Shreveport Black History Icons: Recent Episodes
Jay Michaels
CUMULUS MEDIA Shreveport is celebrating Black History Month by celebrating and honoring Black Icons from the ArkLaTex.
Raymond Hill, the successful CEO of Thermo-Technics in Shreveport and a licensed contractor since 1983, said he’s a successful black businessman because he has the mindset and skills to succeed.
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Jacqueline Scott, Attorney at Law, is “a force to be reckoned with.” The firm has several legal departments, each handling varied cases and staffed by attorneys experienced in those areas. Ms. Scott combines her 20 years experience, modern technology, and her staff with a combined experience of 75 years to fight the cause for justice.
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Katrina O. Boden is the owner of Superior Counseling Services, LLC. SCS, LLC is an accredited behavioral health rehabilitation agency with locations in Shreveport, Ruston, and Farmerville, LA.
Katrina is also the owner of Superior Business Services, LLC and Business Innovators, LLC both located in Shreveport, LA. Superior Business Services provides administrative services and training for businesses and their staff. She established Business Innovators as a means to mentor professionals and invest in business start-ups and systems for success.
She is not only a native of Grambling, Louisiana but is a proud graduate of Grambling State University with both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Elementary Education.
She is also the founder and executive director of a non-profit organization called Education International. Ms. Boden has also earned a Black Belt degree in Martial Arts and has been a member and teacher of several dance groups. She currently resides in Shreveport, LA.
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Damian “Grave Digga” Harris, a Monroe native, stumbled upon Mass Communications and made a decision in the 90’s that would change his life forever. Harris earned the moniker, “Grave Digga” because during his early years, in radio, he worked the overnight shift. The name was catchy and it didn’t take long before it became one of the most popular names on Monroe Radio.
He started at KYEA in 1995 before transitioning to 100.1 The Beat in 1996. By 1997 he also earned the opportunity to work briefly at KNOE. Another major opportunity presented itself to work in Shreveport, North Louisiana’s largest market. In latter 1997, he accepted an on-air position at KMJJ, the largest urban station in North Louisiana. He found himself growing as a radio personality and as a man. He was featured in The Source Magazine, the largest Urban Culture Magazine in the world in the 90’s, but he was also featured in The Ozone.
“Grave”, as he is commonly called, cultivated a bond with the North Louisiana African-American Community as a spokesperson at various community events and charity functions, as well as Christian events at many churches. He discovered a new passion, giving back to his community, and used radio as the medium to help build a social bridge throughout the city.
A product of Full Sail University, the nation’s most successful film and audio institute, he earned the opportunity to work with the legendary Bruce Swedien. Grave eventually earned certification to be a licensed Audio Engineer.
He has worked with Snoop Dogg, Lil’ Wayne, Rick Ross, Lil’ Flip, Mike Jones, David Banner, and many more of the world’s top Hip-Hop and R&B artists. His name and reputation have formed a pathway to the Urban Monroe Community. His reputation on air helped build a local event base, throwing the city’s most consistent urban event for more than 10 years. He began Cirocmas, his annual holiday party, in 2011. The event is always one of the most anticipated events of the year.
Radio prepared Grave for business. In 2013, he began, Digga Man Lawn Care. For over a decade, his lawn business has served some of Monroe’s top corporate businesses along with hundreds of private properties.
If you asked Grave what his greatest responsibility is, he wouldn’t say Radio or any of his businesses. He would tell you his pride is his wife, ‘the best decision he has ever made’ and according to him, his greatest responsibility is his family, daughters Bre’Anna, Noel & Kennadi. And his son Tarian. He believes being a father is the greatest gift God could have ever given.
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Velma is a mother of three, entrepreneur, advocate, and personal life coach. She brings more than 30 years experience as a business owner, 10 years as a global humanitarian (IGOcares.org) along with 11 years as a coach. A graduate of Louisiana Tech University, Velma is currently a Certified Professional Life Coach through inviteCHANGE, Academy for Coach Training and an Associate Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation.
In the spirit of partnership, Velma works with individuals who are ready, willing, and looking for change, whether it's personal or professional. By tapping into the true essence of her clients, she brings a Spiritual understanding to the process of pursuing goals, fulfilling dreams, discovering life purpose, and making life transitions.
Contact Velma to learn more about how she can partner with you in identifying tools and resources that will help you break free from limitations of the past and begin to explore your future with greater Intention.
Email vjeantarver@aol.com or call 318-425-3351.
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Alonzo was born and raised in Shreveport, LA. He is a lifelong member of Lane Chapel CME. Alonzo attended and graduated from Huntington High School in 2005 and went on to further his education at the University of Louisiana at Monroe where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Sociology in 2009.
Alonzo pursued his legal studies at Southern University Law Center in 2014. He also received his Masters in Public Administration at Southern University Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy in 2015. While attending law school, Alonzo was a member of the Black Law Students Association, served as Vice President of the Sports and Entertainment Law Association, and was 3L Class President.
After completing law school, Alonzo had the honor of being an associate at Washington and Wells Law Firm where he began practicing several areas of law, but primarily focusing on Criminal Defense, Personal Injury, and Family Law.
Alonzo also spent time as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Shreveport. He served as legal counsel for Shreveport Police and Fire Departments, as well as Shreveport Parks and Recreation.
In addition to his private practice, he is currently employed as a contract attorney with the Caddo Parish Public Defender’s Office. Alonzo has a passion for helping others and provides compassionate, professional, and effective legal representation. His primary focus is helping people who do not have a voice of their own and making a difference in the lives of those who need help the most.
In his spare time, Jackson Jr. enjoys attending sporting events, traveling, and indulging in a good game of dominoes. Alonzo plans to continue to grow his firm and continue to fight for the justice that his clients deserve. He credits his recent professional success to his loving parents, the late Alonzo P. Jackson Sr. and Anita Jackson, his sister, Chelsa, and his wife, Kenitra Jackson.
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Brent Latin is the President/CEO of Young Professionals Entertainment (YPE), a Media, Marketing, and Entertainment company located in Shreveport, Louisiana. The company also functions as a professional recording studio where many local and regional artists record.
Brent started early on his path of business and entrepreneurship. His initial business venture began at the age of 7 when he started his comic book series "Power Man". He even paid a fellow classmate ten dollars to do the illustrations. His second venture came at age 12 when he recorded his sister's basketball games and sold the VHS tapes to the parents while employing his little brother as an extra cameraman. As a high school junior in 2006, YPE was formed and officially established as a corporation in 2008.
A talented musician that plays several instruments, Brent has performed with various artists from across the country. In 2013, YPE was named Small Business of the Year by the Shreveport-Bossier African American Chamber of Commerce. In 2015, Brent was inducted into the ninth class of 40 Under 40 which is Young Professionals Initiative of Northwest Louisiana top 40 professionals under the age of 40. In 2019, YPE was chosen as one of the top small businesses in the greater Shreveport area by the 318 Forum and Greater Shreveport Chamber. Brent has served on many
prestigious boards in his community and continues to serve.
In 2011, Brent received a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Louisiana Tech University and is a member of the 2007 class of C.E. Byrd High School. He is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity. In May 2013 Brent married Jessica Latin and became a father to his son, Alexander in February 2014, and his daughter Bella in 2018.
He enjoys traveling, fellowshipping with friends and family, and participating in sports. Brent believes, “Loving God, Loving Yourself, and Loving People”, creates the recipe to enjoying life.
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