Darren L. Washington is a native of Gary , Indiana and a 1988 graduate of Horace Mann High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Millikin university in Decatur, Illinois and a Master's Degree in Public Affairs from Indiana University Northwest.
Darren's early interest in Youth, community service and politics was nurtured as an intern for the United Way of Central Indiana where he developed and coordinated the first Youth Leadership Program and during the 1996 legislative session where he served as an intern for the Indiana State Senate.
His tenure as Executive Director of the Indiana Commission on the Social Status of Black Males included working with state, county, and local elected officials to create city and county commissions in the cities of Gary, Evansville, South Bend, Muncie, Anderson, Michigan City, Fort Wayne, and Lake County Indiana. He also coordinated four state conferences, published three annual reports, and two publications focused on issues concerning the Black Family.
After three years with the commission, Washington made his move to corporate America accepting a position as an Area Mall Manager with the Simon Property Group, the largest Real Estate Investment Trust in the country. While his time with Simon provided him the opportunity to further develop his management Skills, it lacked the opportunity for self -fulfillment and gratification in giving back to his community.
When the opportunity to "come home" and make a difference presented itself, Darren accepted the challenge by returning to Gary Indiana in 2000 and served as Director of External Affairs for AT&T Communications. Darren was responsible for representing the company's interest in Northwest Indiana through lobbying efforts, community involvement, economic development, and philanthropy. Darren serves as a board member to the Hammond Development Corporation, Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, Northwest Indiana Quality of Life Council, Lake Area United Way, Northwest Indiana Better Business Bureau, and the Indiana Youth Institute. He Is also Co-Chairman of the Northwest Indiana Race Relations Council where he is working with many political, educational, business and community leaders concerning equal access to quality education and economic opportunities.
Washington's many awards include the 2005 Millikin University Young Alumnus of the year Award, and the Gary Neighborhood Service center 2003 Citizen of the Year award. He has also received the key to the cities of Evansville and Muncie Indiana.
In May of 2004 Darren was elected to the Gary Indiana Board of School Trustees, and became the youngest member to serve as School Board President. He was recently appointed by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels and Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Suellen Reed to serve as a member of the Indiana Education Roundtable.
As a state certified HIV/AIDS prevention counselor he founded Abstinence for Singles where speaks to thousands of youth and adult singles on a yearly basis concerning sexual abstinence, education, respect, relationships, teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and financial freedom. Mr. Washington has been the subject of television news stories , newspaper articles and has appeared on the covers of "Spiritual Perspective", "Being Single", and "Christian Single" magazines concerning his views on sexual abstinence, and family values.
