# David Castain > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/David_Castain > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/David_Castain.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Castain > Source revision: 1342816717 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Infobox person | name = David Castain | image = David Castain.jpg | alt = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = August 5, 1988 | birth_place = [USA](/source/USA) | death_date = | death_place = | other_names = | education = PhD | occupation = Businessman, life coach, adjunct professor, and traveller | years_active = | known_for = | notable_works = | website = }} '''David Michael Castain II''' (born August 5, 1988), is an American businessman and academic. He is perhaps best known for leaving a life of crime to later found a marketing firm worth over $5 million by November 2016{{cite web|last1 = Bullock|first1 = David|title = Young and Hungry|url =http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/583e9935e4b08347769c056f?timestamp=1480503770896|publisher = Huffington Post|accessdate = 30 November 2016}}{{Dead link|date=January 2026}}{{cite web|last1 = Brown|first1 = Tia|title = When Cupid Calls|url = http://www.ebony.com/love-sex/when-cupid-calls#axzz4Q9s1mgbq/|publisher = Ebony Magazine|accessdate = 26 March 2015}} and $8.5 million by 2020. ==Early life== David was born in [Pomona Valley](/source/Pomona_Valley) Hospital in Pomona, California to Debra Ross and David Castain Sr.. He joined a gang when he was in the 8th grade for protection within his community. David was kicked out of multiple high schools before attending [Valley View High School](/source/Valley_View_High_School_(Moreno_Valley%2C_California)), a secondary school for students who have behavioral issues or are at risk of not graduating. He ultimately graduated from [Alta Loma High School](/source/Alta_Loma_High_School). In 2006 Castain was charged with armed robbery.{{cite web|last1 = Sholley|first1 = Diana|title = From poverty to PhD, former Pomona gang member establishes philanthropic foundation|url = http://www.dailybulletin.com/social-affairs/20150528/from-poverty-to-phd-former-pomona-gang-member-establishes-philanthropic-foundation/1|publisher =[Inland Valley Daily Bulletin](/source/Inland_Valley_Daily_Bulletin)|accessdate = 28 May 2015}} He decided to attend [Howard University](/source/Howard_University) when he was serving an 8-month house arrest term following the two years he had already served behind bars.{{cite web|last1 = Edmonds|first1 = Chloe|title = Howard Student's Journey From 'Menace' To Glory |url = http://www.districtchronicles.com/news/view.php/421170/Howard-students-journey-from-menace-to-g#.UXNRi7XvvTo|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141004014839/http://www.districtchronicles.com/news/view.php/421170/Howard-students-journey-from-menace-to-g#.UXNRi7XvvTo|url-status = usurped|archive-date = October 4, 2014|publisher = District Chronicles|accessdate = 31 December 2012}} ==Career== Castain began promoting parties while attending Howard University in [Washington, DC](/source/Washington%2C_DC). He gained national attention after he organized events with [Sean Combs](/source/Sean_Combs), [Drake](/source/Drake_(entertainer)), [LeBron James](/source/LeBron_James) and other celebrities.{{cite web|title = Top 30 Under 30 Distinguished HBCU-Educated Scholars.|url = https://hbcubuzz.com/2016/08/hbcu-top-30-under-30-2016/17/|publisher = HBCU Buzz|accessdate = 23 August 2016}} In 2012 David was hired by [Grey Goose](/source/Grey_Goose_(vodka)) where he served as their Director of Social Marketing.{{cite web|last1 = Kormanik|first1 = Beth|title = Luxury Branding|url = http://www.bizbash.com/call_sheet_276_marriott_to_run_gaylord_marilyn_monroe_is_latest_hologram_gm_ditches_football_for_soccer/new-york/story/23479/#.WDtxtNUrJQK|publisher = Biz Bash|accessdate = 1 June 2012|archive-date = 2 June 2012|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120602065049/http://www.bizbash.com/call_sheet_276_marriott_to_run_gaylord_marilyn_monroe_is_latest_hologram_gm_ditches_football_for_soccer/new-york/story/23479#.WDtxtNUrJQK|url-status = dead}}{{cite web|title = Grey Goose: The proof of social media|url = http://rsmindex.com/blog/2012/6/1/grey-goose-the-proof-of-social-media.html|publisher = Washington City Paper|accessdate = 1 June 2012}} Following his seventh year of leaving a life of crime, he founded a [nonprofit organization](/source/nonprofit_organization), the David Castain Foundation.{{cite web|last1 = Umeh|first1 = Maureen|title = David Castain Talks About His Foundation & The Importance of Education with FOX 5 DC|url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwgWk0khW9Q|publisher = Fox 5 DC|accessdate = 23 February 2015}} In May 2013 David graduated from Howard University with a Bachelors in [Speech](/source/Speech) and Applied Communication and a minor in [sociology](/source/sociology). He was the commencement speaker at his graduation ceremony.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixsx_Ajpfe4 |title=Unlocking Your Legacy Phase {{!}} Dr. David Castain {{!}} TEDxMorgan State University |date=2026-03-06 |publisher=TEDx Talks |access-date=2026-03-10 |via=YouTube}} Upon graduating, he founded a marketing firm dubbed David Castain & Associates. The company obtained clients in various disciplines from [Chipotle](/source/Chipotle) and [Uber](/source/Uber) to a [Berkshire Hathaway](/source/Berkshire_Hathaway) subsidiary, Cort Furniture.{{cite web|title = David Castain and Associates Company Profile|url = https://datafox.com/david-castain-associates|publisher = Data Fox|accessdate = 18 September 2016|archive-date = 21 December 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161221042507/https://datafox.com/david-castain-associates|url-status = dead}}{{Cite web |title=David Castain |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/david-castain/ |access-date=2022-03-09 |website=Forbes |language=en}} In 2014 he graduated from [Georgetown University](/source/Georgetown_University), where he was the recipient of the Golden Bulldog Award for being the 'Most Creative' student in the program,{{cite web|title = 2014 Golden Bulldog Award Recipient for Most Creative|url = https://www.facebook.com/GeorgetownPR/photos/a.709203215784805.1073741841.133548590016940/709209885784138/?type=3&theater|publisher = Georgetown University|accessdate = 8 May 2014}} with a Master's in public relations and corporate communications. Castain returned to his [alma mater](/source/alma_mater), Howard University in August of that same year to pursue his Ph.D. in sociology, with a concentration in [medical sociology](/source/medical_sociology) and [social inequality](/source/social_inequality). {{Cite web |title=David Castain Ph.D. Graduation Speech |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vupfY6vzlp0 |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=YouTube}}{{cite web|last1 = Barnwell|first1 = Devin|title = Prominent HU Alum Promotes His Foundation With A Sweet Treat|url = http://archives-davidcastain.thehilltopnewspaper.com/|publisher = The Hilltop|accessdate = 16 April 2015|archive-date = 20 December 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161220051950/http://archives-davidcastain.thehilltopnewspaper.com/|url-status = dead}} Castain is a member of the [Kappa Alpha Psi](/source/Kappa_Alpha_Psi) Greek fraternal organization.{{cite web|title = Theta Tau Lineage|url = http://thetataunupes.com/?page_id=114|publisher = Theta Tau Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi|accessdate = 8 April 2014}} In 2021, Forbes named him to their Next 1000 list.{{Cite web |title=Forbes Next 1000 2021 |url=https://www.forbes.com/next1000/ |access-date=2022-03-09 |website=Forbes}} Castain's doctoral [thesis](/source/thesis) studied "Instagram Branding Strategies, Leadership, and Decision-Making Competency in Business Practices Between Millenial and Generation Z Entrepreneurs in the Western United States."{{Cite web |last=Castain |first=David |date=September 23, 2023 |title=The Differences in Instagram Branding Strategies, Leadership, and Decision-Making Competency in Business Practices Between Millennial and Generation Z Entrepreneurs in the Western United States - ProQuest |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2917141743?sourcetype=Dissertations%20&%20Theses |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=www.proquest.com |language=en}} He is an [adjunct professor](/source/adjunct_professor) at [Delaware County Community College](/source/Delaware_County_Community_College) teaching [public speaking](/source/public_speaking).{{Cite web |title=David Castain |url=https://www.dccc.edu/staff-member/david-castain/ |access-date=2026-03-10 |website=Delaware County Community College |language=en-US}} Castain was named to the Global Top 100 Under 40 Most Influential People of African Descent by the civil society [Most Influential People of African Descent](/source/Most_Influential_People_of_African_Descent).{{Cite web |title=Dr. David Castain |url=https://blog.mipad.org/david-castain/ |website=[MIPAD](/source/MIPAD)}} === Public speaking === Castain has hosted two TEDx talks. In 2021 he hosted a TEDxBuckhead discussing the currency of [reputation](/source/reputation) and [clout](/source/Power_(social_and_political)) and their relevancy to marketing, self-image, and career opportunities.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFOL8RTIkAQ |title=The Currency Of Clout {{!}} David Castain {{!}} TEDxBuckhead |date=2021-01-25 |last= |publisher=TEDx Talks |access-date=2026-03-10 |via=YouTube}} He hosted a talk at TEDxMorgan State University in 2026 discussing his past and how the internet and artificial intelligence can reduce societal barriers to opportunities for a meaningful life. ==Filmography== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- !Year !Film !Role !class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 2013 | [Fox 5 DC](/source/WTTG) | rowspan="2"|Himself | Episode: "Most Successful Black Entrepreneurs in Washington, DC" |- |- | 2016 | Ink, Paper, Scissors | [BET](/source/BET) original series. Episode: "BET Awards Red Carpet 2016"{{cite web|title = The Cast of Ink Paper Scissors Gets David Castain Ready For The Red Carpet|url = http://www.bet.com/shows/hip-hop-awards/2016/photos/show/glam-suite-with-the-cast-of-ink-paper-scissors.html#!091716-shows-hha-exclusives-Glam-Suite-Cast-Ink-Paper-Scissors-David-Castain|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160920154511/http://www.bet.com/shows/hip-hop-awards/2016/photos/show/glam-suite-with-the-cast-of-ink-paper-scissors.html#!091716-shows-hha-exclusives-Glam-Suite-Cast-Ink-Paper-Scissors-David-Castain|url-status = dead|archive-date = September 20, 2016|publisher = BET|accessdate = 17 September 2016}} |- |} ==References== {{reflist|2}} ==External links== *[http://www.DavidCastain.com David Castain’s Official Website] *[http://www.ranktoday.com Rank Today - David Castain’s Company] {{DEFAULTSORT:Castain, Dr. David}} Category:Howard University alumni Category:Georgetown University alumni Category:21st-century African-American businesspeople Category:21st-century American businesspeople Category:Living people Category:1988 births Category:People from Pomona, California Category:American marketing people Category:20th-century African-American people Category:Alta Loma High School alumni --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [David Castain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Castain) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Castain?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.