Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home

Episode 127 Krewe of Gemini - "Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home"

This week our focus is Mardi Gras! You can find my full discussion with Tony Richardson and Karen Baker, Krewe of Gemini, here.
 
Here are the questions I asked:
 
0:28 1. Both of you are part of The Krewe of Gemini, the oldest parading Mardi Gras Krewe in Shreveport-Bossier.
 
We recently kicked off Mardi Gras season 2025 with Twelfth Night.
 
Tell me when it was and some of what happened that night.
 
5:10 2. Tony, you are originally from Michigan but are now Captain for this year’s 36th year of Gemini. Tell me how you first got involved in Gemini.
 
8:00 3. Karen, you first joined the Krewe of Gemini in 2007, were Queen for the 30th year of Gemini, and are a current board member. What is Gemini for you and what are some of the reasons you continue to give so much of your time to it?
 
12:16 4. What many people don’t realize is how much of an economic impact Mardi Gras delivers to our local economy. According to numbers released by the Caddo Parish Commission in early 2024, the direct economic impact of Mardi Gras parades in Shreveport was estimated to be more than $9 million. Adding indirect spending, the total economic impact was estimated to be more than $16 million.
 
Do people travel into the area for our Mardi Gras? Or can you talk about some of the different ways that local Mardi Gras delivers an economic impact?
 
15:34 5. The Krewe of Gemini parade draws hundreds of thousands of spectators each year along the 5½ mile parade route.
 
When will it roll this year and talk to me some about its parade route?
 
17:05 6. For people listening who are interested in becoming a part of a Krewe, what’s the best way for them to get involved?
 
24:08 7. What distinguishes Mardi Gras in North Louisiana from Mardi Gras in South Louisiana?

Episode 126 Clarrissa Stephens - "Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home"

Like so many of my guests, Clarrissa's journey is an instructive one and so rich with valuable lessons for us all. You can find our full discussion here.
 
Here are the questions I asked:
 
0:28 1. You and I first met about a year ago. As I have mentioned several times here, I currently chair the advisory board for LSUS’ Institute for Nonprofit Administration and Research (or INAR as most people know it).
 
You were one of 15 nonprofit leaders selected to participate in an important INAR initiative, its first capacity building cohort.
 
Tell me both about your nonprofit, Uniforms For All, and why the cohort was an important initiative for you to be a part of.
 
4:04 2. For the past 14 years, you have been on staff at Northpoint Community Church in Bossier City where you currently serve as the Connections and Community Relations Pastor. Talk to me if you would a little about the church – its values and focus.
 
5:47 3. You found the church by way of a fairly circuitous path – having been a victim of domestic abuse, struggling with drugs, even finding yourself incarcerated at one point.
 
I have heard you talk about how God gave you the grace to care. And I have heard you cite Romans chapter 8, verse 1,”There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
 
For those listening today, talk to me a little about how the church has given you a reboot and allowed you to completely take your life to a different place.
 
10:07 4. Somewhat unknown fact - you are a WWII buff. If you could, tell me what it is about WWII that is so fascinating to you and perhaps share 1 or 2 of the stories from the war that you find most instructive.
 
13:27 5. I’ve heard you talk about the “circle check”. Talk to me some about this.

Episode 125 Mack McCarter - "Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home"

This week we sit down with one of the great thinkers about community that we have. You can find my full discussion with Mack McCarter here.  
 
Here are the questions that I asked:
 
0:46 1. Mack, you are the founder and coordinator of Community Renewal International, one of our community’s most impactful nonprofits that you first started in 1994. You are also one of the great thinkers about community that we have.
 
The what, where, when, who of Community Renewal are all instructive and invaluable lessons to us all but where I would like to spend the most time with you today is the why. In a little while, I will come back to you to give me a snapshot of Community Renewal but let’s start here.
 
In numerous podcasts, I have been a detective, asking numerous guests how do we move from a “Me” to a “We” world.
 
How did we get here? Why are we so me-focused as a community?
 
6:38 2. Tell me about Harry Blake. How did you first get to know him and what are some of the things you learned from Revered Blake?
 
15:02 3. You live part time in Washington DC. In an op-ed piece you wrote for The Shreveport Times in 2018, as you looked out at American society as a whole, you wrote these words:
 
“We must celebrate our diversity as we all commit to common values that transcend each of us for the good of all of us. But how?”
 
You have studied social systems, trying to discover what kind of society would make possible a world where people love their neighbors. What are some conclusions you have come to?
 
21:20 4. I don’t want to spend too much time here because I’ll have another representative from Community Renewal International on in a few weeks.
 
Community Renewal International focuses on three primary strategies– We Care Partners, We Care Neighbors, and We Care Friendship House. Can you give me a snapshot of each of these three strategies?
 
26:46 5. As you look at our community in 2024, thirty years after you first started Community Renewal, talk to me about some of the things that still concern you the most?
 
31:32 6. Lastly, what gives you hope that we’re headed in the right direction as a community?

Episode 124 Dr. Christopher Holoman - "Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home"

Centenary College has experienced tremendous growth under Dr. Christopher Holoman, its president since 2016. When you sit down with Dr. Holoman, it's clear why. You can find my full discussion here.
 
Here are the questions I asked:
 
0:39 1. On March 17, 2017, you were formally inaugurated as Centenary College’s 31st President.
 
Since taking over, Centenary has experienced tremendous growth, including its largest enrollment since 2011 and the first time on-campus housing has been full in 20 years. Obviously one of your focuses has and always will be enrollment.
 
Talk to me about some of the ways you have successfully been able to grow enrollment. Where is enrollment today, and what do you see as the ideal enrollment goal for the College?
 
6:25 2. What are a few of the most challenging obstacles you have faced and/or continue to face in achieving your enrollment goals?
 
8:50 3. Since I’ve read that you are a fan and my wife and I are watching right now, who is your favorite West Wing character and why?
 
10:14 4. Centenary College is the oldest chartered liberal arts college west of the Mississippi River. In fact, starting in January and I believe all year next year, the college will be celebrating its bicentennial.
 
In conjunction with this very important milestone, the College put together its “FORWARD” capital campaign, the campaign for the college’s third century. Talk to me about some of the key projects and initiatives of the Forward campaign.
 
21:26 5. On May 31, 2024, it was announced that Birmingham-Southern College, an institution that first started in 1856, had to close its doors. What are some of the things we have to do at Centenary and as a community to ensure that never happens to us?
 
30:44 6. I’ve heard you say that 1/3 of your freshmen when they get out of college will take a job that doesn’t exist today. How do you as the President of a college use this knowledge about our changing world and strategize to prepare students to thrive in the world that awaits them?

Episode 123 Chase Boytim - "Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home"

So much wisdom in this conversation about what we make a 21st Shreveport-Bossier into. You can find my full discussion with Chase Boytim, Proprietor of Fatty Arbuckle's Pub, here.
 
Here are the questions I asked:
 
0:32 1. You are deeply entrenched in Shreveport restauranteur and bar owner history, having gotten your start with the Cush brothers.
 
Let’s start here today.
 
Tell me about the Cush’s, how you first got in with them, and some of the key things you learned during your time of working with them.
 
12:48 2. You are celebrating your 20th year of being at Fatty Arbuckle’s, the sole remaining original Red River District business. What keeps you committed to downtown?
 
16:35 3. I should know these things but I don’t. What are the rules today in the following categories.
 
a. Can you smoke in a bar in Shreveport?
 
b. How old do you need to be to get into a bar? And how old do you need to be able to order a drink at a bar?
 
c. At one point, if I’m not mistaken, the Red River District allowed for open container. Does it still?
 
27:32 4. During my travels, I have been to a number of cities where a body of water runs through the city center. Most, if not all of these cities, have a pedestrian bridge that easily connects the two sides. Do you think a pedestrian bridge connecting Downtown Shreveport and Bossier would make a major impact?
 
31:34 5. I’ve heard you talk about how we need to bring our city into this century. Talk to me some about this if you could. What would an ideal 21st century Shreveport-Bossier have, that it currently lacks?

Episode 122 Africa Price - "Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home"

Sitting down with Africa Price, this week's guest, it's so clear how she has excelled in numerous, key positions in our community. You can find our full discussion here.
 
0:34 1. You’ve had a varied and rich professional career. From executive editor of the Shreveport Times to Chief of Staff, Director of Governmental Affairs, and Director of Communications and Public Relations for two different Mayors of Shreveport. From Executive Director of Step Forward to now the Assistant Vice President of Government Relations for the North Louisiana Region and Ochsner LSU Health.
 
In a little while, I want to talk some about the traits you have that have enabled you to excel in so many chapters of your life. But let’s start here.
 
Tell me some about your current work with Ochsner and some of the important information you are working to convey to policymakers across the state.
 
4:58 2. I participated earlier this year in Ochsner’s Community Health Needs Assessment, a process that all tax-exempt hospitals are required to conduct every three years. Tell me some about this assessment, its purpose, and some of the key findings coming out of this year’s report.
 
10:20 3. You also oversee the community engagement and outreach work for Ochsner in the North Louisiana region. Tell me about some of this work and how Ochsner sees its role in the community.
 
13:14 4. So what is it that has made you so nimble professionally, so capable of excelling in a number of different professional arenas?
 
16:10 5. As you look out at our community, what are some of the things that concern you most?
 
18:32 6. What are some areas that make you feel that we are making progress and moving in the right direction as a community?

Episode 121 John Dean - "Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home"

People like John Dean who for many years have been both business leaders and incredibly active in trying to make our community better make me want to call them "business activists".  You can find my full discussion with John here.
 
Here are the questions I asked:
 
0:34 1. John, you have had a great career as a CPA at the accounting firm Heard, McElroy & Vestal but what I want to focus on today is how much you have done and continue to do for our community.
 
Let me but graze the surface. Presently or formerly, you have been the Early Education Chair for the Committee of 100, Chairman of the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, part of the Early Childhood Education Advisory Committee for Community Foundation, President of the Committee of 100, part of the Advisory Committee for VOA’s Communities in Schools, President of Step Forward and President of the Grayson Foundation.
 
Let’s start here. You once said, “If we’re going to do anything to improve our community, we’re going to have to put significant resources – time and energy – into early childhood education.”
 
Tell me a little, if you could, statistically where we are with early childhood education and why it’s so important.
 
6:02 2. I see advertisements in national newspapers like the Wall Street Journal about Communities in Schools (CIS). I understand that the Caddo Parish School Board has partnered with VOA to implement this program in key schools in the parish.
 
Are you familiar with CIS? What’s your impression?”  
 
10:21 3. Like me, I know that you are very concerned about the future health of Downtown Shreveport. Talk to me about where you see Downtown Shreveport today and what we can do to ensure it remains vital into the future.
 
19:42 4. As I mentioned earlier, you are the President of Grayson Foundation, one of the largest private foundations in Northwest Louisiana. Talk to me, if you could, about some of the types of projects Grayson Foundation is looking to fund.
 
33:38 5. You had a great career as a CPA and could have simply focused on your profession and your family. How did you learn the importance of giving back so much of your time to trying to make our community better?
 
37:16 6. My last formal question is, what are some of the things that make you optimistic that our community might be headed in a positive direction?

Episode 120 Oliver Jenkins - "Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home"

Stepping up because your community needs you and because there's so much opportunity to make a difference are at the heart of this week's discussion. You can find my full conversation with Oliver Jenkins here.
 
Here are the questions I asked:
 
0:25 1. One of the themes I want to explore with you today is how to get more people like Oliver Jenkins in our community.
 
To highlight but a few things about your life and career so far - you received your BA from Dartmouth, flew 150 combat missions over a 20 year career as a Marine, served two terms on the Shreveport City Council, and are currently the Board Chairman of the Shreveport Airport Authority and the President of Phillips Energy.
 
You once said, “We need people to step up across the spectrum, in my opinion to serve, whether it's in the military or their community.”
 
Who taught you this sense of service or where do you think you learned this trait that has been such a key part of who you are?
 
3:18 2. Let’s talk 9/11. Tell me where you were on 9/11 and where you spent the next few days and months.
 
9:34 3. As I mentioned earlier, you served two terms on the Shreveport City Council, from 2010-2018. Talk to me a little about your legacy. What do you count among your greatest achievements while on the Council and maybe a few of your main regrets?
 
18:14 4. You have two kids. What would have to change, if anything, for you to want them to come back and be important members of this community like you and your wife, Anne, have been?
 
20:34 5. Lastly, as you look out at the community, what are some of the things that make you feel that we might be headed in the right direction?

Episode 119 Barrow Peacock - "Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home"

How to work across the aisle and get transformative projects done like the new Jimmie Davis Bridge are at the core of this week's discussion. You can find my full discussion with Barrow Peacock here.
 
Here are the questions I asked:
 
0:28 1. Many people know you as Senator Peacock. But before you became Senator Peacock, you ran four unsuccessful campaigns for both houses of the Louisiana State Legislature.
 
Let’s start here today.
 
What convinced you initially to pursue political office? And how did you overcome the initial setback of four defeats to persist?
 
3:38 2. You were very involved during your 12 years in the State Legislature with the Jimmie Davis Bridge. Tell me some about this long, difficult project and where it is today.
 
8:28 3. You had a reputation as someone who could work across the aisle. There’s a story where your first vote as senator was the lone “nay” in the election of President John Alario for the 2012 term, after which you asked President Alario for a ride to New Orleans for that night’s BCS game between LSU and Alabama.
 
In a community where politics often continues to separate us, what are some words of wisdom you can share with the rest of us to help us to get along and work better with those who may think differently than us?
 
12:36 4. How did you decide when to tackle an issue and/or author a bill?
 
16:22 5. You had a very impactful and effective 12 years as State Senator, including serving as Chair of the Senate Retirement Committee and the Judiciary A Committee. As you look back on your time in the State Senate, talk to me a little about your legacy. What do you count among your greatest accomplishments? How about your biggest regrets?

Episode 118 Dr. Barzanna White - "Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home"

Supporting our students as administrators, teachers and parents is our focus this week as we sit down with Dr. Barzanna White, Caddo Parish District School Psychologist.
 
Here are the questions I asked:
 
0:41 1. You are the Caddo Parish District School Psychologist. In your role, you focus on student supports, positive school climates, suicide prevention, bullying prevention and safe and drug free schools. You are also the lead responder for all crises in the district.
 
I want to get into a number of different areas of your expertise today but let’s start here.
 
In speaking about cyberbullying, you once said that certain conversations need to take place between a parent and a child before the child is ever allowed to enter cyberspace. Can you talk some about what you recommend parents explain in these early conversations? And are there other precautions that you suggest parents take as their kids become users of social media and participants in cyberspace?
 
8:47 2. You were in your role with Caddo Parish Schools during COVID. We have spoken numerous times on this podcast about the negative impact that COVID had on our school-aged kids and the challenges it posed for our students and teachers. Because I have heard you speak about this some in the past, what are some of the positive things that came out of COVID?
 
15:08 3. We spoke about the conversations that you recommend parents have with their children in an effort to reduce or prevent cyberbullying. What are some other things our parents can do in the home to help our schools and teachers?
 
17:39 4. You once said, “It always becomes the balance in education. How much mental health should we provide and still be an academic learning community?”
 
If you could, briefly talk about some of the mental health initiatives that have taken place in Caddo Schools in the last 10 or so years and how you think about this balance between mental health and academic learning.