Bossier Youth Leadership Program

04/24/2026

04/24/2026

Our April session was all
about economic development and how our community benefits from each business that we visited. Our students had the opportunity to visit and learn about the many things that are made at Louisiana Association for the Blind. From making copy paper to fancy screens for the Military, as well as employing our visually Impaired citizens. From there we made a stop SporTran Transit. Learning how public transit plays a vital role in connecting people to jobs, education and essential services. Our last stop was an amazing tour of our very own AMAZON. Being one of the top facilities in AMAZONS locations across the world, Shreveport plays a major part in being a testing hub for new and upcoming AMAZON facilities nationwide. It is a big economic driver right here in our back yard. Over all, students learned how different Industries play a vital role in building and continuing to make our economy strong.

03/18/2026

Our BYL class made its way down to Baton Rouge for Capitol Day. A special thank
You to Senator Adam Bass, Senator Thomas Presley, Senator Allen Seabaugh, Senator Sam Jenkins Representative Dennis Bamburg, Representative Raymond Crews, Representative Michael Melerine, Representative Tammy, Phelps and Representative Dodie Horton for your support and welcoming us to the House and Senate floors. A special thank you to Representative Steven Jackson for sponsoring our lunch. The students were able to get an inside look at how things are done inside the Capitol during session and had a great Q&A with several of our local legislators. Weather was beautiful for a day in Baton Rouge.

03/17/2026

Capitol Day in Baton Rouge.

02/27/2026

Our February session was all about Healthcare and safety. Our students had the opportunity to hear from our sponsor Willis-Knighton Medical Center. They experienced what it’s like to be behind the wheel under the influence. They then heard from some medical professionals about heart health and other medical issues and how to detect them. While at the WK Innovation Center, they toured the training center that shows some real life examples and how to handle those. Thank you Willis Knighton Health for hosting our group.

01/22/2026

February session was all about quality of life. We have some very good venues and things to do here in our community. Our BYL students had the opportunity to get a back stage view of some! We toured the Strand theater and walked the halls of some famous actors. Then headed down the street to The Robinson Film Center for a tour and watched a short film directored by a local Bossier parish student. We ended our day with a history lesson and a scavenger hunt at the Bossier Parish library. Quality of Life in Bossier/Shreveport is there you just need to seek somethings out!

12/09/2025

Decembers session was all about social services. The students were able to learn a lot about the homeless population as well as how our local non-profits service these individuals needs. We visited and toured The Providence House, and The Lovewell Center, an affiliate of The Hub Ministry. We also heard from CADA regarding the drug issues one might have. We then made a stop at The Hope House where we made a donation of needed items. We also visited The Salvation Army of Northwest Louisiana where the students gave a  monetary donation and helped organize the Angel Tree toy drive. This months session showed us all how we can give back to our community and help those in need.

11/19/2025

This months BYL session was all about Technology. Students visited Louisiana Tech Research Institute to learn about cyber security and took part in their own Cyber security activity. From their they visited Bossier Parish Community College to explore their Cyber security program and also get an overview of their CAMET program. We ended the day at STRIKEWERX hub and innovation lab. Students got to hear and see some of the projects that STRIKEWERX does in partnership with Barksdale Airforce Base.

10/22/2025

Today was all about local government. Our BYL students started at the Bossier City complex and heard from Carlotta Askew-Brown, Executive Director of Bossier City–Parish MPC, Amanda Nottingham, Chief Administrative Officer; Louis Johnson, Public Information Officer; City Council Members Cliff Smith and Chris Smith and Bossier City Marshal, Jim Whitman on how Bossier City government works and why it is important to have a voice in your community. From there they entered into the city court where they heard several cases and how the court system works, lead by Judge Santi Parks.

We then made the way north to Bossier Parish Sheriff’s training facility. Captain Matt Gaydos and other deputies gave some insite on what it is like to be a deputy and how to be come one.
They got to see the drome demonstration and a little action from the K-9 dog.

It is important that we continue investing in our youth. Because by doing so we are investing in tomorrow’s future. Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office MPC Bossier City Tommy Chandler Bossier City Mayor

09/18/2025

Yesterday our BYL students took part in our Education session. Thank you to Bossier Schools for putting together such a fun and exciting learning experience for the students. We started off at the central office learning the ropes about what our administration does daily to keep our schools top notch. We then headed to Plain Dealing K-12th school and had an amazing time interacting with the elementary students. We ended our day hearing from some local school board members on what it takes to become a board member and how important it is for each district to have a representation. They took part in their own mock school board meeting where they even voted on their school board members and president. We hope that one day these amazing students will return back to Bossier Parish after college and give back to their community as Bossier schools have given back to them. Bossier Chamber of Commerce

08/26/2025

Look... A chance to win FREE Pizza for a year!