Who is Terris Todd?
Terris E. Todd was born and raised in Battle Creek, Michigan. He earned his B.S. in Elementary Education and M.A. in Educational Leadership both from Western Michigan University. He worked as a public school teacher, administrator, and college instructor along with serving on various boards.
He recently served as the Advisor of Coalitions Engagement at the Heritage Foundation in Washington DC.
In 2020, Terris was appointed by The White House, serving as the Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans in the U.S. Department of Education in Washington D.C.
He focused on working with educational professionals in the public and private sectors to elevate and bring awareness to the challenges faced by African American students in the country and leveraging resources to help ensure students are prepared for college and productive careers that contribute to the well-being of society.
A life dedicated to Service
- Advisor, Coalitions Engagement - Heritage Foundation
- Executive Director, White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans - US Department of Education
- Civil Service Commissioner
- County Commissioner
- Frederick Douglass Foundation/Douglass Leadership Institute
- Lions Club International
- Sons of the American Legion (SAL)
- Fatherhood Initiative Advisory Board
- Norfolk State University Foundation Board
- Christian Families Against Destructive Decisions (CFADD)
Prior to his appointment, Terris served as a Civil Service Commissioner, County Commissioner, and Vice Chairman of the Michigan Republican Party where he provided leadership and outreach efforts to the expansion of conservative thought and values throughout the state from 2017 to 2020.
In 2015, he served as Director of District Relations in the Michigan House of Representatives (District 62) and, later in the same year, Director of Education and Children Services for Community Action of South Central Michigan until May 2020.
He continues to provide leadership throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, serving on the Norfolk State University Foundation Board, Frederick Douglass Foundation, Douglass Leadership Institute, Project 21, and the Fatherhood Initiative Advisory Board.
Terris is an ordained minister and the author of Just Being There: A Parent’s Guide to Raising Children.
He currently lives in Woodbridge, Virginia.
Terris and his wife Karen are the proud parents of three amazing daughters.