Deselyn Marshall, a customer care supervisor for Cox Communications in Baton Rouge, has been awarded the prestigious Anne Cox Chambers Award, making her the first Baton Rouge recipient in Cox’s 127-year history. The award recognizes Cox employees who make a meaningful impact through volunteerism and community service.
For Deselyn, advocacy is more than volunteer work—it’s personal. Her eldest son, Antonio, was placed in youth detention during a difficult chapter in his life. While visiting him weekly, Deselyn observed that many of the young people in the system lacked vital family support. After Antonio tragically lost his life to gun violence in 2007, Deselyn’s heartbreak transformed into a mission: to help guide local youth away from the same fate.
Today, Deselyn is a tireless advocate through Capital Area CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), representing the best interests of over 3,900 local children in the legal system. She also volunteers with the Boys & Girls Clubs’ Virtual Read Aloud program and the Foundation for East Baton Rouge School System. Since joining Cox in 2013, she has been actively involved with Cox Charities, which supports community initiatives focused on youth, education, social justice, and the arts.
Deselyn received the Anne Cox Chambers Award from Cox Enterprises Chairman and CEO, Alex Taylor, the grandson of the award’s namesake. Along with the honor, she was given a $10,000 grant from the James M. Cox Foundation, which she generously donated to The Butterfly Society, a nonprofit supporting survivors of domestic violence.
Through her personal loss, professional dedication, and selfless giving, Deselyn Marshall exemplifies the power of resilience and compassion to change lives—one child, one story at a time.
