David Neal McGruder, Esq. knew as a Palms Middle School student in Los Angeles that he was destined to be an attorney. His siblings and friends say that since then, all of his activities aligned with that goal.
David was the third child born to Bedford Neal McGruder and the late Deanna Powell McGruder in Santa Monica, California on Thursday, January 28, 1971. His older sisters, Jessica and Laura, say their names immediately became one, “JessicaLauraDavid.” His father said David “started talking late and then never stopped.” He loved sports and attended Magic Johnson’s basketball camp as a child, becoming a lifelong Los Angeles Lakers fan. He played youth basketball at the YMCA, with his team ascending to the championship played at The Forum in Inglewood, California. Also, in 1989, he was a beau in the Angel City Chapter of The Links Beautillion. As part of that program, David portrayed Malcolm X in an event where he debated a friend acting as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This solidified David’s reputation as an expert at debating, originating phrases and regaling his audience with stories.
A 1989 graduate of University High School, David traveled to the nation’s capital to study political science at Howard University. While in D.C., he became the second employee of the youth program at the community food bank, Martha’s Table, an endeavor which combined his budding community activism with his long-held desire to speak up for those who often don’t have a voice. The youth program, which had just begun, is now a massive education program. During his time at Howard, David also interned on Capitol Hill for Rep. Julian Dixon (D-CA), former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, and he interned at Cassidy & Associates, a lobbying firm.
After receiving his undergraduate degree in 1993, David earned his juris doctorate at the University of Southern California, where he was president of the Black Law Students Association. He then became a prosecutor at the Bronx District Attorney’s Office where he won the office’s Community Service Award. It was there that fellow prosecutor, now federal immigration judge, Oshea Spencer, introduced him to her new friend from church and another Howard University alum, Depelsha Thomas, who would later become his wife. David left the prosecutor’s office in 2001 and worked at the Manhattan labor law firm of Koehler & Isaacs for five years.
Happy birthday David McGruder
Depelsha, I never had the pleasure of meeting you, and only reconnected with David a couple of years ago. He and I met while working for Congressman Julian Dixon many, many years ago in D.C. There’s nothing I can say about your husband and the father of your boys that you don’t already know, but as someone who is not in your circle of family and friends, and someone who had not seen David in so many years, I wanted to let you know how I (and surely many others) always viewed him. David was one of the brightest, most generous, and genuine people I ever encountered. His laugh was infectious, his sense of humor was expansive, and his smile could disarm even the “sourest” of people. Over the years I thought about David often because he and I always talked about becoming lawyers, and he ultimately became the type of lawyer I didn’t have the courage to become. And that’s the beauty of David. He was courageous like no other. He never wavered in his convictions. And his senses of right and wrong were unrelenting. David said what he meant, and meant what he said. I never ever had to guess what David was talking about during our many, many discussions about social, political, and economic issues because he spoke with such clarity, conciseness, and eloquence. David was audacious in his intelligence and benevolent in his gestures. He is one of a kind. Knowing that he was on this earth always made me feel so comfortable and confident because if someone was lucky enough to have David by their side, I knew he would comfort them, guide them, educate them, and most importantly, protect them. I will miss him. God Bless to you and your family.
Happy birthday David McGruder I still think that was cool when you purchased matching Easter dresses for Depelsha and her mom.
I love my fashion and it looked like you did as well. You always brought Depelsha the best dresses from the style and color. I loved the brown dress for your anniversary date.
Yes, everyone will talk about how smart and talented you are but you also had an eye for fashion. Rest easy Brother Dave.. Rest easy…
Happy 50th Birthday Baby. There are no words to describe how much I miss you.😢