Biography

Deron Snyder, a principal of BlackDoor Ventures, Inc., is an award-winning journalist and seasoned communicator with experience in public relations and community affairs, and a passion for news, business, politics, education and sports. He excels at copy writing, editing, social media, editorial management and event planning, delivering impactful results for businesses, nonprofits and universities, including The Grio, ESPN, Juniata College, National Association of Social Workers and the Port of Baltimore.  He also possesses superior skills in strategic communications, storytelling  and media relations, with experience in electoral campaigns.

Deron previously served as a columnist, editorial writer and reporter at several Gannett publications, and a staff columnist for The Washington Times. He is especially noted for columns on the intersection of sports, culture, politics, and race. A frequent contributor for multiple outlets, he has worked at USA Today and been syndicated in Gannett’s 80-plus newspapers, appearing in The Arizona Republic, The Indianapolis Star, The Detroit News and many others. In 2022, Deron served as Guest Editor for a USA Today Magazine special edition, “Race in America.”

Promoted to the Editorial Board of The (Fort Myers, Fla.) News-Press in January 2008 for the final stretch of the presidential election, he won first-place awards that year for Serious Column Writing and Sports Column Writing from the Society of Professional Journalists. He returned to Washington in 2009 after accepting a buyout and eventually served as Communications Director in Prince George’s County (Md.) campaigns for State’s Attorney (2018) and the County Council (2010). Deron has held post-journalism positions as Director of Communications for Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Interim Director of Marketing & Public Relations for a megachurch, and Community Relations Manager for a nonprofit organization.

Over the course of his career, he has covered the Super Bowl, World Series, BCS Bowls, NCAA hoops tournament, NBA playoffs, NHL playoffs, Kentucky Derby and other premier events. He has appeared on ESPN, ABC, HBO, CNN, CNBC, Fox, MSNBC, PBS, UPN and Canada’s CBC, as well as numerous radio shows, and has won honors from the Florida Press Club, Virginia Press Association and Associated Press Sports Editors, among other organizations.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Deron attended Howard University and pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., while earning a bachelor’s degree in Journalism. He also has a master’s degree in Strategic Communication from Troy University.