Deborah Dicks Maxwell is currently the President of the North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP. She is the first female President in North Carolina NAACP history.  Previously she  served as President of the New Hanover County NAACP and NC NAACP District Director for Bladen Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, Onslow and Pender Counties for ten and eight years respectively working to improve the quality of life in Southeastern North Carolina for all citizens.  Deborah knows that equity in all areas is needed and this will eliminate racial discrimination.

Deborah grew up in Wilmington, Carolina which is currently where she resides. She earned her Bachelors in Administration and Management from LaRoche University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and her Masters of Social Work with a concentration in Health from East Carolina University. Deborah obtained her MSW because she began enjoying her volunteer work more than the retail management position she had. There had to be a way to work and help people so she decided on a career change. Prior to obtaining her degrees Deborah served in the United States Army and Army Reserves at various duty stations to include two years in Busan, Korea. She is a Desert Storm Veteran and attained the rank of Sergeant First Class. She was also a previous commander of the local NABVETS (National Association of Black Veterans) Chapter.

A recently retired public health social worker Ms. Dicks Maxwell worked for over twenty-five years with children from birth to 5 years of age and their parents. She chairs the Southeastern Regional Network of Care and Prevention meetings for Region 7 which focuses on HIV and AIDS.

She is a passionate advocate for children and positive health outcomes.  Deborah strives to provide health information, education and   positive outcomes. Deborah is part of the Health Ministry at her home church St. Stephen AME in Wilmington. Her focus on the children of North Carolina has led her to serving as a former Board member of NC Child. Under her leadership the New Hanover County NAACP began to host an annual health fair during Minority Health Month which is April. 

Increasing minority participation in environmental justice issues is another area of concern. Because of this she is on the board of Cape Fear River Watch and the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters.  When there is an environmental justice issue in this area she coordinates working on the issue and empowering those impacted. 

Social justice is at the core of all she does.  Deborah was a Moral Monday arrestee exercising her right to be civilly disobedient due to the wrongs inflicted upon the citizens of North Carolina. Recently she participated in the planning and speaking at a rally for Families and Children together which focused on the wrongful separation of immigrant detainees from their children.

 She was appointed by Governor Cooper to serve on the Racial Equity in Criminal Justice Task Force.

Voter education and registration is an ongoing, never ending pursuit of Deborah. Wherever she goes there are voter registration forms and information nearby along with NAACP memberships. The power belongs to the people and she constantly works to remind them that united they can change the educational, political and economic outcome of their lives with the voice of their vote.