MEET THE SHREVEPORT COMMUNITY LEADERS APPOINTED TO ADDRESS BLIGHT

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux kicked off his Block By Block Initiative at a press conference this morning.

This program is the result of an intensive planning and leadership effort led by a team of seven city and community leaders selected by Mayor Arceneaux to participate in the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative.

To supplement and expand the efforts of this team Mayor Arceneaux appointed a working group of 25 cross-sector leaders to work with this executive team. This group has been meeting to develop a more coordinated and effective strategy to address blight in Shreveport.

The Block by Block Initiative focuses on targeting resources in high-need areas--one block at time--rather than spreading efforts too thin. Each neighborhood will have a tailored improvement plan, with a full lifecycle tracking system for property standards violations, abatements, legal actions, demolitions, and redevelopment status. Residents will play an essential role in helping to identify priorities, report issues, and support neighborhood transformation.

The list of community leaders does not include elected officials who often limit their input to their constituents. Additionally, the political agenda of these persons would likely unduly influence/dominate the decision-making process of the group. Here is the list:

• Clarence Reese – Fire Chief
• Lauren Jones – Shreveport Green
• Olivia Dossett - Fairfield Property Management – Managing Partner
• Cedric Glover – Downtown Development Authority
• Bobby Collins – Housing Authority of the City of Shreveport
• Vita Riner – 318 Latino
• Wendy Benscoter – Shreveport Common
• Wendell Delaney – Retired SPD, Community Activist
• Toya Graham – Beaird Foundation
• Aubra J. Gantt – SUSLA
• Calvin Ben Lester – Grace Project
• Rev. Grant Rose – Paster Springs of Grace
• Meagan McDuffy – Shreveport Bossier African American Chamber of Commerce
• Tim Magner – Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce
• Diane Libro – Catholic Charities
• Curtis Joseph – Attorney, Blanchard Walker O’Quin & Roberts
• Africa Price – Director of Government Relations
• Christopher Holoman – President of Centenary
• Marcus Edwards – City Attorney (executive team of 7)
• Verni Howard – Community Development (executive team of 7) (formerly Providence House)
• Bill Sabo – Economic Development (executive team of 7)
• Thea Scott – Community Development (executive team of 7)
• Kristi Gustavson – Community Foundation of North Louisiana (executive team of 7)
• Terrence Green – Property Standards (executive team of 7)
• Rev. Theron Jackson – Pastor, Morning Star Baptist Church (executive team of 7)

This group is to be commended for giving their time and input in the Block by Block Initiative. This well qualified group will be instrumental in the success of this initiative.