Following a successful inaugural lecture in November, the free “Shreveport Forward” lecture series will return on Saturday, December 14th, from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the Whited Room at Bynum Commons on the Centenary College campus. The lecture series, independently produced by Professor Thomas Moran, is focused on empowering residents to guide Shreveport’s future in a new direction.
In the first event in November, participants examined the city’s past and present to begin identifying how Shreveport’s strengths can be reframed to create a cohesive civic identity. With these strengths in mind, attendees identified many of Shreveport’s existing resources, values, and potential priorities that could serve as tools to strengthen the community’s foundation.
The second lecture will build on that foundation. During the December 14th event, attendees will explore the concept of “Creating a Sense of Place” and begin to identify the city’s “North Stars” — guiding principles that provide clarity in decision-making in areas such as infrastructure investment, neighborhood revitalization, as well as cultural recognition, preservation, and development.
“Shreveport has a rich story waiting to be told, and we all have the power to write its next chapter,” said Professor Thomas Moran, who leads the series. “Identifying strong North Stars and sticking to them will be crucial in our effort to revitalize the city and turn around the problems of population loss, lagging tax revenue, and other ailments. By understanding how to ‘create Place,’ we can shape a city that aligns with our values and aspirations—one that supports strong neighborhoods, flourishing businesses, and the cultural vitality that makes life here worth celebrating.”
As the series continues monthly, participants will gain insight into not only identifying North Stars, but how to use them to drive practical decisions and policies. By engaging with fellow community members—residents, business owners, civic leaders, and students alike—attendees will contribute to a unified vision rooted in shared values, historical awareness, and a willingness to make thoughtful, forward-looking choices.
Don’t miss this opportunity to help chart Shreveport’s course. Join us on December 14 at Centenary College’s Whited Room and contribute your voice to a conversation that could shape the city’s trajectory for decades to come.