David Melbert Pemberton was born in Detroit, Michigan, on April 24, 1926, to the parents of the late David and Cleo Pemberton. The eldest of seven siblings, he attended Miami-Dade Community College where he studied Accounting, it was there that he met the love of his life, Masseline. David's love for numbers led him to pursue a career as an insurance underwriter and tax preparer agent with the Maccabee's Agency.

David Pemberton practiced nonviolent principles and used this as a measure of healing and transforming lives in the community. He recognized the dignity and value of every human being, and promoted peace and harmony amongst all people regardless of race, color, age, or gender, and was involved in the Civil Rights Movement. One of his proudest moments was marching with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and being personally invited to the White House, where he met former President Lyndon B. Johnson. At the meeting, he met with the Housing Committee on the issue of redlining, the practice of denying services based on racial and ethnic background. Under Jim Crow Laws, all southern cities would get a map, and draw a red line to determine where they wanted black people to live. Personally invited to the White House by President Johnson for the historic signing of the Civil Rights Act, Pemberton was pleased that redlining was abolished.

Pemberton, a former player with the Negro Basketball League, led the integration of Bunche Park, a residential neighborhood in Miami-Dade (now Miami Gardens), through peaceful protests, calling on then Mayor Bennis and Commissioners to review the city's charter and requested the black community's fair share of the personal property tax. His request was denied, and he was physically removed from the council's chamber. He later formed the North Dade Citizen. Council (NDCC), where he served as chairman for seven years. The NDCC was designed to support economic fairness and protect the constitutional rights of residents. His leadership roles included serving as Chairman of the North Dade Health Center and the Opa-locka Community Development Corporation, an organization he helped establish. He was honored for his dedicated service in Opa-locka, including the local branch of the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Subsequently, he was recognized for providing dedicated services to the Rotary Club of Opa-locka, and awarded for his leadership and services with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). Because of his commitment to family and community, the Urban League of Greater Miami recognized David Pemberton as "Father of the Year."  The recipient of numerous awards, Pemberton was honored for 55 combined years of devoted service to the City of Miami and the City of Opa-locka. An avid lover of basketball, he rejected an opportunity to play with the Harlem Globetrotters, choosing instead to return to Miami to help his mother with the family's store. Pemberton joined the Bethany Seventh-day Adventist Church where he served as Head Elder, Sabbath School Superintendent, Sabbath School Teacher, and Missionary Volunteer Leader. He also worked in the church's Community Service Center. Remembered by many as a loving, caring, kind person, he was filled with passion and wisdom. A devoted husband, he and Masseline were married for 64 years, and the unconditional love they shared continued to resonate in the lives and hearts of their children and friends. Predeceased by his wife, David Pemberton died on April 11, 2015. He is survived by four beautiful daughters, three sons-in-law, eight grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. A resolution was recently passed by the City of Opa-locka renaming Magnolia North Community Park after David M. Pemberton.