Ruben Desmond Mitchell is an educator, musician, and community activist from Gadsden, AL. He matriculated through the Attalla City Schools system and is a proud 1999 graduate of Etowah High School. After graduating from Etowah High School, Mitchell attended Alabama State University where he made a name for himself as a music major who participated in all the music ensembles available at the university. He graduated with honors from Alabama State University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. Mitchell also continued his education by receiving a Master of Arts degree in Music Education from Jacksonville State University (2007) and a Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Alabama (2016).
Desmond Mitchell has been an educator and advocate music education for many years. He began his teaching career in 2003 at Anniston High School where he served as the band director until his departure in October of 2002. He was extremely successful in that role, developing his groups to be winners of over 200 superior ratings. Desmond is currently the director of the Gadsden State Community College Show Band, where he has been fortunate to serve since 2022. He also serves as a consultant to different high school and middle school bands in the area. In addition to being a music educator, Mitchell is a freelance saxophonist and leader of the group T.A.D. of Jazz.
Ruben Desmond Mitchell has received many awards in the realm of education, being inducted into the JSU Hall of Fame (2015-16), the recipient of the Etowah Youth Orchestra’s Alumni of the Year Award (2016), receiving Teacher of the Year for Anniston City Schools (2017-18), and inducted into the ASU Class IV 50 under 50 (2020). Mitchell is also the president of the Gadsden Chapter of the ASU Alumni Association, a member of the Gadsden Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc., an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi, and member of Kappa Delta Pi. Desmond is married to Dr. Janekia Mitchell, the father of Adarius King and Layla Mitchell, and is an extremely active member of the Henry St. Church of Christ.
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