Daily Inspiration: Meet Daj’za Demmings

Today we’d like to introduce you to Daj’za Demmings.

Hi Daj’za, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story really started in Dayton, Ohio, where I grew up learning the importance of community, service, and showing up for people. I’m a proud Dayton Public Schools graduate and a two-time HBCU graduate. I studied Manufacturing Engineering at Central State University and later earned a degree in Management Information Systems from Wilberforce University.

Early in my career, I worked as an engineer, including work supporting military night-vision equipment and medical technology. Those experiences taught me how to solve complex problems, think strategically, and pay attention to the details. But over time, I realized that the problems I cared most about weren’t always engineering problems, they were community problems.

That realization led me into community development, civic engagement, and social impact work. I began working more directly with residents, young professionals, students, families, and community organizations. Today, I help build community partnerships and create opportunities that center the voices of the people most impacted by the work.

I’m also the Executive Director of Dayton Young Black Professionals, where I’ve spent years creating spaces for young professionals to connect, grow, serve, and use their collective influence to strengthen our community. Through that work, I’ve become deeply involved in civic education, voter engagement, social justice, and community organizing, including the People Power Project.

When I look back, my journey doesn’t feel like a straight line. It feels more like every experience prepared me for the next one. Engineering taught me how to solve problems, leadership taught me how to bring people together, and community work taught me that the best solutions are created with people, not for them.

Today, my goal is simple: to use every room I’m invited into, every skill I’ve developed, and every relationship I’ve built to create more opportunities and make sure the people in my community have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. My personal motto is, “All of us, or none of us.”

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road, but I wouldn’t say I’ve faced anything that stopped me. I’ve had a few hiccups along the way, including losing my job. At the time, it was unexpected, but I’ve learned not to let one opportunity define my entire journey.

Instead, I looked at it as a chance to figure out different ways to navigate the same spaces, build new relationships, learn new skills, and continue doing work that matters to me. Sometimes the path just looks different than you originally imagined.

For me, the biggest lesson has been staying flexible and understanding that a setback can simply be a redirection. I’ve kept moving, kept learning, and continued finding ways to make an impact in my community.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
A big part of the work I’m most passionate about right now is The People Power Project, which focuses on voter education, civic engagement, and helping people better understand how government and elections actually impact their everyday lives.

Through the project, I’ve been creating accessible civic education content that breaks down things like political offices, districts, voting processes, voter registration, and important election information in a way that feels relatable and easy to understand. I’ve also worked to connect that education to real opportunities for people to get involved, not just telling people to vote, but helping them understand why their vote matters, what they’re voting on, and how they can participate beyond Election Day.

What I’m most proud of is making civic engagement feel less intimidating. Government can feel complicated or disconnected from everyday life, and I’ve really enjoyed finding creative ways to make those conversations easier to understand, especially through social media and community engagement.

What sets me apart is that I’m not interested in simply talking at people. I believe in meeting people where they are, listening first, and creating tools and information that people can actually use. The People Power Project is really about reminding people that they already have power and helping them understand how to use it.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I would definitely describe myself as a risk-taker. I’m not afraid to try something new, step into an unfamiliar space, or take on a project when I see an opportunity to make an impact.

I’m involved in a lot of different projects and initiatives, and on the surface, they may all look very different. But for me, they’re connected by the same end goal: creating opportunities, empowering people, and making my community better. Whether I’m working on voter education and civic engagement through The People Power Project, supporting young professionals, or working on community development initiatives, I’m always looking for new ways to solve problems and bring people together.

I’ve learned that risk taking doesn’t always mean making one huge, life changing decision. Sometimes it means being willing to say yes, trying something that hasn’t been done before, putting yourself in rooms where you may not have all the answers, and trusting yourself to figure it out along the way.

For me, the biggest risk is not taking the chance at all. If there’s a possibility that something I’m working on can positively impact someone, a neighborhood, or the broader community, I’m willing to take that risk and see where it leads.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @DajzaDemmings
• Facebook: @DajzaDemmings
• LinkedIn: @DajzaDemmings