Expanding Our Roots: Dustin LaFont

"Expanding Our Roots: Global Conversations With 821" is an online interview series hosted by The 821 Project. The purpose of\ the series is to showcase the cultural diversity, global connections and social consciousness of the people of southeast Louisiana as well as those who work to expand southeast Louisiana's roots to the world through works that promote social justice and global citizenship.

The series presents community organizers, community leaders and residents living in southeast Louisiana who come from different parts of the world or who work to promote global citizenship, multiculturalism and social justice in our regional community.

This interview is with Dustin LaFont. Dustin LaFont is the director of Front Yard Bikes, a workforce development program and community bike shop that teaches a variety of skills and life lessons for youth ages 6-22. He previously taught 6th grade history and served as a full time tutor with City Year Baton Rouge. He has his Bachelor’s in History and Masters in Teaching from LSU. As the representative of Front Yard Bikes, Dustin was a featured TEDxLSU speaker, awarded the Blue Cross Blue Shield Angel Award, Baton Rouge Business Reports 40 under 40, and was recently awarded the Dorothy Richardson Award in Chicago. Along with such accolades, Dustin credits his faith, family, and wonderful youth, who collaborate daily in the Baton Rouge community.