We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful David Marshall. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with David below.

David, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Journey to Josiah Inc. has its own little story. It all begins with an amazing little boy by the name of Josiah Paul Marshall. Josiah was born March 16, 2017. March 28th of 2017, during one of David’s 5th grade music classes, he got a call from his post placement social worker. She went on to tell David that she was sure this wasn’t a phone call that he’d want to miss. There was a 1-week-old baby boy by the name of Josiah who needed a daddy. Needless to say, David lost it. David was already blessed with a Godson by the name of Josiah. It was indeed God’s divine plan to bless him with another. April 3, 2017, David became the adoptive dad to the 2-week-old baby boy. Josiah changed the trajectory for David’s life and his purpose. Adoption and Foster care became David’s passion as adoption was the miracle by which David became a father. David felt very strongly about the need to educate and inspire the world about the gift of adoption. Therefore, in March of 2021, he founded Journey to Josiah Inc., a Non-Profit Organization. The aim of Journey to Josiah is to increase the rates of adoptions and the fostering of children around the world. With a mission focused on education and outreach, Journey to Josiah’s content will increase the likelihood of connecting children with deserving adults to create strong bonds and loving families. Journey to Josiah is transformational in the work that it does to support the world of adoption and foster care. Journey to Josiah has reached national acclaim as an organization helping all families seeking to adopt or foster. However, as a single gay man, unbeknownst to David, he broke barriers. This allows Journey to Josiah Inc. to be a voice to the LGBTQ community. A community that is still largely shut out of the world of adoption and fostering. Journey to Josiah Inc. is a lighthouse on a hill guiding families on the greatest journey of their lives.

David, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

David holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore County in Vocal Performance and Musicology, and a Master of Music Degree in Vocal Performance from Shenandoah Conservatory.

David started his professional career as a music educator in the Archdiocese of Baltimore later moving to the Baltimore City Public School System. After 5 years of teaching, in 2009 David moved to New York to pursue his professional operatic career. David enjoyed 4 years of a full-time performance career. He performed both principal and ensemble rolls with Bronx Opera, Garden State Opera and Opera Ebony. Additionally, he enjoyed an extensive concert and recital career.

In 2013, David returned to Baltimore and to his career as a music teacher. David’s career shifted greatly in 2017 when he took on the role of President and CEO of his family’s 70-year-old refuse removal company. Marshall Jr. Inc. is the oldest black owned refuse removal company in Baltimore County, MD. During David’s tenure as president of Marshall Jr. Inc., he expanded the company by creating new jobs and opportunities for existing and new employees. David furthered his initiatives by focusing his energy on the reentry population. He created further opportunities for job training and advancement. David is a firm believer that everyone is deserving of a second chance and sound employment. He also believes employment should be granted no matter one’s background. David had the distinct honor of serving as a facilitator for Baltimore City’s inaugural “Work Baltimore” initiative where he garnered much respect and gained great recognition. In this role, he quickly became a much sought-after presenter for several pre-convention workshops centered around job readiness skills. In October of 2017, David was honored by the “Henrietta Lacks Legacy Group” as employer of the year.

As previously stated, Journey to Josiah Inc. was formed after the adoption of David’s son. When David went public about his journey, many began to reach out to David for help on their own prospective journey’s. Most specifically other single gay men inquired about how David was able to do this. It was long thought that it was illegal to adopt as members of the LGBTQ community. While there is still much discrimination shown towards members of the LGBTQ community as it pertains to adoption, it is certainly not illegal for us to adopt. It became very clear to David that he needed to help to tear down these barriers and misconceptions. David was blessed to move through his adoption process seamlessly and it was his desire to help others do the same. Through David’s consulting work, he helps prospective adoptive families avoid the pitfalls and problems associated with the adoption process.

David is most proud to serve as a voice and advocate for those who have been mislead and shut out of the adoption and fostering process. This has afforded David the opportunity to gain national recognition for his work.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

David believes his reputation was built because of his transparency and compassion. Additionally, being THEE voice for members of the LGBTQ community as it pertains to adoption and fostering.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

David maintains regular correspondences with his clients. Additionally, he has assured them that even when they have matriculated through the process he will always be accessible. All of his clients know that he will never leave them. As long as they need him he will be there.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://journeytojosiah.org/bio/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journeytojosiah/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/journeytojosiah
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneytoJosiah

Image Credits
Roy Cox Photography C.D. Ashton Photography