Toccara Huckaby is the founder of Merit Girls Academy (MGA), an all-girls middle school in Shreveport with a target opening date of fall 2026. MGA will prioritize creating a nurturing and empowering environment that supports the well-being of adolescent girls and their families by fostering a culture where students together operate in excellence, build sisterly connections and develop a growth mindset. The school will provide a strong academic foundation for girls to excel in fields in which they are frequently underrepresented, including STEM, leadership and entrepreneurship. Toccara earned a BS in elementary education and a certification in 6-8 reading/language arts from Northwestern State University. During her teaching career in Caddo Parish, Toccara’s skills and commitment to education were recognized. She was honored as Rookie Teacher of the Year and Middle School Teacher of the Year, served as a mentor teacher, contributing to the development of fellow educators, and named as a Teacher Leader for Louisiana. In 2014, Toccara transitioned into a leadership role as the director of afterschool programs for Volunteers of America North Louisiana. During her tenure, she actively participated in a national leadership initiative, KeyMakers, which focused on promoting operational excellence and cultivating future leaders within the organization. Later Toccara became an entrepreneur, owning Stonewall Learning Center Plus, an educational center offering tutoring, art and music instruction. Additionally, she established a nonprofit called Girls Empowered for More Society (GEMS).