Sylvester Marshall

The Social Circle of Louisiana, LLC The Social Circle of Louisiana (SCL) was founded by Sylvester Marshall. In 2017, he noticed that quality events catering to diverse young professionals in his hometown were almost non-existent. With his penchant for entrepreneurship and a passion for people, he answered the call by creating the Social Circle of Louisiana. The Social Circle of Louisiana’s professional team has demonstrated the ability to successfully plan, produce and manage events for organizations in the business and public sectors with varying budgets and needs. They are equipped to produce events in Shreveport, Baton Rouge, New Orleans and throughout the state. SCL’s core beliefs center around creativity and supporting Shreveport’s social, intellectual and financial abundance. These beliefs are backed by how SCL curates and executes events, supports community outreach and contributes to the economy by supporting local and small businesses.

Justin Palmer and Terrell Hall

PHD Homes, LLC PHD Homes (PHD), a veteran-owned business, has quickly become one of northwest Louisiana’s most reliable and sought-after construction companies. The owners, Justin Palmer and Terrell Hall, work closely with their team to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget. One central goal is to exceed their client’s expectations and create lasting relationships based on trust and integrity. PHD provides a wide range of construction services, including custom home building, home renovations and commercial construction. From the initial design phase to the final touches, PHD is dedicated to delivering exceptional craftsmanship. As the company continues to grow, PHD remains committed to its core values of quality, transparency and innovation while striving to stay at the forefront of industry trends and technologies. With experienced leadership and a talented team, PHD is poised for continued success and growth for years to come.

LaToya Phelps-Amos

POWERR Management Group, LLC Since 2013, LaToya Amos has been positioned as a rising community pillar, mentor and resource to professionals and other aspiring entrepreneurs. In 2017, LaToya pivoted her career from e-commerce into financial services as a licensed independent agent by helping families, private sector professionals and small business owners with financial protection and investment strategies. As a proud founder of POWERR Management Group (PMG), LLC, LaToya has been providing these same services since March 2022. PMG offers small Business Development training and asset management by expanding financial literacy through seminars, professional development training and small business mentoring. PMG provides financial services, life, health and supplemental benefits to employees and employers alike. To ensure economic and professional success, PMG added additional services requested by clients to aid in their continued financial and professional development through financial literacy, business consulting, financial planning, and development courses and workshops.

Mavice Hughes Thigpen

Eddie’s Seafood & Soul Food Restaurant Mavice Hughes Thigpen is a lifelong Shreveport, La., resident and owns Eddie’s Restaurant, a small minority business. Mavice worked several years in the Caddo Parish Administration Office and diligently served and recently retired from the United States Federal Court with over 20 years of dedicated service.

Eddie’s Restaurant opened in July 1978. This year, the historic restaurant will celebrate an incredible milestone: 45 years of serving delicious food with impeccable Southern hospitality. Eddie’s Restaurant appeared on the Food Network’s “Restaurant Impossible” with world-class Chef Robert Irvine. Because of this tremendous honor and exposure, Eddie’s is now internationally known. Thigpen’s delicious dishes and chef skills have also provided opportunities on numerous occasions to be a culinary consultant, caterer and contributor in various literary magazines and publications.