Meet Devyn Keith

Devyn Sherad Keith was re-elected to a second term as Council Member in August 2020. Previously, he was sworn in as a member of the Huntsville City Council in November 2016 setting a record as the youngest council member elected to Huntsville’s legislative branch of government. In this role, Devyn represents District 1, an area that covers much of northern Huntsville including Alabama A&M University and stretching into the downtown core.

Devyn was born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama, and is a proud product of its large community network. Driven by a passion for public service and a deep connection to the people of his community, Devyn is a true believer that “Huntsville is the best city this side of heaven.”

Devyn received his undergraduate degree from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, and was a scholarship player for the Samford Bulldogs football team. While in Birmingham, Devyn launched the nonprofit Brothers of 1 Voice, an effort aimed at educating, empowering and advocating for youth who aged out of state support services.

A student of the McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at the University of Massachusetts in Boston, Devyn graduated with his Master’s in Public Administration and while in Boston, worked in leadership roles for area nonprofits and government. During his time in the City on a Hill, he developed working relationships with leaders at the federal, state and local levels, learning innovative ways to affect meaningful change with tangible impact. Despite opportunities extended for him to plant in Boston or D.C., Devyn chose to return home to North Huntsville, where he could help in the continued efforts to build up a community that helped build him.

Devyn recently was an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at Alabama A&M and also served on the Board of Directors for the Cap & Gown Project, a Huntsville-based nonprofit seeking to provide opportunities and mentorship for underrepresented secondary school students who wish to pursue a college education.

Elected by his fellow Council Members as President in 2018 and again in 2019, Devyn is currently the youngest serving Council President in Huntsville’s history. He maintains his passion to bring about positive change and has kept a promise to live in four different communities within his district in his first term. Devyn has called Terry Heights, Glen Park and now Meadow Hills home over the past three years, a decision he credits with helping him better understand the people of North Huntsville and, ultimately, a choice that has made him a more compassionate advocate for the residents of District 1.

Awards and Recognition:

2018-2020, Huntsville City Council President

2018, Samford University Audrey Gaston Howard Community Service Award

2015, UMASS Boston Carol Toto Leadership Award

2015, Orlean Bullard Beeson School of Education Learning for Life Award

2012 Orlean Bullard Beeson Community Service Award

2011 Brothers of 1 Voice featured in B-METRO Magazine & Birmingham Times

Volunteer & Mentorship:

Big Brother Big Sister of America Mentoring Program

New Sector Alliance Mentoring Program

Operation Green Team