Pursuing His Passion Leads Damarcus Offord from South Dallas to the Nation’s Capitol

By Sylvia Dunnavant Hines Texas Metro News Correspondent

Dedication, discipline and determination are attributes of Damarcus Offord that has caused former U. S. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson to list him as one her top staffers in her 50 years of government service.

“Over the years, I have not had anybody better than Damarcus,” recalled the recently retired legislator. “He is thoughtful, diligent and respectful. There is no one that he would not approach if he thought it was important regarding his responsibilities in our office.”

Before her demise last year,

Linda Mitchell, owner of Black & Clark Funeral Home had similar expressions when speaking of the young high schooler who she introduced to the funeral business and is now making a name for himself in so many areas and at so many levels.

A stellar work ethic and loyalty are two characteristics that are important, he says, acknowledging that his interest in politics started in middle school at Pearl C. Anderson in South Dallas.

“I got involved in student government and student council in 6th grade. It was then that I developed a love for serving people,” said 31-year-old Offord.

While he was still in elemen- tary school, Offord became one of 30 students who took a field trip to the nation’s capitol with longtime DISD administrator Shirley Ison Newsome. Along the route the students made several stops to historical spots from South Dallas to Washington, DC.

Not only would this field trip spark Offord’s interest in politics, but it would provide a forecast of his future.

A few decades later, he would be very familiar with Washington, DC as he became the Director of Outreach for Congresswoman Johnson.