Derek is the New York State Field Director and Crisis Director for the National Action Network (NAN). He oversees NAN’s advocacy and organizing efforts throughout the state of New York, the thirteen New York City chapters and coordinates national crisis concerns.

Mr. Perkinson is a native New Yorker, born in Harlem and raised between Harlem and the Bronx. He is a product of the New York City Archdiocese School System and graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School for Boys. Upon graduating on time, he attended SUNY Farmingdale. Derek began his adult career in sales and marketing, using these skills and wealth of knowledge and experience in the areas of Political Campaign Coordination, Large Scale Field Projects, Criminal Justice Reform, Voting Rights, Immigrant Rights, Economic Justice, Climate Policy, Census Complete Count Advocacy, and Civic/Community organizing. Derek was recently apart of the coalition to bring the NYS John R. Lewis Voting Rights law to NYS. He has moderated and served as a panelist on numerous occasions to speak up against discriminatory practices, census 2020 and beyond. Derek has worked to lessen the density of drug treatment centers in Harlem and has conducted five (5) borough NAN Community Day Events in partnership with the NYPD CAU in 2021. He has seen the very best of things and things that would break your heart. Through it all, he has maintained a deep commitment and affection to serving people and his community. Derek has won awards, citations and proclamations from City Councilmembers, NYS Assemblymembers, NYS Senators and Congressmembers. NAN Women’s Auxiliary recently named Derek it’s “Man of the Year” award winner in 2022.

Mr. Perkinson is a political strategist with a strong knowledge base and his expertise in business and political strategy makes him a community resource. He is the Vice President of the Black Cannabis Business Alliance, to advocate for social equity and career training. He serves on New York City Community Board 10, which represents Harlem, where he is the Vice Chair for the Personnel Committee, and sits on the Parks and Recreation and Public Safety Committees. Derek is the 2nd Vice President of the African American Day Parade Breakfast Committee, now in their 20th year. He has served on the Advisory Board of S.T.O.P. (Surveillance Technology Oversight Project), which calls for transparency from law enforcement when storing and amassing facial recognition data and the usage of this data. He has received numerous awards, citations, and certificates.

Derek Perkinson is married to Nakia Perkinson, and they are the proud parents of five children, Derek, Jr., Mario, Ezel, Sharrod, and Charron and three grandchildren. His favorite quote is, “ The Moral Arc of the Universe Always bends towards Justice”. – Dr. MLK, Jr.