Derek Heard is a 20-year-old young man who attends Lee County High School in Georgia. He is a blossoming self-advocate and artist who enjoys food, graphic design, and playing video games. He is a recent social butterfly and enjoys teaching people about his love of art. Derek began his journey being involved in community programs through Easterseals Southern Georgia since he was 7 years old through their Family Support Program. As a young adult, Derek is now actively involved in groups that believe in furthering causes for people with developmental disabilities. Derek is now a member of the Uniting for Change Network of self-advocates and Rev Up Georgia. Derek is an enthusiastic person who doesn’t mind jumping in and helping out any way that he can. He has a love of people and has an extreme passion for art. He inspires to become a professional artist and be involved with character design for game designing companies like Blizzard. He lives with 2 younger brothers and parents. His other key allies are his grandparents and his best friend, Carley Holland.