Focus SB is focusing on highlighting the members of Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins' Race I Diversity Committee.
The members are made up of 13 black; nine white; three others consisting of 15 males and 11 females.
The profiles of the 26 members are as follows:
+ Michael Billings - Hispanic, White, 36, Male.
I have a Bachelor of Art in French history from Louisiana State University, and I am the co-owner, with my mom, of Cotton Street Farms in downtown Shreveport.
+ Christopher (Chris) Ciocchetti - White, 46, Male.
I am an associate professor of philosophy at Centenary College of Louisiana. I hold the Charles Beaird Chair in Philosophy. I have taught courses on ethics for over 20 years, including ones dealing with race and racial issues.
+ Harvey Clay - Black or African-American, 69, Male.
Antioch Grad School, Social Service Administration, 16 years social service in group home and drug addiction
20+ years as Ford dealer.
10 years at Real BBQ (owner).
+ Janine (goes by JJ) Conway Black or African-American , White, 44, Female.
I'm on the board of the Shreveport Bossier African-American Chamber.
+ Shadi Darzeidan - (Race: I'd prefer not to say), 27, Male.
Participated in Dialogue on Race with YWCA of NWLA, work at after-school program that focuses on providing free academic and art classes to at-risk youth for low socio-economic families in a median low-income neighborhood of Shreveport.
+ Jada Durden - Black or African American, 38, Female.
*Creator of Women Discussing Race, a 530-member Facebook group filled with women who have gathered together to move the conversation forward about race and put things learned into action.
*YWCA Dialogues on Race participant. *2018 Shreveport Reconciliation Dinner participant.
*2007 Quality Diverse Work Place Setting Diversity Training Program presented by the Multicultural Center of the South.
+ Katrina Farris - Black or African-American, 34, Female.
African-American Chamber of Commerce (executive director) and NAACP (member)
+ John Henson - American Indian or Alaska Native, White, 50, Male.
Pastor of Church for the Highlands (a multi-ethnic congregation), chaplain for Volunteers of America of North Louisiana , doctorate in Community Development (with a focus on developing commonality in diversity).
+ Turaeza Hose - Hispanic, 41, Female.
Retired E8 USAF, MBA, executive director forMS KICK {choice neighborhood grant!SUSLA).
Small business owner, board member for COHAB.
+ Gary Lash-White, 68, Male.
CEO of the YMCA of Northwest Louisiana.
+ Nathaniel Manning - Black or African--American-62, Male.
NW LA Dialogue on Race facilitator, corporate diversity trainer. Professor SUS LA.
+ Ashish Modi-Asian, 52, Male.
Committee member of India Association of Shreveport and Bossier City; author of book "Birds Chasing Hope"; community volunteer; professional healthcare provider.
+ Betsy Phillips-White, 39, Female.
Former public school teacher, now mom of four I real estate agent.
+ John Ratcliff-White, 74, Male.
I have been a facilitator for Dialogue on Race Louisiana in Shreveport for two or three years. I initiated a successful effort to introduce Dialogue on Race Louisiana into Mississippi and was one of two facilitators in each of the first three Original Series in separate counties there. I am currently the interim executive director of the North Louisiana Civil Rights Coalition.
+ Deidra Robertson - Black or African-American , 38, Female.
I work for Community Renewal. I am a board member with Noel Community Arts Program and the YWCA.
+ Rebecca Thomas - White, 66, Female, cis gendered.
I have a master's degree in art therapy and a Ph.D. in psychology and some 30 years' clinical experience. I do art therapy groups at Caddo Parish Juvenile Detention, have served on the board of the Philadelphia Center, the Louisiana Art Therapy Association and my neighborhood association.
+ Victor Thomas - Black or African American, 32, Male.
Loving Little Ones Inc. - community outreach director
+ Brittany Turner - White, 37, Female .
Master's degree in public administration and policy, master's degree in library and information science, bachelor's degree in women's studies and art history, graduate-level credits in humanistic/ multicultural education.
+ Judy Williams-White, 71 , Female.
Helped form the black-white communication task force in the '80s, part of Women Discussing Race on Facebook, completed the YWCA Dialogues on Race, NAACP member for many years.
+ Brian Wilson - Black or African American, 37, Male.
Local pastor, lifetime citizen, Master of Divinity in religion from Morehouse School of Religion.
+ Crystalyn Whitaker - Black or African-American, 29, Female.
BS in secondary education.
Educator at Booker T. Washington High (2021 Teacher of the Year)
+ Willie Bradford - Black, Male.
former Shreveport City Council member
+ Rev. Sam Carr-White, Male.
Minister of Word of Life Center.
+ Michael Hicks-Black, male.
Centenary College assistant professor.
+ Omar Ho-Sang - Black. Female.
I work for Black Voters Matter Fund . am also the founder of ASAP Shreveport.
+ Rev. Montreal Whitacker - Black, Male.
Minister of Bethlehem Baptist Church .
THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE June 5 ISSUE OF FOCUS SB- THE INQUISITOR.