DAYTONA BEACH -- Derrick Henry, a Daytona Beach native, was sworn in as mayor of the City of Daytona Beach on Nov. 14, 2012, after garnering 55.5 percent of the vote in the general election over then-fellow City Commissioner Edith Shelley.
Midway through his first four-year terrm, Henry is the city’s 21st mayor since 1926, when the towns of Seabreeze, Daytona and Daytona Beach merged into one city. Henry is Daytona Beach’s second African-American mayor after the late Yvonne Scarlett-Golden. She was first elected as mayor in 2003 and again in 2005.
Midway through his first four-year terrm, Henry is the city’s 21st mayor since 1926, when the towns of Seabreeze, Daytona and Daytona Beach merged into one city. Henry is Daytona Beach’s second African-American mayor after the late Yvonne Scarlett-Golden. She was first elected as mayor in 2003 and again in 2005.
Henry’s campaign platform was “One City, One Vision,” and his priorities are improving the quality of life for all residents, making the city friendlier to businesses, addressing rising pension costs and upgrading the city’s aged infrastructure.
Prior to serving as the city’s top elected official, Henry was a teacher, assistant principal, high school basketball coach, youth mentor, motivational speaker, and he served as the city’s Zone 5 commissioner from 2009 to 2011.
In addition to fulfilling his duties as mayor, Henry remains a certified educator. He is the executive director for Step-by-Step Expressions, Inc., which offers exciting and innovative training sessions for teachers and students. He also serves as an administrator on assignment for Putnam County.