BATON ROUGE, La. — Two Shreveport nonprofit leaders are among eight Louisiana residents selected as 2026 honorees of the Louisiana Blue Foundation’s Angel Award, which recognizes people working to improve the health and well-being of children across the state.
Toccara Huckaby and Kristen Powers, both of Shreveport, were selected for the annual honor. Each Angel Award recipient will choose a local nonprofit to receive a $30,000 grant from the Louisiana Blue Foundation.
Huckaby founded Girls Empowered for More Society, or GEMS, to expand opportunities for girls, including those in group homes and the juvenile justice system. The organization provides hands-on experiences in science, technology, engineering and math, as well as leadership and entrepreneurship.
Powers leads The Arc of Caddo-Bossier, which provides services and opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities from childhood through adulthood. The organization also supports children and families throughout the Shreveport-Bossier region.
“Across Louisiana, there are people who see a need in the lives of children and choose to do something about it,” Louisiana Blue Foundation President Michael Tipton said. “Our 2026 Angels have turned personal experiences and a commitment to their communities into meaningful action. We are honored to recognize the important work they are leading across our state.”
The other 2026 Angel Award honorees are Julia Bourgeois of Sulphur, Tara Detiveaux and Joey Vining of Houma, Terrence Jones of Lafayette, Melanie Richardson of New Orleans and Jordan Tabor of Baton Rouge.
The foundation also selected Desiree Robertson of St. Gabriel as its 2026 Blue Angel, an honor recognizing a Louisiana Blue employee who has made a difference in the lives of children through volunteer service outside of the employee’s professional role.
The Louisiana Blue Foundation will recognize the honorees during a ceremony Oct. 19. The event is scheduled to be streamed live beginning at 6:30 p.m. on the foundation’s Facebook page.
The Angel Award has been presented for 32 years. The Louisiana Blue Foundation, formerly known as the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation, makes grants aimed at improving health outcomes in Louisiana. Since 2020, the foundation has awarded more than $45 million to nonprofits addressing public health, COVID-19 response and natural disasters.