Alderman DaJuan Gay and his family moved to Annapolis when he was in sixth grade. His early years were chaotic, but at the Annapolis Boys & Girls Club, he was introduced to a male mentor who helped him find and grow into leadership roles. The experiences he had as a member and later, as a junior staff counselor, instilled in him the need to contribute to his community. He focused on residents who had a need, especially those whose lives were as similarly challenged as his had been.
Alderman Gay is a graduate of Annapolis High School (Class of 2015). During his time as a Panther, he lettered in track and learned the importance of hard work. He served as a two-term Class President (junior and senior years). As president, he worked toward the goals of inclusion, community awareness and academic excellence.
Alderman Gay studies Criminal Justice at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore where he is expected to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in December 2019.
After an unsuccessful run at the Ward Six seat in 2017, at age 19, Alderman Gay returned to the campaign trail when then-Alderwoman Shaneka Henson was appointed to the House of Delegates seat of the late Speaker Mike Busch.
Alderman Gay has been a member of several campaign teams, and was a volunteer on Mayor Gavin Buckley’s transition team. He was also a Maryland General Assembly intern and he served as president of the Anne Arundel County Youth NAACP.
In 2019, Alderman Gay won a write-in campaign at age 22 to become the youngest City Council member in the history of the City of Annapolis.