Deborah Dicks Maxwell is currently the President of the NC State Conference of the NAACP. She is the first female President in NC 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 NC for all citizens.  Deborah knows that equity in all areas is needed and this will eliminate racial discrimination.

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.

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.