Latest news with #SocialCon
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- 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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.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
03-06-2025
- 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
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Shreveport event explores surviving social media with your mental health
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)—Social media has changed how we connect in daily life and even the workplace. Today, many define success through social media, but it also comes with a mental health cost. Recognizing the symptoms of hyperfunctioning depression in women Social Con is a local event that is sparking real conversations about the reality of social media. From highlight reels to instant viral fame, social media is a blueprint for life for some, but Kalli Combs, owner of Social Con, says people often only see part of reality. She says social media's impact on mental health is important, and sometimes, that requires taking a break. 'Things that have been working for me, that I've found that works with my mental health, because we all need to step away sometimes, you cannot as a human being involve yourself in negativity or anything that may be conducive to your spirit all the time,' said Combs Combs says comparing culture online can lead to false realities and unrealistic expectations. Proposed bill in Texas would prohibit minors from using social media. Learn tips for managing child's online activity 'You see people that you know, they may have nice cars or they may have money… But you don't know that they're renting that… So all you see is what's in front of you,' said Combs. That's why she urges parents to stay aware of what their kids consume and shares what works for her family. 'When we're in the car driving, I'm listening… or leaving the door open and listening to what he's watching on TV, so we can further advocate,' said Combs. Former U.S. Surgeon General Doctor Vivek Murthy says to be aware of mimicking what you see on social media. Mental health facility opens in Northeast Texast to help patients in crisis 'What I worry about, for young people in particular, is the impact that technology is having on their social connection. We tend to think, 'Oh. Kids are on social media. That's great because they're connected to one another.' But, no, we have to recognize there's a difference between the connections you have online and the connections you have in person. And as more relationships are shifted online, we're realizing that, number one, more kids are struggling with this intense culture of self-comparison online, which is shredding their self-esteem.' Murthy. At the end of the day, Combs says the realest thing we can do is to be transparent. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Social media trolls can't dim Leona Gray's shine as she preps for SocialCon 2025
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – In the digital age, many people take pride in being 'multihyphenates,' individuals with multiple professions and skills. This is very true of Shreveport Police Corporal Leona Gray. You may have seen Gray with other officers securing the perimeter of events, ensuring safety, interacting with community members at SPD events, or perhaps as one of the faces of the department's recruiting campaign, which caused some controversy and will be covered later. Or still, perhaps you're one of her dance fitness students, hired her as a DJ, photographer or maybe she's been helping you fix your life like Iyanla. SocialCon ambassadors seek to learn, inspire at upcoming event However, you became familiar with Leona Gray; she's now adding 'SocialCon ambassador' to her list of accomplishments. Gray is joining a host of local content creators and national influencers for the upcoming digital marketing and networking event and says showing up in every space as her authentic self is what opened the door for this moment and her rapidly growing social media presence. 'Showing up authentically is key. Building community is key. And it's not about like, how many followers you have. It's about actually building relationships with people that support you. And that's where the movement starts,' Gray said. But no movement is without detractors, and when the Shreveport Police Department started rolling out its recent recruitment campaign, some social media users saw it as a time to regurgitate negative commentary and outdated racist tropes about Gray's appearance. According to those who believe job performance and professionalism are direct products of hairstyling, Gray's neatly woven, braided locs and tight fade are unbecoming of a police officer, even though she has risen through the ranks to become corporal. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Shreveport media personality ready to share digital talents, expert insights at SocialCon While the negative voices were loud, the support was even louder, and reluctantly, Gray released a video on her social media platforms detailing who she is and why closed minds and negativity will not detour her path or purpose. She said her faith is what got her through the ugly rhetoric. 'Truth moment, I pray. It's easier said than done because sometimes you do want to clap back. But that's not. That's not who I am. And so I think the biggest thing is having, a solid foundation in who you are and in Christ, not to sound, you know, but that that's true,' Gray said. 'You have to have that and that, that that is what brings me through is prayer and going and meditating and knowing that, hey, listen, I know who I am and listen, they talked about Jesus. So, who am I? That's the biggest thing for me.' What the online haters and trolls sought to diminish is her superpower: 'For me, purpose is everything. And I do my best to show up in any capacity. With that in mind, that this is my purpose. And I truly want to help people become the best selves, inside and out. That's that's from fitness life coaching. And my media business. All of that ties into, my passion for purpose and people.' On June 7, 2025, at the inaugural SocialCon, Gray and other like-minded creators, digital marketers, influencers, lookers, lurkers, and fans will gather in downtown Shreveport at the Eleven Events Center to interlock their collective passions and purposes for a day of sharing and preparation for growth. Content creators, influencers, small businesses don't miss SocialCon 2025 'With SocialCon, people will have access to the leaders who know how this works. They'll have the tools that they need to get started. Once they leave, and I think that the biggest thing is just being in the room with like-minded people, is a huge, huge thing with us. We need that.' For Gray, success on social media resembles self-awareness. As many who achieve rapid social media success have learned, burnout can come quickly as content consumption increases. But for those who create from the heart and share glimpses of their authentic selves, success soon follows. 'The real secret is truly showing up as your authentic self, because sometimes we get so caught up with the algorithm in the trends. Not realizing that people are looking to connect with the actual person, not the product,' Gray said. Tickets, information on featured speakers, and award nominees can be found on The full interview with Leona Gray can be viewed on the KTAL News YouTube channel. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
East Texas Comic Con: celebrities, autographs, and cosplay contests in Longview
LONGVIEW, Texas (KTAL/KMSS) — For years, local fans of comics, anime, and nerd culture in general had few places to go. The East Texas Comic Con in Longview is one of them. Shreveport's Geek'd Con returns, what you need to know The event will feature autograph sessions and meet-and-greets with celebrities from the world of voice acting, horror movies, professional wrestling, and more. SocialCon ambassadors seek to learn, inspire at upcoming event Patrons can participate in anything from board games and trading card games to video game tournaments, or walk across the cosplay stage for a chance at prizes and photo ops. East Texas Comic Con is on June 28 and 29 at the Longview Exhibit Center. More guests and an official schedule will be announced soon. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
