Black excellence is often quiet, intentional, and rooted in responsibility.
Derrick Collins leads from that place.
As a Convention Sales Manager at Destination DC, Collins helps position Washington, DC as a premier destination for large-scale meetings, conventions, and events—work that fuels economic growth while directly supporting the city’s workforce and communities. During 2026 Black History Month, Elation Communications honors Derrick Collins as a Current Black History Maker for leadership that transforms hospitality into civic impact.
Born and raised in Washington, DC, Collins brings a personal sense of accountability to his work. Each event he helps secure represents jobs, tax revenue, and public services that benefit residents across the city.
“Contributing to the growth and visibility of the city I call home made the responsibility of my role very real,” Collins says.
That awareness shapes how he approaches leadership, partnership building, and representation. For Collins, excellence is not performative—it’s operational. Showing up with integrity in rooms where decisions shape the city’s future is part of how he honors both his profession and his community.
Collins’ path into destination leadership was not linear. While earning his degree in Hospitality Management from Penn State University, he had no exposure to Convention and Visitors Bureaus or destination organizations. His early career took him to Denver before he returned home, building experience through hotel sales roles with Hyatt Hotels in Washington, DC.
“What inspires me most is seeing how far intentional growth can take me—and the responsibility that comes with each new chapter,” he reflects.
That realization shaped his mindset early.
“I learned that staying comfortable limits both growth and influence,” Collins says. “This industry still holds opportunities I have not yet uncovered, and embracing change is how I continue to develop—not just as a professional, but as a leader.”
A defining moment came early in Collins’ tenure at Destination DC while reviewing convention center economic impact reports. What began as data quickly became perspective.
“Hospitality is often reduced to hotels and restaurants,” he explains. “But the ripple effect is far broader.”
Those events support thousands of local jobs, generate significant tax revenue, and help fund essential services across the city. Seeing that full picture reframed how Collins viewed his role.
“This work isn’t just transactional,” he says. “It’s civic.”
In that moment, leadership became less about sales outcomes and more about stewardship—about understanding how strategic decisions quietly shape the health and visibility of an entire city.
As a rising leader in destination sales and hospitality, Collins is intentional about how he grows—and who he brings with him. His advice to the next generation of Black leaders reflects lived experience and humility:
“Take risks before you feel fully ready,” he says. “Too often, we disqualify ourselves because we think we need to know everything first.”
He emphasizes that most skills are developed through experience, curiosity, accountability, and strong work ethic—not perfection.
“Even when opportunities don’t work out, the process itself builds clarity and confidence,” Collins adds.
Equally important is community. Collins credits mentors Elliott Ferguson, William Adams, and Ilemona Salifu for investing time and honesty in his development.
“Their leadership showed me that success is not just about advancement,” he says, “but about creating pathways for others.”
Paying that forward, Collins believes, is not optional—it’s a responsibility.
Derrick Collins represents a generation of Black leaders redefining influence in industries that quietly power cities and communities. Through intentional growth, civic awareness, and principled leadership, he is helping shape a more inclusive and forward-looking hospitality industry.
In honoring Derrick Collins during 2026 Black History Month, Elation Communications celebrates a leader whose excellence is expressed through impact—impact that strengthens his city, elevates his industry, and opens doors for those who will follow.
In this video, Derrick Collins offers candid reflections and strategic leadership insights drawn from real-world experience.
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