Tackling Blight Together: Shreveport's Collaborative Journey with Bloomberg Harvard

As part of the City of Shreveport’s participation in the prestigious Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, a diverse coalition of community leaders came together in December 2024 to confront one of the city’s most persistent challenges: Blight. 

This initial convening—held at the historic Municipal Auditorium—brought together leaders from across Shreveport’s business, faith-based, nonprofit, and government sectors. Over the course of a focused four-hour working session, participants shared critical insights, helped shape strategic priorities, and ensured that the initiative reflected the real needs and aspirations of Shreveport residents. 

From this larger group, a core executive team of seven was selected to lead the effort. Their mission: to work closely with Harvard staff on a weekly basis to develop tools and frameworks that would empower the community to identify and address the root causes of blight. Importantly, this team was not tasked with prescribing solutions, but rather with amplifying community voices, fostering collaboration, and laying the groundwork for long-term transformation. 

This work is ongoing and deeply rooted in community engagement, including surveys, neighborhood meetings, and collaborative planning sessions. The initiative—now known as Block By Block—is designed to evolve with input from residents, stakeholders, and local organizations.

Key Timeline of Program Milestones

• Nov. 2024: Mayor Arceneaux and cross-sector team begin work in the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative’s track on Cross-Boundary Collaboration.
• Dec. 2024: Initial convening and strategy session at the municipal auditorium in December 2024.
• Jan. 2025: Establishment of the core executive team that met each week to discuss strategies to uncover root causes and enhance community involvement.
• April 2025: The executive team attends an intensive week-long workshop at Harvard University in Cambridge.
• May 2025: The executive team meets with various key leaders, including the Shreveport City Council, Caddo Parish and service organizations to present the the roll out of community involvement and to receive feedback.
• June 2025: The executive team schedules 11 neighborhood clean-ups called “Clean Sweeps” click for schedule beginning in Highland and Mooretown.
• Ongoing: Over the next months and years, the city will continue to roll out Block By Block in various neighborhoods.