I’m David Esrati. I’m a Dayton, Ohio-based publisher, marketer, and citizen journalist focused on local government, courts, schools, public records, and the systems that shape civic life. I’ve published Esrati.com since 2006, and I work from the South Park Historic District, where I’ve lived since January 1986.
My work sits at the intersection of communications and accountability. Professionally, I run The Next Wave, an ad agency I started in 1988. Civically, I document what local institutions do, what they say they do, what the records show, and where the gaps are. When public agencies won’t answer basic questions, I use public records requests and, when necessary, litigation to force clarity.
What I do
On Esrati.com I write about:
- Dayton and regional government decisions and spending
- transparency, Sunshine Law compliance, and public records
- school governance and performance (including Dayton Public Schools)
- courts and public integrity issues
- civic reform ideas—especially structural fixes that reduce waste and increase accountability
When possible, I prefer primary sources: documents, meeting video, filings, and direct quotes. I also correct mistakes. If you see an error, tell me—specifics help—and I’ll address it.
Background
I’m a first-generation American, born in Celina, Ohio, and raised in Cleveland Heights. I graduated from Cleveland Heights High School in 1980, entered the U.S. Army in 1981, and served with the 7th Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, then later with the 11th Special Forces Group as a reservist in Ohio.
I’m a Wright State University graduate with a BSB in Marketing. At Wright State I founded the Raider Hockey Club and spent a lot of time building things—clubs, projects, campaigns—often with more persistence than polish.
Civic work
I’ve been involved in neighborhood and civic projects for decades, including:
- President (two terms), Historic South Park Inc.
- Founder of South Park Social Capital- Dayton's first and only for profit development organization.
- Founder, Reconstructing Dayton (501(c)(4)) - focused on regionalism
- Founder, The Modern Policy Institute (501(c)(3))- focused on voter information systems.
- Co-founder, VOB-108, later VOBOhio (Veteran Owned Businesses in Ohio)
- Ongoing work using public records and Sunshine Law enforcement to support open government
- Citizen journalism focused on Dayton Public Schools since 2016
- Democratic Candidate for Congress in OH-10, 2022.
- Running for Democratic Candidate for Congress in OH-10 2026
I’ve also done hands-on, small-scale community work, like hanging hundreds of green basketball nets across Dayton as a visible reminder to kids that someone cares—and as a nudge to the city that public spaces matter.
Professional work
The Next Wave is my agency and my lab. We do strategy, creative, and practical execution—often for organizations that need clarity more than hype. I also own The Next Wave Printing.
Contact and use
If you’re a reader with a correction, a lead, or a document, reach out. If you’re a public official who thinks I got something wrong, I’m happy to look at source material and publish updates.
Contact: [email protected]
Social: LinkedIn, BlueSky, Youtube
Selected work: This links to my "Must Read" Category
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