News and Updates

HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?

I have lived and worked in my community and the City of New Orleans for over 40 proud years, and for 33 years as an employee at Dillard University located in the Heart of Gentilly.

HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?

Having the privilege of working in the administration of Mayor Ernest "Dutch" Morial as Director of Minority Business and learning the history this great city,  up to this date as Director of Community and Church Relations at Dillard University and realizing the contribution Dillard has made to Gentilly and the City of New Orleans.  Dillard University was commited to helping in the revitalization and repopulation of the City of New Orleans in 2005 as a result of Hurricane Katrina. The Office of Community and Church Relations was created in January 2006 to assist in the massive recovery effort of bringing vital resources such as health services, home repair, youth programs, financial assistance, and many more to the front doors of the residents.  Realizing that most curcial services where not located in our immediately community Dillard University hosted several townhall meetings,  business breakfasts, business lunch meetings and receptions for corporate private and public sector organization to come to tour the Gentilly neighborhood and hear the voices of the residents on how we could all partner together to created a model community.  Dillard University Community Relations created an Advisory Board consisting of neighborhood associations in close proximity to our campus to understand and act upon the concerns the residents were faced with upon their return to the community and how we can obtain resources to help in rebuilding "better" and repopulate this Jewel of a community called Gentilly. 

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?

The history, the charm, located in the center of New Orleans and the fact that we have several higher educational institutions in Gentilly.

WHAT SUCCESSES HAVE YOU HAD IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?

Created an annual Housing, Health and Community Resources Fair which is now in its 15th year, created community gardens at several churches, opened a the Dillard University Community Resource Centers for neighborhood association to host meetings, erected neighborhood signage at the entrance of ten neighborhoods in Gentilly, installed pole signage along Gentilly Blvd. welcoming visitors to Gentilly and encouraging residents and visitors to shop in Gentilly.  

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?  

Sponsoring COVID-19 Vaccination locations in Gentilly and throughout the City of New Orleans in underserved communities, sponsoring and hosting webinars for Small Businesses, organizing community Broadband Technology Classes at Dillard University and several churches in the area, and many more outreach programs.

ANY WORDS OF ADVICE FOR OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS AND CHANGE MAKERS?

Get involved with your neighborhood association.  There's still a lot of work to be done.  If you are looking for a location to host the meetings please remember that the Dillard University Community Resource Center is the location for all your activities.