David D. Marshall, CPC, is the Founder and CEO of Journey to Josiah, Inc., and a Certified Professional Life Coach. He is also a proud member of the International Association of Professional Recovery Coaches (IAPRC). David holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Vocal Performance and Musicology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, and a Master of Music Degree in Vocal Performance from Shenandoah Conservatory.
David began his professional career as a music educator in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, later teaching in the Baltimore City Public School System. After five years in the classroom, he moved to New York in 2009 to pursue a professional operatic career, performing both principal and ensemble roles with Bronx Opera, Garden State Opera, and Opera Ebony, while also enjoying an extensive concert and recital career.
In 2013, David returned to Baltimore and resumed teaching music before transitioning into business leadership. In 2017, he became President and CEO of Marshall Jr. Inc., his family’s 70-year-old refuse removal company and the oldest Black-owned refuse removal company in Baltimore County, MD. Under his leadership, the company expanded job opportunities, with a special focus on reentry citizens. David is a firm believer in second chances and worked to create pathways for employment and advancement for those often overlooked. His efforts earned him recognition as Employer of the Year by the Henrietta Lacks Legacy Group in 2017, as well as respect for his role as a facilitator during Baltimore City’s inaugural “Work Baltimore” initiative.
In April 2017, David became the adoptive father of his son, Josiah. That life-changing moment became the foundation for his true calling. Adoption and foster care quickly became David’s passion. In March 2021, he founded Journey to Josiah, Inc., named after his son. The following vision and mission guide the organization’s work:
Our Vision
A world where 2SLGBTQIA+ youth thrive in safe, affirming spaces surrounded by a community that is empowered to support them.
Our Mission
Journey to Josiah empowers 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in foster care, strengthens communities, and increases opportunities for adoption and fostering by providing safe, trauma-informed coaching, education, and advocacy.
Journey to Josiah has since received national and local recognition, including features in People Magazine and GMA3, as well as the 2023 Baltimore Change Makers Award. The organization also conducts workshops with agencies and organizations under the program “Inclusiveness Makes the World Go Round”, equipping professionals to serve better and support 2SLGBTQIA+ families and youth.
David is an active member of the Harford County Chapter of the NAACP. Additionally, he serves on the Citizens Review Board for Children in the State of Maryland, where he advocates for permanence and stability for children in foster care.
David lives his life guided by the words of one of his favorite songs: “If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living shall not be in vain.”
