Derrick Simmons

Derrick Terrell Simmons (born December 12, 1976) is an American politician and trial lawyer serving in the Mississippi Senate for the 12th district since 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, he became the Minority Leader of the Mississippi Senate in 2017.

Early life and education Derrick Simmons was born on December 12, 1976 in Greenville, Mississippi. He graduated from T. L. Weston High School in 1995 as the valedictorian. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Jackson State University in 2000 on a full scholarship; he finished first in his class.

He then enrolled at Howard University, graduating with an MBA in 2002 and a JD in 2005. The 12th district includes parts of Bolivar, Coahoma, and Washington counties.

In 2017, he was elected Minority Leader of the Mississippi Senate.

Personal life Simmons mother worked in grocery stores, while his father worked as a factory worker until dying in 2015.

He is married to CuWanda Flowers and is of Baptist faith. He has two children. Simmons has a twin brother, Errick Simmons, who is the current mayor of Greenville, Mississippi.

Simmons is a Mason, member of the NAACP, and part of Kappa Alpha Psi.