DeRico is a 7th-generation African Nova Scotian. He is the Senior Executive Advisor to the Deputy Minister, of the Province of Nova Scotia, in the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives.

He is a founding member of two non-profit organizations in Halifax, ACCE HFX, and Gamechangers902. DeRico Symonds holds an undergraduate degree in Child & Youth Study (2012) and an MEd in counselling through Acadia University (2018). DeRico is also a nationally certified therapist with the Canadian Counseling and Psychotherapy association.

DeRico volunteers his time with a multitude of endeavours such as supporting communities through incidents of violence, mentoring youth, making, and creating community connections and leading fundraisers for community members in need.