By HARRIET PROTHRO PENROD
When LeVette Fuller returned to Shreveport after four years in California, she thought she’d stay in her hometown for a year and then move away again. After that year, however, Fuller couldn’t decide where she wanted to go, so she stayed.
Over an incredible lunch at Zuzul Coastal Cuisine – I enjoyed the delicious Grilled Fish of the Day (Red Snapper) while LeVette went with the Crispy Fried Chicken – she talked about her goals back then, everything that has happened since, and her plans for the future.
When LeVette Fuller realized she was going to stay in Shreveport, she made a decision.
“If I was going to be here,” she says, “I wanted to make a difference.”
Fuller thought she would begin in the public library system, so the Caddo Magnet High School and Centenary College graduate went to work for Shreveport Memorial Library – first at the Wallette Branch and then at the Downtown Branch, before moving to the North Shreveport Branch.
She served the young people of Caddo Parish as Teen Services Associate and shared her love of comics, young adult literature, and children’s books with them.
And when I say she “shared” her love of children’s books, that is not an understatement.
“I was Dr. Spaghetti the storyteller,” says Fuller, whose background is in dance and theater. “I did all the voices for all the books.”
In addition to her work with local schools and community partners through the public library system, Fuller volunteered with the Junior League of Shreveport and served on both the Leadership Council for Step Forward and the Metropolitan Planning Commission – where her interest in architecture turned to learning about the zoning laws and other policies that shape Shreveport.
“When I came off the MPC, I had all this knowledge about land use and nowhere for it to go,” says Fuller.
She soon found an outlet for that passion.
With founding members Tim Wright, Luke Lee, and Chris Lyon, Fuller created Re:Form Shreveport, whose mission is to build a stronger and more resilient Shreveport by growing a culture of engagement and trust between citizens, businesses, and government.
Wright, director of the organization, is a civil engineer and downtown enthusiast who moved here from Dallas; Shreveport native Lee is a multi-disciplined designer, maker, and business owner; and Lyon, who has called Shreveport home for over 25 years, is a filmmaker and community activist.
Re:Form Shreveport uses the theory learned from the Better Block Foundation.
“Go where people are struggling and humbly walk with them,” says Fuller. “Don’t tell them what they need. Listen to their struggle and what they are telling you they need. Then do one small thing that alleviates that struggle. And then do it again. And again.”
In partnership with SPAR and Shreveport Green, the organization revitalized Highland Park – cleaning it up and installing features such as a bike rack and water fountain in addition to creating terraces to prevent erosion.
Other projects include the Bikeway Pilot Program, Prize Fest Parklet, Common Parklet, and Caddo Heights Revitalization.
Things slowed down and the members took a “little break” as they all got “really busy.”
In 2018, Fuller got busy by beginning her political career. Elected to the Shreveport City Council, she served the people of District B from Anderson Island, Caddo Heights, Downtown, Highland, South Highlands, Stoner Hill, and Queensborough (where she grew up).
Some of the issues she has supported as a Councilwoman include streamlining the permitting process for new business and addressing blight in District B’s neighborhoods by working directly with the Department of Property Standards and dedicated local volunteers.
The issue closest to her heart, however, is higher salaries for law enforcement.
Fuller was born and raised in Shreveport by her father, retired Shreveport Police Lt. Everett Fuller, and her mother, Caddo Parish teacher Mary Fuller. Together, they taught her the value of reading, education, and public service.
As the daughter of a police officer, Fuller has first-hand knowledge of the struggles faced by those who serve.
“We need to focus on what is going to be right for Shreveport and not worry about what other cities are doing,” says Fuller. “Our officers have to endure low pay and low morale. They should be paid according to the hazards they face, morale, and the skill set required.”
While Fuller has enjoyed her time on the Council and has no regrets about serving, frustration with some colleagues and difficulty working with the administration kept her from running for re-election. Instead, she decided the best way she could contribute to the community was to seek the office of mayor of the City of Shreveport.
For her campaign, Fuller focused on public safety, infrastructure, fiscal responsibility and transparency, and economic development. Instead of just talking about those issues, she created YouTube videos that explained them and answered questions about each one.
When votes were counted in November’s primary, Fuller had finished fifth in the 10-candidate race – behind Tom Arceneaux, Greg Tarver, Mario Chavez, and current mayor Adrian Perkins.
And when Arceneaux defeated Tarver in the December runoff, the mayor-elect asked both Fuller and Chavez to join his transition team.
“If you have a similar goal, you bring those people to the table,” says Fuller. “You don’t dismiss them. And, to some degree, that is what Tom has done.”
Fuller will chair the Blight Abatement Transition Committee while Chavez will serve on the Community Building Transition Committee.
“We’re not making decisions, we’re making recommendations based on data and research,” Fuller says of the 90-day commitment to the transition team. “I’m looking forward to seeing what we’re able to do.”
As for what Fuller will do when her commitment has lapsed, there is plenty to consider. Could that mean another foray into public office?
“I’m not a ‘never, ever person,’” says Fuller. “But not anytime soon. This will be time for me to expand my knowledge base, have some adventures, live a little, and maybe be a little bit selfish.”
Fuller, who will pursue a career in real estate, is eager to get back to work at Re:Form Shreveport and will continue to take care of her father (which she has done since her mother passed away).
And she would love to return to the stage.
“I want to play Miss Hannigan from Annie,” she says.
I’ll be there.
Contact Harriet at sbjharriet@gmail.com
