Darius J. Rucker
Darius J. Rucker, Chief Executive Officer of Keys to Knowledge and Action Consulting LLC, is a first-generation college student from a dynamic household where he was raised by his mother along with his four siblings. Darius graduated from the University of Florida with his Bachelor’s degree in Sociology in 2012.
Upon graduating, he taught for two years in St. Louis Public Schools through Teach For America and also obtained his Master’s degree in Secondary Education from the University of Missouri St. Louis. After his second year of teaching, he realized that he wanted to have a bigger impact on the broader community. He has worked and served in both the education and public health sector within the St. Louis Region and has had the privilege of serving on several local and international boards including St. Louis Black Pride, The Village Path (current), Y+ Global, and PROMO(current). Darius joined the Fairground Park For All board in 2023.
Recently, he has served as the lead coordinator and director for both a SAMHSA and CDC-funded projects. Both projects focused on shifting the outcomes of Black men with an emphasis on those who are LGBTQ. Within the federally funded CDC grant, there was a specific charge to improve policy and systems at the local St. Louis Regional level. This work has led to multiple new additions to the region which include increased treatment services, a community drop-in center, and a regional community advisory board for Black self-identified men’s sexual health. Through his work as both an academic teacher and sexual health educator, he has realized the impact of trauma on the mind, body, and soul as well as how it blocks opportunities for some communities. If we place people at the center of our work, we can recognize trauma sooner and start to support our communities to overcome systemically oppressive systems. This understanding has led him to how he spends his professional time now.
Currently, Darius leads Keys to Knowledge and Action Consulting LLC. which assists organizations and entities to keep People At The Center - Always in their work. KKA Consulting is a management consulting firm that ensures that collaborators and partners are equipped with Keys to create equity in what they offer and do while gaining Knowledge on cultural humility and Actions to disrupt system structures that negatively impact people. KKA Consulting LLC bears its namesake from Darius’ Niblings - Kearius, Keimon, and Aubrey.
As an Angelic Troublemaker, he aims to ensure that entities plan and create infrastructure with ALL people at the center.