David holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore County in Vocal Performance and Musicology, and a Master of Music Degree in Vocal Performance from Shenandoah Conservatory.
David started his professional career as a music educator in the Archdiocese of Baltimore later moving to the Baltimore City Public School System. After 5 years of teaching, in 2009 David moved to New York to pursue his professional operatic career. David enjoyed 4 years of a full-time performance career. He performed both principal and ensemble rolls with Bronx Opera, Garden State Opera and Opera Ebony. Additionally, he enjoyed an extensive concert and recital career.
In 2013, David returned to Baltimore and to his career as a music teacher. David’s career shifted greatly in 2017 when he took on the role of President and CEO of his family’s 70-year-old refuse removal company, Marshall Jr. Inc. After 37 years as President and CEO of Marshall Jr. Inc., Willie D. Marshall Jr., David’s Father, retired from his position as president. Marshall Jr. Inc. is the oldest black owned refuse removal company in Baltimore County, MD. Marshall Jr. Inc. was the 2nd formed black owned refuse removal company in Baltimore County, MD. After the passing of Mr. Andy Hill, the first black owned refuse removal owner in Baltimore County, Marshall Jr. Inc. remained. During David’s tenure as president of Marshall Jr. Inc., he expanded the company by creating new jobs and opportunities for existing and new employees. David furthered his initiatives by focusing his energy on the reentry population. He created further opportunities for job training and advancement. David is a firm believer that everyone is deserving of a second chance and sound employment. He also believes employment should be granted no matter one’s background. David had the distinct honor of serving as a facilitator for Baltimore City’s inaugural “Work Baltimore” initiative where he garnered much respect and gained great recognition. In this role, he quickly became a much sought-after presenter for several pre-convention workshops centered around job readiness skills. In October of 2017, David was honored by the “Henrietta Lacks Legacy Group” as employer of the year.
In April of 2017, David became the adoptive dad to a then 2-week-old baby boy named Josiah. Josiah changed the trajectory for David’s life and his purpose. Adoption and Foster care became David’s passion as adoption was the miracle by which David became a father. David felt very strongly about the need to educate and inspire the world about the gift of adoption. Therefore, in March of 2021, he founded Journey to Josiah Inc., a Non-Profit Organization, which is named after his son Josiah. The aim of Journey to Josiah is to increase the rates of adoptions and the fostering of children around the world. With a mission focused on education and outreach, Journey to Josiah’s content will increase the likelihood of connecting children with deserving adults to create strong bonds and loving families. Journey to Josiah is transformational in the work that it does to support the world of adoption and foster care. In addition to his initiatives with Journey to Josiah, David sits on the Citizens Review Board for Children in the state of Maryland. Through his work on this board, he is committed to supporting efforts to provide permanence for children in foster care.
David lives his life by the lyrics of one of his favorite songs, “If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living shall not be in vain.”