News and Updates

April 28, 2016

Get to Know Your Neighbor: Spotlight on Mona Lisa Saloy

by Korynn I. Matthew, Neighborhood Engagement Intern
Filed under: neighborhood spotlight

Mona-Lisa.png

How long have you lived in the 7th Ward?


I was born and raised in the 7th Ward. I moved out west where I completed my undergraduate and early graduate education, but I’ve lived here longer than anywhere else, and I continue to love it.

What do you love about your neighborhood?
 

I love the folks who are so creative--just hard-working, earnest folks, carving a living and a life, the way we take time for each other; the rich culture makes life here sweeter, vivid, and I’m thankful for it.

What successes have you had in your organization?
 

In our first big effort, we helped to coordinate the rebuilding of Hunter’s field, successfully proposed the lovely mural by neighborhood fine artist Richard C. Thomas and 35 young artists. We hold annual nights out against crime. Last year, we, with a grant from First Books, gave almost 400 books to teens and tweens in the neighborhood. We also learned to make rain barrels, deter standing water, and studied growing food. This year, we hope to bring LEH’s Prime Time Family Reading Time into our neighborhood, host demos of native Craftsmen demonstrating the old-world artistic crafts for which we are known, and to publish a tour booklet.

Do you have any upcoming events or projects?
 

Yes. We are now part of the Treme/7th Ward Cultural District; and with Treme, we are hosting the first ever T7 Fest, the Treme/7th Ward Arts & Culture Festival, which will be held Memorial Day weekend with Friday panels on the historic Architecture, Foodways, Building Trades at The Autocrat Social & Pleasure club.  Saturday will be a concert and festival under the Claiborne Avenue overpass, and Sunday culminates in a musical brunch with local choirs, St. Raymond/St. Leo the Great and other guests.

What advice would you give to other neighborhood leaders?


First, I consider myself a good neighbor, then an author & educator & Folklorist.  My role is to listen, communicate what I learn, and help in what ways I can to represent us, so that someone is at the table when our area is discussed; mostly, I work to encourage active citizenship.

Our goals are, as our mission states:

We aim to enhance and improve the quality of life in the 7th Ward, to promote active citizenship, and to preserve and promote the art, culture, environment, and heritage of our neighborhood, for the enjoyment and safety of its members and residents.