SHREVEPORT, La. — The Greater Shreveport Chamber and Caddo Parish Public Schools recognized 41 high school juniors as graduates of the 2025-2026 Greater Shreveport Youth Leadership Program during a ceremony held April 29 at the Shreveport Club.
The yearlong program, a partnership between the Chamber and the school district, is designed to prepare students from across Caddo Parish for future leadership roles in business and the community. Support for the initiative includes contributions from the Alliance for Education, the Greater Shreveport Chamber Foundation and several corporate sponsors.
“Caddo Parish Public Schools is proud to partner with the Greater Shreveport Chamber on the Youth Leadership Program,” said Superintendent Keith Burton. “These students gained firsthand knowledge of what makes our community thrive and the role they can play in shaping its future. The experiences and connections they’ve built through this program will empower them to make a lasting impact right here in Caddo Parish.”
The Chamber has operated its adult Leadership Program since 1977, with the youth program extending that model to high school students. Running from September through May, the program includes nine daylong sessions focused on leadership development, civic engagement and career exposure.
Participants take part in activities such as leadership training, community history sessions, meetings with local government officials and behind-the-scenes visits to media organizations and healthcare facilities. The program also includes a trip to Baton Rouge, where students meet with state legislators and observe the legislative process.
“Our young people are the foundation of this community’s future, and their potential is extraordinary,” said Chamber President Tim Magner. “This program opens their eyes to everything Shreveport and Caddo Parish have to offer and inspires them to see themselves not just as residents, but as active builders of what comes next.”
Students selected for the program are nominated by school and district leadership, representing high schools across Caddo Parish.