The 2nd Annual State of Black Shreveport Symposium and Economic Summit ended with a round table discussion about various issues in the African American community, as well as ways to improve them. Those in attendance hope local leaders will implement the ideas generated. Local NAACP President Lloyd Thompson says his organization was a summit sponsor. He says there was the creation of a new "Black Agenda."

"Well, the point is that they come up with an agenda to help the black community plan on some things that we need to do to try and help do things for ourselves and help save our young black men and women in our community," Thompson said.

Things discussed were the Black Church, political leadership, healthcare reform along with education. Panelist Dr. R Timothy Jones spoke on problems with education in the African American community. He expressed a belief that education will improve once specific learning needs of children are addressed.

"I personally believe you have to first learn the child and then teach the child according to the child's learning capacity, according to how that child is wired," Jones said.

Jones also emphasized the need for proper educational resources and fairness for young African Americans. Summit organizers say a teen entrepreneur summit will be held later this spring.