The Shreveport-Bossier area is teeming with talent in the arts and entertainment industry. The Shreveport Times decided to highlight a few people who are dedicated to their profession and to the enhancement of the neighborhood.
Here are the 2025 arts and entertainment leaders to watch.
Wade Marshall
Shreveport-Bossier Film and Entertainment Commissionuh
A Shreveport native and graduate of Centenary College with a degree in composition and music theory, Marshall began his career as a film composer in Los Angeles in 2001. However, the advent of the Shreveport-Bossier film industry after the hurricane Katrina brought him back in 2007 and he joined Millennium Studios where he served as studio executive and unofficial liaison to bring film projects to the region.
As Film and Entertainment Commissioner, Marshall is responsible for growing the film and entertainment industries, creating jobs, stimulating economic growth, attracting large businesses, and promoting the region.
“I try to be a beacon of hope for growth because I know we are capable of it,” Marshall said. “I believe we are all family here and I will always treat our community that way. We can only grow if we join hands and build our region together. Being a leader means you treat others like leaders too .”
Marshall said working with Visit Shreveport-Bossier on creating a film and entertainment commission is something he’s proud of in 2024, and he looks forward to growing the region’s film and entertainment industries with new projects and new attractions for families and nightlife. making Shreveport-Bossier an ever-expanding tourist destination and a location for well-paying careers.
“The time has come to move on to our next chapter,” Marshall said. “Let’s build a community that we’re proud of and call home every day. We have the power to help start this new chapter, so let’s build it together.”
Rodrigo Mondragon
Owner/Chef of Ki’ Mexico
Originally from Mexico City, Rodrigo Mondragon’s love of cooking grew from watching his mother in the kitchen as a child. A shared interest in cooking led Mondragon, his brother and mother to open Ki Mexico Shreveport.
The trendy restaurant specializes in authentic Mexican cuisine, adding something unique to the palates of Shreveport-Bossier diners.
Although Mondragon said it was unexpected to be seen as a leader in the Shreveport-Bossier community, it felt good to set an example for others.
Mondragon said he is excited to travel more with his family and celebrate Ki’ Mexico Shreveport’s 10th anniversary in 2025, while also being proud to expand his business with two more restaurants.
He said that if there is one thing he wishes he could tell the community, it is to trust your instincts when considering an idea, to open your mind to the world and to be just happy in general.
Kip Cummings
Founder/Chairman of the Board of Directors of Surfari Pals
Originally from Bell Gardens, California, a suburb of Los Angeles, Cummings was influenced by a childhood neighbor who taught neighborhood children good character skills and lessons about “doing the right thing” and what means serving others.
“With every opportunity comes equal and often greater responsibility,” Cummings said. “I not only want to do my best, but also encourage others to do the same. I have tried to live by the motto: “What we do speaks so clearly; people don’t need to hear what we say.” I believe that by providing opportunities to others and having a small part of their success, then I will truly succeed in many ways.”
Cummings said he was proud that he and his wife, Jennifer, had the opportunity in 2024 to continue teaching good character qualities using the curriculum from Surfari Paris, their nonprofit, to several hundred of elementary students from North Highland Elementary. He said hearing and seeing the positive results from these exceptional students who put their words into action has been a blessing.
“It gives us hope for a positive future,” he said.
Cummings said he is excited to open his Surfari Salsa Shack in 2025. The business will offer freshly made chips, salsa, queso and guacamole made to order. Proceeds will help fund his nonprofit and create job opportunities in the community he serves.
Follow Ian Robinson on Twitter @_irobinson and on Facebook at https://bit.ly/3vln0w1.