Latest news with #SocialCon2025
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Shreveport to host first ever social media conference
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Shreveport is stepping into the digital spotlight with the launch of SocialCon, the city's first-ever social media conference. The event is set to take place on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Eleven Events on Texas Avenue. SocialCon is designed to empower creators, entrepreneurs, and digital professionals across the Ark-La-Tex. The event will feature leading voices in the world of social media, hands-on workshops, and a vibrant vendor showcase—all centered on giving local talent the tools to succeed online. Social media trolls can't dim Leona Gray's shine as she preps for SocialCon 2025 Founded by Shreveport natives and creative couple Kalli and Ryan Combs, SocialCon reflects a deep belief in the potential of Shreveport's creator community. The event is more than a conference, it's a movement to position Shreveport as a hub for innovation and digital culture. Attendees can expect immersive experiences that explore content strategy, branding, and the latest trends in digital marketing. SocialCon will be held at Eleven Events, 1529 Texas Avenue. To learn more or to purchase tickets, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Learn the ins and outs of viral success at upcoming SocialCon
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Mastering social media is not easy. Still, an upcoming event in downtown Shreveport promises to help guide social media users and teach them how to increase their business or monetize their platforms. SocialCon 2025 is on June 7 at the Eleven Events Center and is the first of its kind digital marketing and networking event in the ArkLaTex. Dezerra Wesley, also known as Shreveport's Sunshine to her Facebook followers, was selected to join a list of notable individuals locally and nationally, helping to highlight and promote the event. While her journey to becoming a digital marketing master is like a fairy tale, it was born out of necessity. Social media trolls can't dim Leona Gray's shine as she preps for SocialCon 2025 'I was working at a coffee shop and, took over the responsibilities of all the social media for that coffee shop, and, I got good at it,' Wesley said. People used to always be like, oh, does this. Who does this? Who made that? Who does this? And I'd be like, it's me, guys. It it's me. I'm like, wow. And once people started learning that, it was always, you know, can you help me? Can you help me? And at the time when I was doing it, I didn't think much of it. Wesley said the growth she helped contribute to at the coffee shop led to her business, which now involves training and consulting others who want to understand the art of digital marketing better. In a place like Shreveport, where word of mouth is still the go-to way to promote your business, little Miss Sunshine was forging a new path for herself and others by creating a social media manager position that had not existed before. That is the case with the multibillion-dollar digital content creator space. Someone has to be willing to create something that did not exist the day before. She said the keys are consistency and trial and error, and notes that if you never start, you'll never know what online success awaits you. Shreveport media personality ready to share digital talents, expert insights at SocialCon 'You just have to be consistent. I don't think there's any bigger tip than being consistent. Post the video. It isn't. Your first one might get 50 views, but but by the 10th time you're working with something, you just have to do it. And I think a lot of times people wait until like, oh, I'm not that good. I don't really, I don't I don't really take that great of pictures. I don't it it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter because you can't go viral like people want to. If you never post anything.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Louisiana woman earns master's degree at 54 despite being blind
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — One woman from Bossier City demonstrates that with support, anything is possible. Three-time U.S. Olympian earns new title, graduates from LSUS LaShawn Benita Harley-Hill, who is blind, recently earned her master's degree from Louisiana State University in Shreveport at the age of 54. Hill earned a degree in counseling, a success she attributes to her support system. 'It felt really amazing,' said Hill. 'It was an amazing feeling to know that all of my classmates were looking for me at graduation, and I got big hugs from classmates and LSUS staff. I got home that day, took my makeup off and just cried.' Prior to graduation, things seemed to be an uphill battle for the LSUS graduate. Hill cried every day for a month after she went completely blind in January 2017. She felt like a burden because she couldn't drive and depended on others. 'My husband Columbus told me it's OK, it's not the end of the world, and that people go through what they go through. Just ask God for help, and we're going to get through this.' Social media trolls can't dim Leona Gray's shine as she preps for SocialCon 2025 Hill has been married to her for nine years. After she lost her vision, he completely reorganized her closet and home so she would know where everything was located. Hill mentioned that her professors were also very understanding and allowed her additional time to complete assignments. Even the librarians assisted her by finding articles for her research topics when she had to write papers. Additionally, a mobility instructor helped Hill locate her classes at the beginning of each semester. 'There were times when I wanted to throw in the towel because there's a lot going on, but I didn't give up,' Harley-Hill said. Thanks to her support and determination, Hill completed her degree with a 3.9 GPA and is set to begin her career as a counselor with Pelican Bayou Counseling in Shreveport. Hill hopes she can inspire everyone and wants people to know that just because things happen in life, you don't have to count yourself out. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
SocialCon ambassadors seek to learn, inspire at upcoming event
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)—The inaugural SocialCon, an event that will bring together local and national influencers to expand the networks and visibility of local content creators, is fast approaching. On June 7, 2025, social media lovers and experts will gather at the Eleven Events Center on Texas Street for the first-ever SocialCon. Two locals tapped to represent N. Louisiana creators as ambassadors for the event are photographer, stylist, and content creator Michael Anthony, and Brittany Ann, who is passionate about her engaging with her community and physical fitness. Content creators, influencers, small businesses don't miss SocialCon 2025 Michael Anthony is a native of Minden but resides in the greater Shreveport area. Brittany Ann is from Mer Rouge, Louisiana, the revelation of which caused an impromptu geography lesson because of its remote location and tiny population. But they both say they are moving in their purpose: to share, guide, and create via social media platforms. Both Michael and Brittany say they were shocked when event organizer Kalli Combs invited them to serve as ambassadors. 'I received the email saying congratulations. You are being asked to be an ambassador for the first SocialCon for 2025, in Shreveport, Louisiana. And of course, I was super excited. I could not resist,' Brittany Ann said. Michael said he was wowed by the invitation: 'When someone pays attention, notices you, and wants you to be part of what they have going on, it was just a wow for me.' Both said that while they are very nervous about the duty of helping Kalli and Ryan Combs set a high bar with the first-ever SocialCon, they are also very excited about the opportunity. Shreveport media personality ready to share digital talents, expert insights at SocialCon 'I really feel that it's needed because there's so much potential with so many great people who are doing content in the area, info to have this space in, you know, it's everything for us, you know, because we don't have this space. We don't have moments like this where we can all come together, you know, just network and collab and, you know, just have fun, you know, and doing what we love to do,' Michael Anthony said. Both creators say authenticity is the key to a successful social media presence. No one wants to become popular behind a caricature of themselves, which will require a 'rebrand' because a lie is not sustainable. Brittany Ann admittedly is 'in love with social media' but says collaboration over competition is the key to maintaining that love and fulfilling her purpose. 'Do not try to do it alone. There's plenty of room for everybody at the top. If we can lock in with somebody, we can always grow together.' You can follow Brittany Ann and Michael Anthonny on Facebook and Instagram to learn more about them or follow their journey. SocialCon 2025 is on Saturday, June 7, at The Eleven Events Center on Texas Street; for tickets or more information, visit their website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Content creators, influencers, small businesses don't miss SocialCon 2025
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – A Shreveport couple is upping the social media game and allowing local creators, digital marketing strategists, and businesses looking to increase their online visibility to network and showcase their offerings. SocialCon 2025 is an event slated for June 2025 and is the brainchild of entrepreneurs Kalli and Ryan Combs. The Combs say SocialCon presents a unique opportunity to Shreveport and the surrounding areas because there isn't another event that will bring local and national content creators together to learn and grow businesses. 'My husband and I have been in the social media world and digital world for a little while for ten years, and as we've been in this space in Shreveport, there has been a scene of tons of content creators and entrepreneurs and influencers that not only want to get into social media more but also have a following and growing a following online,' Kalli Combs said. The couple is firmly grounded in social media. Kalli's background is in digital marketing. Ryan, who his wife manages, has been a content creator for about 10 years. He said his sneaker love caused a pivot in his content. Are you one of Shreveport's TikTok Titans? Social Con Awards calling all creators 'I started off in music, but I've actually just switched over into sneaker, you know, influencing. So now I've always been a sneaker lover, I've been using that space to basically broaden people's ideas of shoes that are less expensive and shoes that are very, very expensive,' Ryan Combs said. Before you turn your nose up at the idea of 'sneaker influence,' creating an 'aspirational lifestyle' is a big business that brings in tens of billions of dollars in influencer marketing, according to Revolt. There are levels of influence one has and a wide variety of ways to convert a love of athletic footwear into direct deposits. When asked why they chose Shreveport over another more 'popping' social media scene like Austin, New Orleans, or even similarly-sized Birmingham, Kalli's response was as expected, 'Why not Shreveport.' 'We have a growing community here. I think with the success of Humor and Harmony and 50 Cent and all the other things that are coming, it's a unique opportunity to align with the movement. Our economy is rapidly, you know, growing. It reminds me back when I was in my twenties and we had the Red River district scene and it was thriving. It was things to do,' Kalli Combs said. 'So I think we're right on the cusp of that again. So we wanted to not only create this space for entrepreneurs and influencers and content creators, but it's a unique opportunity as well to be involved in where the city is going in the future in the digital space.' They are blazing a brand new trail by bringing creators from other areas to network and share experiences and insights with local businesses and creators. 'We're going to be talking about different things and social media, whether it's authentic storytelling, how to build your brand, how to connect with brands and collab with brands online,' Kalli Combs said. They will learn from people who have already seen success and built brands through their social media platforms. Another lesson the couple expects attendees to take away is that creating a brand on social media is NOT EASY. 'Yeah, you know, I'll tell you one thing. Going viral is hard. So it's a lot of work, but it's consistent. It's consistency. That's what I've learned from Kalli, being in social media management. It's a lot of consistency. So a lot of work that you got to put in long nights,' Ryan Combs explained. There's another part of SocialCon that is very exciting – awards submitted by and voted on by online users. Kalli Combs explained, 'We're going to add something called SocialCon Awards, and that is a community-involved award voting where people can vote on different categories and we will announce the winners essential.' More Entertainment News If you know and love an online creator, you should head to the SocialCon awards page on their website and nominate your fave for awards in one of the seven content categories. According to Kalli Combs, nominations are open for any creator as long as they fit the criteria, and like any democratic online award – vote as many times as you like. Kalli and Ryan Combs believe that SocialCon will open the Shreveport creator community up to the more than $20 billion influencer marketplace. 'There's so many opportunities. If you are creative enough and committed to pursuing whatever it is that you love, there's something in that space for you,' Kalli Combs said. If you want to learn about content creation, are a creator looking to expand your network and audience, want to incorporate influencer marketing into your business, or are just curious about what all of this means, visit SocialCon 2025 is set for June 7, 2025, in the 11 Events Building, 1529 Texas Ave., Shreveport. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
