Rutherford County Public Health Director LaShan Dixon, an MTSU alumna, brought home the crown to become the United States of America Mrs. 2022 following competing recently in the pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada.

A Nashville, Tennessee, native, Dixon has over 15 years in the fashion and pageant industry and believes that “by walking in your purpose you can boldly walk with a purpose.” A 2020 recipient of the Young Alumni of the Year award from Middle Tennessee State University, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, graduate certificates in Health Care Management and Gerontology, and her master’s in Health and Human Performance.

Rutherford County Public Health Director LaShan Dixon, an MTSU alumna, waves to the crowd Feb. 19 after being crowned United States of America Mrs. 2022 following competing recently in the three-day pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Altenburg Studio Fine Photography)

United States of America Pageants are designed to encourage women to strive to achieve their hopes, dreams, goals and aspirations, while making them feel confident and beautiful inside and out, according to unitedstatesofamericapageants.com.

“We believe the true definition of beauty is ‘The unique set of combinations that make you, You!'” The website states. “Our motto is to EMPOWER Women, INSPIRE others, and UPLIFT everyone! We focus on women empowerment, promoting positive self-image and advocating a platform of community service, which allows our contestants to rise by lifting others. But more importantly we are an elite sisterhood that gives support and encouragement to inspire each delegate to be the best version of herself.”

In addition to competing in pageants, Dixon has coordinated and participated in numerous fashion shows and exclusive events. She is the CEO of LaShan Dixon LLC through which she empowers individuals to feel confident both on and off the runway, according to a county news release.

Rutherford County Public Health Director LaShan Dixon, an MTSU alumna, is all smiles after being crowned the United States of America Mrs. 2022 following competing in the Feb. 17-19 pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo courtesy of United States of America Pageants)

Dixon believes confidence is essential to health and well-being, and she helps people discover that attribute through Walking with a Purpose workshops and trainings.

Subsequently, as United States of America’s Mrs. Tennessee 2022, Dixon’s platform “Walking with a Purpose” opened another door for her to serve in her passion to empower and celebrate girls and women, while being a guide to help them through any life situation. Walking with a Purpose is a self-esteem program created to help women and girls that are dealing with low self-esteem, doubt, and dream-killing, the release states.

During workshops and conferences, she teaches about forgiveness, accountability and the importance of loving oneself from the inside out. With more than 1,200 hours dedicated to her platform, she recognizes that there are endless opportunities to partner with other women to help build relationships that foster collaboration.

“Throughout my life, I have made every effort to demonstrate personal and professional excellence in all that I do,” said Dixon in the release.  “For me, my purpose is to aim high and work hard to help others reach their goals by living in their 86,400 (number of seconds in each day).”

Equally important, the passion for helping others led Dixon, her husband, Lamar, and their daughter, Londyn, to become the founders of H.O.P.E., the life mission for their family. “H.O.P.E. Every Day”, which stands for “Helping Other People Excel,” is how they collectively operate as a family through various methods such as giving scholarships in memory of their late siblings and participating in service projects that help improve the quality of life for current and future generations.

Dixon is active with several community organizations including her roles as a member of the Pi Nu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.; vice president, Tennessee Public Health Association; vice president, Heart of Tennessee American Red Cross Board; board member, Prevention Coalition for Success; board member, Nourish Food Bank; oncoming board member, Main Street Murfreesboro, and a number of other organizations. Additionally, she has been a leader in the Rutherford County community and as a member of First Baptist Church –Murfreesboro for more than 10 years, hosting multiple community events while contributing towards several grants for women and underserved minority populations.

In her free time, Dixon loves to disc jockey, dance, travel, shoe shop, and spend time with family and friends.