Bossier is home to a growing population of young people doing amazing things. Meet one of the millennials who will soon be taking up a leadership role in the community.

This month’s millennial pro is an entrepreneur and involved community volunteer Emerie Eck Gentry.

1. What do you do and why?

I am currently the Donor Relations Manager for the Bossier Arts Council. My job is to establish and cultivate relationships with businesses that are beneficial to the mission of the Bossier Arts Council. I started volunteering with the Bossier Arts Council about 3 years ago with my focus being on ARTini, our annual fundraising event. After working with them voluntarily for a year, they appreciated the work I had done and offered me a paid position.

In addition to my job at Bossier Arts Council, I successfully own and operate my own public relations, integrated marketing and event planning business called Lagniappe P.R.I.M.E., LLC. I am able to work with local businesses and nonprofits to grow their footprint in our region and beyond and showcase their strengths through effective public relations, creative integrated marketing and engaging events.

As you can see, I wear a lot of career hats and I love it!

2. Why do you live/work in Bossier?

I love that Bossier is progressive. People in Bossier are proud of where they live and work and it makes you want to be a part of it. They encourage change for the betterment of the community as a whole.

3. What is your favorite thing about Bossier?

Bossier is thriving and opportunities are becoming more readily available. And Bossier has room to grow! From farmland to city lights, Bossier has something to offer everyone and more to come!

4. Where do you like to hang out and why?

I like hanging out at festivals and events because you get to meet and mingle with a ton of people! Bossier Arts Council, Flying Heart Brewing and Pub and Margaritaville Resort Casino have events that are always a lot of fun! Sometimes, my friends and I will celebrate happy hour with blue raspberry margaritas at Sundance Cantina in Boomtown (so good). Other times me and my beau will grab dinner and watch sports at Walk-On’s. I’m still trying to learn how to bet on the horses at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs. And who doesn’t love a good concert at the CenturyLink Center?!?!

5. What is your favorite thing to do in Bossier?

When I’m not socializing at events, you can typically find me browsing the aisles of stores, such as Target, Ulta and Ross, because shopping helps me relax. If I’m needing some real down time, I will go to Destiny Day Spa for a massage.

6. What would you like to see Bossier have in the future it doesn’t have now?

Dave and Busters, Top Golf and a finished East Bank District Event Center and Walker Place development.

7. What do you personally want to accomplish in the future?

That is a tough question because there are a million things I would love to do! The one that first comes to mind is obtaining my MBA. Also, I am working on several different certifications for my business this year, so I would like to complete those. And there is an idea for a big Bossier event that I have been planning in my head for a few years, so I would like to work on making that a reality in the future.

8. If you could tell other people one thing about life in Bossier, what would it be?

Bossier is a wonderful community to live and/or work in! Embrace and love our community and it will love you back!

Check out last month’s Millennial Pro blog on vice president of marketing and hotel operations for Margaritaville Resort Casino Josh Robinson.