HONORABLE LINDA L. REED GRIFFIN

TRUSTEE, GARLAND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Honorable Linda Reed Griffin served as the immediate past President of the Garland Independent School District board of trustees. She currently serves as the assistant secretary, and has the distinction of being the only board member of the current seven-member board to serve three terms as board president.  She comes to the trustee position with 20 years of committed service to a diverse community and an organization responsible for educating over 56,000 students.  Throughout her tenure as trustee, she has diligently served the students and communities of Garland, Rowlett and Sachse, Texas by exemplifying her motto: “Always Benefiting Children”.  Elected to the position in May of 1998, Mrs. Linda Griffin made history as the first African American to serve as school board trustee in Garland Independent School District.

Since elected, Griffin has served in several key leadership positions.  She is often described by colleagues and friends as a life-long learner, actively engaged community member, exemplary leader and she represents the epitome of servant leadership.  She maintains high visibility throughout the Tri-Cities by supporting school, civic and community events.  She is steadfast in her dedication and commitment to providing academic excellence to all students while maintaining a financially sound school district.   

As the first in her family to obtain two college degrees, Griffin has always been a strong proponent of quality education.  She holds a Masters of Arts degree from Columbia University in New York, New York and a Bachelor of Arts degree from

Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee, both in the field of Business Administration and Business Education.  She was also recognized as the valedictorian of the Rochelle Junior/Senior High School in her hometown of Lakeland, Florida.

Mrs. Linda Griffin is a long time corporate executive with a professional career spanning more than 40 years in the information technology sector.  She began with organizations such as Electronic Data Systems (EDS) and moved to Allianz Life Insurance Company.  During her time at Allianz, she rose through the ranks to the level of Vice President overseeing the implementation of various systems and programs. Her experiences as a corporate executive and her knowledge of information technology in the insurance industry eventually led her to become CEO of LINDCO, a management consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, project management, professional recruiting, and staff development.

Linda Griffin’s professional excellence and notable leadership acumen have led to countless achievements, honors and awards; however, one of her most memorable accomplishments began over forty-three years ago when she cofounded the St. Mark Institutional Baptist Church in Garland, with her husband the late Rev. Dr. Roosevelt A. Griffin, a church built on a strong biblical foundation, with an emphasis on Christian education, spiritual growth, and spiritual development for adults as well as the youth.  Currently, she serves as an Elder at Kaiser Street Baptist Church in Garland.

She is also the proud mother of the multi-talented artist, songwriter and vocalist Reuben Lael Griffin, proud son and graduate of Garland High School.  Reuben has followed in his mother’s educational footsteps and has completed both a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and a Master’s in Public Administration at Southern University A & M, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Linda is a Life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.  Her journey and service to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated began with her initiation into Alpha Psi Chapter at Tennessee State University in the fall of 1968.  As an active member of Alpha Psi, she represented the chapter in many campus initiatives and had the distinct honor of serving as chapter president.  She is also a life member of Tennessee State University Alumni Association and the NAACP.

It is clear to see that her community service is inspiring, impactful and influential; thus allowing her to be the recipient of numerous awards, recognitions and board appointments throughout the North Dallas region.

Education and service are genuine passions embodied by this servant leader.  Linda enjoys giving back to the community and embraces her responsibility as a trustee, a community leader and business owner to make a difference in the lives of all students. 

• Garland Chamber of Commerce
  • ​1999/2000 Service Award
  • ​ ​2000 Committee Chairman of the Year
• ​TPOA Dallas – Co Educational Excellence Award 2001
• ​Garland Branch NAACP Black History Award 2001
• ​Main Street Garland—City’s First Black School Board Member 2000
• ​PTA Life Award –Texas Congress of Parents & Teachers
• ​Leadership Award – Texas Alliance of Black School Educators 2002-2004
• ​Legislative Award – Garland Council of PTA
• ​Mistress of Ceremony NAACP Freedom Fund Brunch 2010
• ​GAASBE Honorary Lifetime Member 2010
• ​Woman of the Year – South Dallas Chapter Negro Business & Professional Women 2011 ​Special Service Proclamation Mayor Jones Garland 2012
• ​Garland Alliance of Black School Educators – Outstanding Service 2013
• ​South Central District GBPW – “We Speak your Name.”
• ​Luzhui Township Taiwan Appreciation 2013
• ​TASB Appreciation of Service   2004 – 2013
• ​GAFHA Excellence in Education
• ​State of Texas Education Round Table House of Representatives District #112 2014-2017 ​State of Texas Readers’ Choice 2017 – Wylie News
• ​ GAASBE Community Partner in Education 2017
• ​Carver Alumni Certificate of Appreciation 2017
• ​Unsung Hero Dallas County Commissioner Court 2017
• ​St. Luke Methodist Church Women Matter   2018
• ​Best of the Best Readers’ Choice   2018
• ​Fifty Years of Service - Alpha Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. ​Texas Senate Proclamation #103 Fifty Years of Service AKA
• ​Texas Alliance of Black School Educators – School Board Member of the Year 2019 ​Outstanding Texans Award – 2019 -Texas Black Legislative Caucus
• ​Phenomenal Woman – St. Paul AME Church --2019

• Garland, Rowlett, Sachse Chambers of Commerce
• ​Salvation Army – Garland Corps --Chairperson
• ​WBe Woman’s Initiative Mentoring Program
• ​Garland & Vicinity Minister’s Wives Alliance -Charter Member/Past Pre Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Youth Choir Facilitator
• Past Chair of Leadership Garland Steering Committee
• Greater Dallas Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce
• Student Cultural Exchange ​
• Hope’s Door New Beginning Center Fashion Show Luncheon – Co-Chairperson Garland Corps – Salvation Army Past Chairperson
• DFW African American Educational Summit
• Ikandy Foundation
• Miss Asia American International Beauty Pageant Judge