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 has worked as a public school teacher, administrator, and college instructor and has served on various boards.
He is the Director of Outreach and Coalitions for Project 21 Black Leadership Network, an initiative of the National Center For Public Policy Research.
Previously, he 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. , where 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.
Prior to his appointment, Terris served as Vice Chair 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 in the Commonwealth of Virginia to the Norfolk State University Foundation Board, University of Mary Washington Board of Visitors, Frederick Douglass Foundation, Douglass Leadership Institute, SW Michigan Urban League, CFADD Board of Directors, and the Fatherhood Initiative Advisory Board.
He is an ordained minister and author of Just Being There: A Parent’s Guide to Raising Children; Creator of The God Class Series Apparel; Host of “In the Classroom” with Mr. Todd Podcast on Anchor/Spotify.
He currently resides in Woodbridge, Virginia.
Terris and his wife Karen have three daughters.
He is the Director of Outreach and Coalitions for Project 21 Black Leadership Network, an initiative of the National Center For Public Policy Research.
Previously, he 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. , where 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.
Prior to his appointment, Terris served as Vice Chair 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 in the Commonwealth of Virginia to the Norfolk State University Foundation Board, University of Mary Washington Board of Visitors, Frederick Douglass Foundation, Douglass Leadership Institute, SW Michigan Urban League, CFADD Board of Directors, and the Fatherhood Initiative Advisory Board.
He is an ordained minister and author of Just Being There: A Parent’s Guide to Raising Children; Creator of The God Class Series Apparel; Host of “In the Classroom” with Mr. Todd Podcast on Anchor/Spotify.
He currently resides in Woodbridge, Virginia.
Terris and his wife Karen have three daughters.