Darrell Daniels, born on December 17, 1967, in New London, Connecticut, has a lifelong commitment to education and community service. As a student at New London High School, he excelled academically and athletically, serving as valedictorian and a scholar-athlete while playing varsity football. His early dedication to research was evident through his apprenticeship at the Naval Underwater Systems Center from ninth grade until graduation.

Darrell pursued higher education at Stanford University, earning a BA in Political Science in 1989 and an MA in Education in 1990, supported by the Irvine Foundation Fellowship. He continued his academic journey at Harvard University, receiving a Master of Public Policy in 1996. Darrell has held several leadership positions in education, including roles as a principal and assistant principal within the San Francisco Unified School District. Since August 2023, he has been the Principal at MLK Middle School in the Hayward Unified School District. Outside of his professional life, Darrell enjoys reading, politics, travel, comedy, basketball, theater, R&B, and jazz.