Commissioner Davante Lewis

Davante Lewis, born and raised in Lake Charles, LA, is a social justice activist who has dedicated his life to building people power throughout civic participation.

Davante’s history of civic engagement dates back to his youth. As a high school student, he served as one of the first members of the Louisiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council, including as Vice-Chair. He also served as President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign Louisiana High School Coordinator. Davante’s belief that the younger generation needed to have a seat at the table to build a better future led him to run for Calcasieu Parish School Board at 18-years-old. While Davante’s campaign fell short, that run for office ignited a lifelong passion for serving his community that continues to grow today. Davante was elected as one of the youngest members of the Louisiana Democratic Party State Central Committee and was a delegate to the Democratic Party National Convention in 2012, 2016, and 2020.

Davante graduated from McNeese State University with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Communications. While at McNeese, Davante served as a two-term Student Body President, chair of the Louisiana Council of Student Body Presidents and a member of the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors. After graduation, Davante continued to be a champion for young people as a public school teacher who led programs to enhance positive behavior systems and promote positive relationships between teachers and students.

Taking his advocacy beyond the classroom, Davante joined the Louisiana Budget Project as Director of Public Affairs and Outreach, where he focuses on higher education policy, consumer protection policies, monitoring legislative developments and working with advocacy groups and coalition partners to forge a common agenda and action plan for advancing policies that benefit Louisianans with low and moderate incomes. At LBP, Davante has become a leading voice in Louisiana for economic and racial justice, consumer protections, equity in education, and financial aid & student loans reforms for students. Davante’s policy advocacy has been recognized at the national level. Davante served as the Co-Chair of the Outreach and Campaigns Advisory committee for the State Priorities Partnership - a network of state advocacy organizations advancing policies that benefit people with low-income - and was elected the Chair of the SPP’s Steering Committee. He is a sought after speaker and consultant on policy advocacy and community engagement.

Davante has been a volunteer and youth tutor at the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition, a LYFE Line Teen Summit speaker and facilitator, and a Dialogue of Race facilitator. He is currently a board member of the Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault, New Leaders Council of Louisiana, LIFT Louisiana and the Friends of the Capitol Park Museum.

Davante was elected in 2022 to serve as Public Service Commissioner for Louisiana's Third District, representing constituents from 10 Louisiana parishes, including the Baton Rouge and New Orleans greater metropolitan areas. He resides in Baton Rouge with his beloved dog Sera Harper.

Assumed Commissionership January 1, 2023; current term ends December 31, 2028.

Commission District Geographical Area

Ascension*, Assumption*, East Baton Rouge*, Iberville*, Jefferson*, Orleans*, St. Charles*, St. James, St. John Baptist, West Baton Rouge*

* Some parishes are divided according to precincts. Refer to Act 2 of the 2022 First Extraordinary Session