Following the application of three community members, the Caddo Parish School Board on Tuesday voted to appoint Darrin Dixon to serve District 7 as interim Board Member until an election is held this fall.

In the Board’s candidate interviews, Dixon said his mission as a Board Member would be to put children first while sharing the triumphs of the district and negating challenges Caddo may face.

“I see my role as one where I can serve as an advocate for the children and parents of District 7 while also serving all of the children and families of our community,” he said.

Dixon, who directs Small Business Development through Southern University Shreveport, has an extensive history of community leadership including a recent term as President of the Shreveport-Bossier African American Chamber of Commerce. In addition to his appointment on the Caddo Parish School Board, Dixon serves on the Board of Directors of Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana, remains an active member of the Shreveport-Bossier African American Chamber of Commerce and volunteers as the co-chair of the Strategic Action Council Community Development Corporation of Northwest Louisiana.

While intricately involved in understanding the role education plays in economic development and growth in a thriving community, Dixon was instrumental in establishing the region’s Small Women and Minority Owned Business Incubator. He also worked on a task force to create a Minority Supplier Institute in Northwest Louisiana where he co-authored the organization’s business plan. He is currently the co-chair of the Minority Supplier.

Dixon was sworn in by Board general counsel Reginald Abrams and immediately began his work as a board member by making his first motion. He took the seat of Raymond Green who retired from the Board on April 6.

A general election for the District 7 Board Representative seat will take place in October.