Duane was born in Buffalo and grew in Cold Springs and North Buffalo. Former Pastor of Cornerstone C.O.G.I.C., now a minister in training at Delaine Waring AME Church, he has recently been appointed as the President of the Buffalo Niagara Falls Chapter of the National Action Network. He is a graduate of Seneca Vocational High School, radio personality on WUFO 1080am, and founder and owner of DMMP Productions. From the Emerging Leaders program, he expects to take problems of social injustice as President of the National Action Network and organize people to be able come up with a plan of action that will result in bringing a solution to take his people to another level.