local voices about health and wellness, nutrition and food deserts that impact our livelihood and published a book called, "Flavors of Interests: A CookBook". In addition, during the election of 2022—I supported and worked with the Democratic Party voter registration, and canvassed for John Fetterman and Josh Shapiro with Mathew Lowenthal, the 15th Ward Leader. In analyzing Philadelphia’s major concerns such as violence, public safety, education, economics, and health care, I was reminded of my Dad’s words to “BE THE CHANGE” you want to see.
What would be your top three policy priorities in office?
#1 Let’s start with violence, by tackling the senseless violence, requires us all work together, and collaborate for the good of all Philadelphia, especially if we’re receiving federal tax dollars.
#2 Education, high quality early childhood development like Head Start needs to be delivered to all qualified families to ensure that children have the skills to be healthy and successful.
#3 Economic development, including entrepreneurship. When people live in poverty, poverty makes them angry. We know that hurt people hurt people so I like to address the underlying economic inequities that continue in our communities to exploit and abuse us (such as black Friday).
What sets you apart from other candidates?
I believe what sets me apart from other candidates is my life experience. Through various job opportunities for example working as a Logistics Coordinator Contractor for the US Army station in Bagdad Iraq, Al Asad, Iraq, and Kaiserslautern Germany. Where I gained leadership, culture awareness and accountability skills that are vital for serving the people of Philadelphia—with eyes and ears to the ground—and believes we must “BE THE CHANGE” we want to see!
How do you plan to work across ideological lines to achieve shared goals?
As my top priority in office is public safety, I plan to work with anti-violence activists who are actively on the streets requesting community support to stop the violence. For example these past couple months, I have been working with an activist name Jamal Johnson on how to get the community, official leaders, and the state involved to stop gun violence. I also planned to work with Statistical Environmental Scientist to focus on sustainability efforts and Economic Specialists to tackle the tax policies, transportation sufficiency, natural resources, labor markets, and community factors for the people of Philadelphia.
The Committee of Seventy has partnered with the Carter Center to promote the Candidate Principles for Trusted Elections to improve the voting process, encourage honest leadership, and promote civic engagement. Do you support the Candidate Principles?
Yes
