Shreveport, LA, September 24, 2025
News Summary
The Greater Shreveport Chamber has introduced two key programs to promote leadership and community engagement in Northwest Louisiana. The Greater Shreveport Leadership Program aims to develop adult leaders while the inaugural Greater Shreveport Youth Leadership Program focuses on high school juniors and seniors. Both initiatives emphasize local issues, fostering community contributions and partnerships with organizations and schools, including impactful projects like public art murals.
Shreveport Strengthens Leadership and Community Engagement Through Innovative Programs
The Greater Shreveport Chamber has launched two pivotal programs aimed at boosting community involvement and leadership development in Northwest Louisiana. The Greater Shreveport Leadership Program and the inaugural Greater Shreveport Youth Leadership Program target adult and youth leaders, respectively, fostering future contributors to regional progress.
Each year, approximately 40 participants are selected for the Greater Shreveport Leadership Program. The initiative provides insight into government, business, and economic development topics critical to the region. Under the leadership of Tracy Whittington, Director of Investor Relations for the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, participants dedicate one day each month over the course of the year to explore various local subjects, which include community, history, education, economic development, transportation, and healthcare.
A core element of the program is the requirement that participants engage in a project, typically a fundraising effort supporting local nonprofits. In 2022, the initiative aimed to generate $50,000 for a public art mural. The successful project was the Ascension mural, located on Marshall Street in downtown Shreveport, which serves as a visual gateway into the city. The mural’s artist, Ka’Davien Baylor, conceived it as a representation of diversity and transformation, delivering a message of hope and unity for the city.
The creation of the mural also paved the way for collaborations with the state Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), catalyzing future mural ventures in cities like Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
Participants in the Greater Shreveport Leadership Program often express a desire for the experience to extend beyond one year and highlight the strong friendships formed throughout their journey. Many graduates continue to engage with the community through various board and committee sessions organized by the Chamber.
Applications for the 2026 leadership program are now open to all residents of Northwest Louisiana, with no upper age limit or requirement to be a chamber member. The tuition is $1,800 for chamber members and $2,300 for non-members with limited financial assistance available.
In tandem with the adult program, the Chamber has launched the inaugural Greater Shreveport Youth Leadership Program, which recognized 40 high school juniors and seniors for their completion of this initiative. This program, developed in collaboration with Caddo Parish Public Schools, aims to groom future leaders who are informed about their potential impact on the community.
Participating students engaged in nine day-long experiences during the academic year, covering subjects such as local history, government, media, healthcare, and education. Activities included field trips to Barksdale Air Force Base, interactions with elected officials in Baton Rouge, and career exploration meetings with local leaders.
Caddo Parish Public Schools Superintendent Keith Burton highlighted the role of the program in shaping students’ awareness of their future contributions to regional development. Additionally, Chamber President Dr. Tim Magner emphasized the program’s goal of inspiring students to envision themselves as agents of change in the community.
Students from several local high schools, including Booker T. Washington, C.E. Byrd, and Northwood, participated in this esteemed initiative, with their accomplishments celebrated at a ceremony held at the Petroleum Club.
Community Engagement and Leadership Development
The programs underscore the commitment of the Greater Shreveport Chamber to cultivate leadership at all levels of the community, ensuring a pipeline of engaged citizens ready to contribute to the ongoing development of Northwest Louisiana.
FAQ
What is the Greater Shreveport Leadership Program?
The Greater Shreveport Leadership Program is an initiative that selects approximately 40 participants yearly to learn about government, business, and economic development in Northwest Louisiana.
What are the tuition costs for the program?
Tuition for the program is $1,800 for chamber members and $2,300 for non-members, with limited tuition assistance available.
What is the purpose of the Greater Shreveport Youth Leadership Program?
The Greater Shreveport Youth Leadership Program aims to cultivate future community and business leaders among high school juniors and seniors through engagement in day-long experiences covering various topics related to local governance and community development.
What kind of projects do participants undertake?
Participants in the Greater Shreveport Leadership Program undertake projects that often involve fundraising for local nonprofits, such as the public art mural project aimed at raising $50,000 in 2022.
Key Features Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Name | Greater Shreveport Leadership Program |
| Participants | Approximately 40 selected yearly |
| Focus Areas | Government, business, economic development, community, education, healthcare, transportation |
| Tuition | $1,800 (members), $2,300 (non-members) |
| Project Example | 2022 Mural Project raised $50,000 for local nonprofit |
| Youth Program | Inaugural Greater Shreveport Youth Leadership Program |
| Participants (Youth) | 40 high school juniors and seniors |
| Collaborating School District | Caddo Parish Public Schools |
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Additional Resources
- Shreveport Bossier Advocate: Greater Shreveport Leadership Group
- KTBS: Greater Shreveport Chamber recognizes youth leadership graduates
- Shreveport Bossier Advocate: Shreveport Amazon Plant Honored
- Louisiana Illuminator: Louisiana Tax Insights
- KTAL News: Lynn Stevens Governor’s Gold Award Recipient Dies
- Wikipedia: Leadership
- Google Search: Community Engagement
- Google Scholar: Leadership Development
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Community
- Google News: Leadership Programs
Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER
The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
