Celebrating What is Uniquely Ours
We are excited to announce that the State of Black Shreveport will host a Weekend of Power beginning on February 27, 2026. This event will feature illuminating workshops and presentations from respected voices in the Black community. We aim to create a multimedia platform to spread awareness, provide solutions, and ultimately motivate our people to improve their quality of life. We believe that investing in ourselves is essential to progress, and we hope you join us in celebrating the rich culture and legacy of the Black community.
2026 State of Black Shreveport Symposium
The goal of the State of Black Shreveport is to inform, educate, mobilize and strategize toward a common agenda that will create a paradigm shift and progressive agenda to improve the current social, cultural, political and economic conditions affecting Black Shreveport. This forum will serve as the foundation for further community action that will raise the per capita income of African Americans in the city, while building a community enveloped in Black Economic Power; bolster Black Entrepreneurship by increasing access to potential investors, venture capitalists and banking institutions; create a powerful Black voting base that will dominate the city’s political landscape; increase racial unity and Black Pride; improve cultural, social and community cohesion; and organize the Black community by identifying shared problems and finding mutually beneficial solutions.
Be A Vendor at The Vendor Fair
Small Owned Business $75
Corporate or Government Organizations $150
Schedule of Events
Friday, February 27, 2026
SOBS Cash Mob/ Reception
Location: Red River Social Kitchen + Bar
450 Clyde Fant Pkwy Suite 400, Shreveport, LA 71101
Time: 6PM-9PM
Saturday, February 28, 2025
Symposium and Economic Summit
Location: Morning Star Baptist Church of Shreveport
5340 Jewella Ave, Shreveport, LA 71109
Time: 9AM-4PM
Mayoral Forum 1PM in Church Sanctuary
US Senate, Congressional, and Public Service Candidate Form 2PM in Church Sanctuary
Vendor Fair
Location: Morning Star Baptist Church of Shreveport
5340 Jewella Ave, Shreveport, LA 71109
Family Life Center
Time: 9AM-4PM
Heritage Awards/Scholarship Banquet
Location: Williams Memorial CME Temple (Fellowship Hall)
3301 St. Matthias Drive, Shreveport, LA 71119
Time: 7PM
Sunday, March 1, 2026
Citywide Church Service
Location: Sunrise Baptist Church
3220 Lakeshore Dr. Shreveport, LA 71109
Time: 2PM
This is the State of Black Shreveport
State of Black Shreveport Symposium
State of Black Shreveport Symposium and Economic Summit launched its inaugural gathering on February 18, 2012, at the historic Booker T. Washington High School in Shreveport, Louisiana. This organization and annual symposium, being the brainchild of Founder Lynn D. Cawthorne, is a gathering of Business, Community Leaders, Education Advocates, Elected Officials, Clergy, and everyday citizens. Its purpose is to discuss issues facing the local Black Community and how we work collectively to form solutions.
The State of Black Shreveport aims to promote continuous activities
that foster community engagement - while mobilizing all segments of the African American community - by addressing issues in the following critical areas:
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Media and Technology
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Business Development and Business Opportunity
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Crime and Violence
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Education Access and Resources
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Health Disparities
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Economic Opportunity
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Politics and Policymaking
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Spirituality, Religion and the Church in the 21st Century
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Youth Engagement and Leadership Development
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Voting Patterns
In 2012, Shreveport’s Black Community was facing declining test scores at local neighborhood schools, a spike in the crime rate, widening disparities in healthcare outcomes, and a lack of access to capital for small business start-ups. Over the last 11 years, the State of Black Shreveport has worked diligently with our local neighborhood schools to raise money for scholarships, ACT/SAT test prep, college prep seminars, and sponsoring “Trunk Parties” for first-generation college students which provided students with a trunk (footlocker) filled with supplies a freshman college student would need their first semester in college. In an effort to promote Black-owned businesses, the organization launched “The Cash Mob” - a program that promotes black-owned businesses through radio and television publicity campaigns. This program targets a particular business and creates an influx of new customers on a designated date. State of Black Shreveport has sponsored several Cash Mobs of these over the years.
The State of Black Shreveport has partnered with local elected officials and law enforcement to sponsor crime prevention events. Additional partnerships include local and national banking institutions to establish a revolving loan pool that provides capital to small businesses. SOBS has sponsored entrepreneurship seminars and is in the process of creating a Black Economic Development Think Tank.
In 2024, the State of Black Shreveport remains committed to our local community and continually looking for ways to address the mammoth challenges that our community faces. Our motto remains “ If you improve Black Shreveport, you improve all of Shreveport. "
SPONSORS
This event would not be possible without the extreme graciousness of our community partners! Contact us to learn more about how you can contribute to the cause.
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Join our mission to make a difference in the local Black Community. Sign up to volunteer today and create positive change in our community.
