CAU Alumnus Derrick A. King ’13 Builds His Career Onscreen and Inspires the Next Generation

For Derrick A. King, going to college was not a real consideration. He planned to be a firefighter or police officer. But during his twelfth-grade year at Suitland High School in Maryland, his teacher gave him an assignment: take the SAT and apply to two colleges. Derrick successfully completed the assignment and began seriously looking at the two HBCUs where he had been accepted.

He discovered he couldn’t wear his doo rag at the other institution, so he attended Clark Atlanta University’s orientation. It was there, he says, that he made the decision.

He recalls, “We had Olive Branch, and the orientation guides brought us in. It was exciting. I was like, ‘Oh, college might be fun.’” It was fun, he admits, but he got more than he ever imagined he would.

“It ended up changing my life,” he adds, with the seriousness of someone who is aware of how an experience altered his life trajectory.

Finding His Voice Through Campus Involvement

A mass communications major, with a concentration in public relations, Derrick thought he would be a radio personality. As a freshman, he had a show, “King King, the Radio Ruler” on WSTU, but getting involved in the campus movie fest, acting in a movie, and later starring in “College Boyfriends”—an early YouTube series by Tina Shakiyah, a friend and fellow CAU alumna—expanded his perspective on what was possible for him creatively.

He also realized the importance of being fully engaged in his environment. For him, that meant being active on campus.

“I was on the step team for Pfeiffer Hall my freshman year. I also had an organization called College Kids,” Derrick recounts. The organization, which focused on student artists being scholars while pursuing their creative endeavors, received a Student Life Award. Later, he was elected president of the sophomore class, was president of the student orientation guide corps, and was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

His chapter’s step master, Derrick recalls, “I was always in front of people, talking to people, performing for people. I just didn’t think that it would necessarily lead me to Hollywood. That wasn’t where my mind was yet.”

From the CAU Campus to Hollywood

Now, he says, it is clear that Clark Atlanta University was the training ground for the career success he is currently experiencing.

“There were so many lessons learned there,” he says. “Like certain ways to maneuver with people. How to stay grounded. I was humbled many times, but it was like God preparing me for becoming who I needed to be in order to carry out the mission that He had for my life and heart.”

That mission, Derrick says, is to be an inspiration, to motivate, and to be a resource.

And he’s doing that—as an Intro to TV and Film instructor at Howard University’s Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts and as a screen actor who has worked steadily since 2016.

His credits include “4400,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “The Game,” and “Run the World,” to name a few. Most recently, however, his role as Nick, opposite Taraji P. Henson, in Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married Again?” put his talent on even more widespread display.

He says the role represented validation from people, but more importantly, from God. “God really blessed me and verified my purpose when it comes to the creative arts.”

Derrick explains, “An actor is something I’ve always wanted to be deep down; it’s where my passion lies and where I feel most comfortable. But at times, there are lulls in this industry where you start thinking and questioning yourself, like, ‘Is this what I’m supposed to be doing? Am I moving in the right direction?’ So God blessing me with this opportunity let me know, ‘Yes, everything that you’re doing is not an accident. You didn’t pursue this thing by accident. I have a plan and a mission for you. You just have to stay steady and steadfast in what it is that I’m doing in your life.’”

For him, the filming experience was momentous. He recalls many standout moments—funny and professionally rewarding. But he recalls, in particular, an instant where he realized he belonged.

“There’s a scene at the end of the movie where they get married. I’m in Italy with a billionaire yelling, ‘Action!” behind me. I have Taraji P. Henson literally gripping my arm with her head on my shoulder—and we’re looking at live fireworks over Lake Como. And I’m looking at it with my own eyes, and I’m like ‘This is what my life has become, and I deserve it because I put in the work to be here.’”

Celebrating the Clark Atlanta Legacy

As fulfilled as Derrick is by his own success, he is equally thrilled for the success of other Panthers in the entertainment industry. Mentioning Loren Lott, Taylor Polidore, Terayle Hill, and Geffri Maya—all of whom he has personal relationships with and are “doing successful things in our craft,” Derrick is grateful that he is part of what he calls “the Clark Atlanta legacy.”

A recipient of a 2024 40 Under 40 Young Alumni Achievement Award, Derrick says Clark Atlanta University exposed him to greatness, and he encourages current students to take advantage of all the university has to offer.

He advises them to be present. “As you matriculate through this college experience, make sure you’re staying present in what’s happening, because if you don’t, you’ll miss something. You’ll miss the network. You’ll miss the lesson. You’ll miss the opportunity to join or be joined,” he says. “Find out things that you like and don’t like—parts of yourself that you have to hold onto and parts of yourself that you’re willing to learn from and release. Clark Atlanta is the perfect training ground. It’s an incubation period for you to grow in those ways.”

He also adds that connection is key. “Look to your left and your right. These are going to be the people that champion you throughout your entire life. Get to know them. Treat them well. Connect with them in real ways because they can literally change your future, and you can change theirs.”

Explore alumni resources, events, and opportunities to stay connected with the Panther community on the CAU Alumni page.