We had the good fortune of connecting with Darien Willis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Darien, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process was to make more of an impact for the culture. I felt that establishing a platform for others to give people more information about positive innovations instead of validating the negative stereotypes about people of color. The creation of (SocialGoats) and purpose is Socially Getting Others Aware Today Successfully.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m employed for the State of Louisiana as a Child Welfare Specialist III currently and I have been working for the state of Louisiana for 11 years and prior to that i worked for the State of Texas for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as a parole officer for 6 years. The road has been very challenging because a lot of what i have learned in life i had to learn on my own. My support system has been my lifeline especially my children, my closest friends, and my family. I’m learning to be more patient, understanding, and optimistic. I want the world to know that I love God and my greatest joy in life is being a father. SocialGoats has motivated me to be a better man and to appreciate the small victories that life has afforded me. I want the world to like, follow, subscribe, share all of our content with SocialGoats Inc and SocialGoats Media LLC. We are better together!! We all we got!! Our goal is to change the GAME not the NARRATIVE!!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
10/10 Bar and Lounge
203 Texas St, Shreveport, La
-offers an experience that goes far beyond drinking. This is an upscale lounge that features one of the best chefs in the city. The vibe, food, drinks, music and customer service is outstanding. The optics is amazing. Going to brunch at this location on Saturday’s is the place to be!!

Words Over Lattes
618 Commerce St, Shreveport La
-this is a weekly event that takes place every Monday in downtown Shreveport. It’s a night of live music, poetry, laughter, and fun that includes various artists, performers, musicians, comedians, and poets.

Orlandeaux’s Cross Lake Cafe
5301 S. Lakeshore Dr, Shreveport, La
-original Louisiana creole cuisine that dates back from 1921 to current that originates with a storied legacy from family generations. Iconic, storied spot providing Louisiana Creole seafood & Southern comfort foods in comfy surrounds. People visit this restaurant from all over the United States. It’s a family owned business and it has been passed down five generations. This is one of the oldest African American ran restaurants in Shreveport that has been running for over 103 years.

Louisiana Daiquiri Cafe
1881 Texas Ave, Shreveport, LA
Full-service bar serving daiquiris, margaritas, and other cocktails in a renovated historic building.

Louisiana Smoke House Highland
301 E. Kings Hwy, Shreveport La
Premier BBQ establishment
#nothingbbqcantfix
#louisianasmokehousehighland

Hoodbachi Taco
1704 Kings Hwy, Shreveport, La
Ain’t no taco like a Hoodbachi Taco — PERIOD. We’re servin’ up flavor so loud, you gon’ taste it before it hit your plate! From the first bite to the last drip of sauce on your fingers, it’s all LOVE, LOUD, and LIT.

Clean Slate Botanicals
4832 Line Avenue, Shreveport, La
This is plant based skincare and fragrance company that offers a range of natural products including candles, room sprays, and skincare items. This company also provides a candle pouring experience where customers can create their own candles.

Uptown Bar and Lounge and Kourtyard
1605 Marshall St, Shreveport, La
Upscale experience for the classy and professional.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Stromile Swift retired NBA basketball player; Jeff Pellum of Takeover TV; Garrett Sudds of Dream Big or Live Small. BJ Tisby, Quantas James, and most importantly our team consisting of Catrice Harp, Bruce Metcalf, Kenisha Boyd, Kavin Pitre, and Adrienne Terrell and many more that has been apart of this journey. The road has been tough and this village has been essential and vital to the development and growth of this company.

Website: https://www.socialgoats.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/channel/AbaWoVrJQdr8fi_p/?igsh=MWV6ZG0zdGdmdncyNw==

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/socialgoats-inc-55b523b8?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Twitter: https://x.com/socialgoats2017?s=21&t=Rsh_IBc7Jc_s-hRVc1slTw

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CAyi5WUSr/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@socialgoatsinc?si=4wjItbQA9ogoWmzo

Image Credits
Carlton Harp IV
Atom Kane
Stephanie Ball

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.