Artist Journey Allen Gallery Studio serves as a platform for creativity in the city’s historic 7th Ward District. In addition to being a gallery space and hosting public paint party socials, local artist and arts educator Journey Allen utilizes her studio space as a catalyst to provide multidisciplinary art based programming to youth ages seven through seventeen. Journey Allen is a native New Orleanian working in the city’s historic 7th Ward Community. Recognized by her use of vibrant colors, Journey Allen creates works that capture the celebratory aspects of New Orleans culture that is indigenous to the lineage of its historically African American communities. With her signature design of an abstract interpretation of hand-woven African fabric acting as the backdrop to many of her works, the artist strives to pay homage to her ancestors while also creating a sense of movement, rhythm, and celebration within each piece. Defying the odds presented by an art instructor who once said she was “practically unteachable” and “could never learn to paint well enough to become a professional artist,” Journey received a BA in Fine Arts from Texas Southern University, now owns a gallery-painting studio after her namesake, and is also an art educator in both formal and community-based settings.

Ascent Blends provides the 5th ward community with access to healthy, affordable fresh fruit and vegetables via delicious, healthy smoothies. Domonique “Dinero” Meyers is the owner of the for-profit business, Ascent Blends.

Beaucoup Eats is an Uptown New Orleans neighborhood eatery which serves up modern healthier options to your authentic New Orleans classics, which thrives on the support of local farmers & partners when possible. Lakesha Reed is the owner of the for-profit business, Beaucoup Eats.

Brighter Horizons is a full service residential and commercial construction and repair company focused on quality and fair services that strengthen the beauty and longevity of communities, particularly Greater New Orleans. Charles Aponza is the owner of the for-profit business, Brighter Horizons Construction.

Connect2Black is a digital platform that connects consumers with essential events, historic landmarks, resources, and Black-owned businesses in order to facilitate greater economic empowerment of the African American community. Lawrence Martin is the founder of NOLA.Tv, New Orleans’ first web-based Internet news television network, serving and showcasing the positive spin of the Black community. He is also the publisher of the Boulevard Magazine, a quarterly publication that reaches thousands of readers. Through push notifications and eblasts, he informs the community of issues that impact Black residents around Metro New Orleans. In addition, Lawrence is a graphic artist and print production expert responsible for marketing solutions for a host of prestigious organizations, including Capstone Financial, Liberty Bank, Paul S. Morton Ministries, Full Gospel International, Southern and Dillard University programs, elected officials, and Black Pages of Houston, Texas. Mr. Martin is also the founder of the Asante Awards Foundation, a non-profit organization recognizing the contributions of Black New Orleanians. Now, Mr. Martin has taken all of those years of experience and dedication to serving his community, by bringing his academic and technical skills where it is needed most: the economic forefront.

Crazy Waffle Bar is a boutique waffle bar that provides customers with sweet and savory waffles infused with a Southern twist to create a delicious, unique waffle experience. Sinnidra Taylor is one of the Crazy Waffle Sisters behind Crazy Waffle Bar. Sinnidra is the owner of an educational consulting and tutoring business. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching with over 11 years of experience in education, ultimately working in special education compliance. In November 2018, Sinnidra and her sister Aisha completed the New Orleans Jazz Festival Foundation’s Catapult Program. They have also been featured in print and on radio.

ALAS trains educators to connect undocumented students with legal representation and advocate for students to remain in schools instead of being in jail during the pre-trial period.

Excellent Readers is an elementary reading intervention program that addresses areas of reading difficulty for young students in public and charter schools, in grades K-2, by building the foundation for phonics, writing, reading and spelling skills in a complete systematic, multi-sensory, playful and age-appropriate way. Dwann Wagner is the founder of the nonprofit venture, Excellent Readers, Inc.

Early Partners provides the highest quality childcare for working families through convenient employer-based childcare based on a high-quality educational model. Kim Frusciante is the founder and CEO of Early Partners, a New Orleans-based benefit corporation committed to providing employer-based childcare solutions for working families. After receiving philanthropic support from prominent national foundations, 4.0 Schools and New Schools Venture Fund, Kaleidoscope hosted a summer program in July of 2018 with 100% family satisfaction. Kim brings over a decade of leadership in curriculum design, culture building, teacher coaching and professional development to early childhood education. Kim has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Tulane University and resides in New Orleans with her husband and two young children, Edith (age 4) and Andy (age 1).

Legacy Leadership Academy for Girls is a multi-year residency program designed to build a sisterhood bound through service, leadership, and empowerment and inspire girls of color across the Greater New Orleans area while working collaboratively with their mothers to strengthen the entire family. Ronicka Briscoe is the founder of Legacy Leadership Academy for Girls, brings over a decade of experience in education, non-profit board leadership, and advocacy. Ronicka is a proud New Orleans native. Ronicka earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Xavier University of Louisiana (X-U). Ronicka continued her educational journey in which she pursued educational leadership, public administration and business management. Ronicka’s belief in providing all children with an excellent education compelled her to become a teacher following Hurricane Katrina. Over the last 13 years, Ronicka has worked in New Orleans public schools as a teacher, curriculum coordinator, assistant principal and principal. Ronicka currently works as an educational consultant. She is actively involved in promoting positive and sustainable community change through board service in the following organizations: Brothers Empowered to Teach (Chair), 826 New Orleans (President), 826 National (Member), Aurora West Civic Association (Member), and Teach For America Alumni Advisory (Member). Ronicka is happily married and have two beautiful children. She is also committed to working relentlessly in partnership with families, schools, and community members/organizations to ensure the Girls who participate in the LLAG Residency are empowered to build a vision for their own future and use their natural leadership abilities and talents to forge the path to attaining their vision.

Navigate NOLA is a social-emotional and community wellness organization committed to enhancing the wellbeing of the New Orleans citizenry across the lifespan through direct clinical services, policy work, training and professional development, and data collection and evaluation. Dr. Danielle K. Wright is the Division Director of Navigate Nola and is responsible for the oversight of the development and implementation of the 7 social-emotional and community wellness programs that fall under the Navigate Nola Division. Danielle is a licensed clinical social worker and public health practitioner. She is a graduate of Spelman College in Atlanta, GA. She has a Doctorate degree of Social Work from Tulane University and master’s degrees in both Social Work and Public Health from Tulane University. She is certified both in Infant Mental Health (ages 0-5) and Disaster Mental Health. Danielle has worked across various clinical mental health and public health settings such as LSU’s Behavioral Sciences Center, The City of New Orleans Health Department, Jefferson Parish Human Service Authority, The Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies and Communities In Schools. Danielle also served as an adjunct clinical field faculty member at Tulane University School of Social Work for four years. Danielle is committed to making a difference in her community and enriching the lives of the New Orleans citizenry. She is a member of several volunteer service organizations such as the Links Inc., Crescent City Chapter and African-American Women of Purpose and Power. Danielle is also a board member of Communities In Schools of the Gulf South, Inc.

STEM Library Lab is a nonprofit equipment lending library that fosters academic success by providing teachers and students with access to equipment and support for high-quality active learning. Todd Wackerman is the director and co-founder of STEM Library Lab, and is a former Physics and Algebra teacher at public schools in New Orleans and Brooklyn. While teaching at Uncommon Schools, Todd helped his students raise their interim test scores to over 10% above the network average for Physics. Todd recently completed his MBA at Tulane’s Freeman School, and received his B.A. from Boston College in Political Science and History, and his M.A.T. in Science Teaching from the University of New Orleans. He feels most comfortable when surrounded by books or trees, and once finished 11th to last in the Boston Marathon. Recently, Todd was named as one of New Orleans “New and Notables of 2019” by Biz Magazine for his work with STEM Library Lab helping foster creativity and rigor in local science classrooms.

Cajun Fire Brewing is a family owned and operated craft beer manufacturer based out of New Orleans, and the fifth Black-owned brewing company in the nation. Since inception, Cajun Fire has garnered a communal following for its unique flavor profiles that pay homage to the rich cultural ties of Cajun, Creole, Houma Indian, and the African diaspora, which are found in Acadian region of Southeast Louisiana. Jon Renthrope is the brewmaster and founder of Cajun Fire Brewing.

NO Hunger NOLA unites the fight against food waste and hunger by increasing access to healthy, affordable canned goods from recovered produce including pickles, preserves, and kimchis, driving nutritional literacy, and fostering community empowerment. Alyssa Hernandez is the founder of NO Hunger NOLA. As the sole founding member of No Hunger NOLA, Alyssa has refined the concept of a food-waste redistribution model over many years and specialties; from more than a decade in the hospitality industry to over five years in economics academia, her personal experiences with hunger have shaped her interests and unique professional direction. As a master’s student at Tulane, she has focused her research on food access issues in New Orleans, while her entrepreneurial successes have empowered her to help tackle nutritional inequities on both a local and systemic level.

Provost Farm LLC was created as a means to restore a generational connection to Louisiana farm land. Provost Farm aims to inform the public of the history and importance of African-American sugarcane farmers, while encouraging the next generation to pursue the agriculture industry. June and Angie Provost are the owners of the for-profit business, Provost Farm.

Schmelly’s Dirt Farm is a compost collection & processing company that transforms food and organic waste into compost and healthy soil while removing barriers of workplace marginalization and offering Greater New Orleans an alternative to the landfill. Susan Sakash is Schmelly’s operations manager. Susan is a Master Composter and the co-chair of the New Orleans Food Policy Advisory Committee’s Food Business Development working group. She is on the board at Rethink and part of the 2019-2020 cohort of the Next Economy MBA, which takes a regenerative approach to building sustainable, ethical businesses. Nicola Krebill is a worker and owner of Schmelly’s. Nicola spent three years with the New Orleans Food And Farm Network building backyard gardens, before leaving in 2013 to start what would eventually become Schmelly’s. They are a board member and treasurer at Grow Dat Youth Farm, and are a founding member of the food recovery program, Community Kitchen, which serves a hot meal every Tuesday in Duncan Plaza.

Vaucresson’s Sausage Company is a third generation business that makes authentic Creole products served in restaurants, grocery stores and festivals throughout the New Orleans region. Since 1899, the Vaucresson family has produced their sausage products in the 7th ward of New Orleans. Vance Vaucresson is the owner of the for-profit business, Vaucresson’s Sausage Company.

The Broadmoor Wellness Initiative enhances the social and emotional well-being of the community by increasing access to affordable counseling, social services, and mental health professional training in New Orleans. The initiative wishes to achieve holistic health for all residents in Broadmoor, with a focus on families living below the poverty line, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, immigrants, and hospitality workers, who may face additional barriers in accessing essential resources. Bethanie Mangigian, LMSW serves as the Lead Social Worker at the Broadmoor Improvement Association (BIA), where she provides affordable mental health counseling services and increases access to wellness programming. Originally a Michigan native, Bethanie completed her undergraduate degree in Theatre at Barnard College in New York City, where she then worked in education to increase college access and enhance the quality of charter school hiring practices before making New Orleans home in 2016. Bethanie completed her Master’s Degree in Social Work at Tulane University, focusing on disaster resilience and Global Social Work, while providing counseling and case management services to Broadmoor residents through the BIA. Upon graduation, Bethanie developed a career readiness curriculum at Liberty’s Kitchen and successfully partnered with employers across the city to employ learning professionals. Having returned to the BIA in 2019, Bethanie is passionate about combining her unique constellation of experiences to improve the well-being of neighborhood residents through innovative, holistic services.

Domango Training offers personal training, group training, and group fitness classes where participants receive quality fitness instruction and accountability in a high energy, fun, and engaging space. Shanda Domango Brown is trained in Dance, Fitness, and Nutrition and known for her passion, motivation, and energy as a Dancer, Personal Trainer, and Health Coach. ​ While in Los Angeles, Shanda attained a Master’s in Arts Management from Claremont Graduate University and her Personal Training Certification with the Athletics and Fitness Association of America. Merging her love for dance and fitness, Shanda traveled as one of the leading performers and choreographers of Sweet Mango and toured her renown Hip Hop Cardio classes around the country. Shanda currently resides in New Orleans, Louisiana where she runs Domango Training, a company that provides Dance, Nutrition, and Fitness healthy active lifestyle services to corporate, community, and private groups and individuals. Shanda Domango Brown is the owner of the for-profit business, Domango Training

Founded in 2007, I-STARRT is a New Orleans-based non-profit organization which alleviates chronic problems compounded by vast and complex issues once thought of as too large to solve – namely poverty, hunger, health disparities and violence – through the utilization of data science both here and abroad.

Integrative Spine Care & Wellness provides accessible, patient-centered chiropractic care to families seeking an effective, non-invasive approach to pain relief and optimal active living. Their integrative health approach based on connection, education, and empowerment helps individuals regain their quality of life after suffering from back pain, neck pain, and various other ailments. Dr. Rueben Carter earned his Bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA and his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Life University in Marietta, GA. He was born in New Orleans and has returned after 15 years of living in various other states. While completing his education, he participated in public health research and earned recognition at the Association of Chiropractic Colleges Research Agenda Conference. Prior to founding Integrative Spine Care & Wellness, Dr. Carter trained at several clinics in San Diego, CA, treating hundreds of patients weekly, including Olympic athletes. With a vision to transform the health of New Orleans, his practice has quickly become among the city’s most highly rated.

Jai Bhakti Yoga Foundation works to bring yoga and wellness services to underserved, disadvantaged, low income, and minority communities while equipping each individual to serve in community through their personal development on and off the mat. Christina Andrini has included JBYF as an organization member for the Yoga Service Council, is the Field Coordinator and Trainer for Connected Warriors since their conception in 2008, leads/ host a multitude of accessible yoga and wellness classes throughout New Orleans, India, Bali, and Costa Rica. Pioneered Aqua Yoga in New Orleans and is the only certified Aqua Kriya Yoga Teacher in the state of Louisiana. Her foundation is also an RYS (registered yoga school) 200 with YA. Christina is the founder and facilitator of the annual Day of Yoga festival for New Orleans and Summer Solstice World Yoga Day events and leads 200hr Adaptive Hatha and Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher Trainings with multiple studios.

Mother Wit Maternity & Consulting Services is designed to augment traditional gynecological and obstetrical care by providing specialized and evidence based counseling, fitness, nutrition and support services to those trying to conceive, pregnant and postpartum. Tanya Tringali is a Certified Nurse Midwife with 19 years of experience in Maternal-Infant health. She earned a BS in Nursing from New York University and an MS in Midwifery from Philadelphia University. Tanya is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Crossfit Level 1 Coach and a Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Coach and an adjunct faculty member at both NYU and at Georgetown University in their respective midwifery programs. Over the years, she has cared for thousands of women, caught nearly 1,200 babies and has found that two of the most powerful tools in her toolbox are things that don’t fit neatly into traditional gynecological and prenatal care: fitness and nutrition. Tanya decided it was time to innovate, to step outside of the traditional patient-provider relationship, and Mother Wit was born.

Cicada Radio is a New Orleans based story-telling collective with the primary goal of highlighting experiential histories which shape the everyday lives of South Louisiana residents. As a platform for orchestrating these untold stories, the collective hopes to promote audio as an accessible form of local information and expression in an increasingly globalized world. Asher Griffith is the founder, producer, sound designer and composer behind Cicada Radio.

Delta Flora grows and sells plants that are native to Southeast Louisiana for planting in landscapes and gardens.

Gravel Road Builders is a licensed and certified construction company that offers general contracting, construction project management, historic restoration, and stormwater management services.

Louisiana Land Art is a local hardscaping and landscaping company specializing in design, installation, and maintenance that emphasizes a harmonious relationship with water.

The Solutions Journal: For a Sustainable and Desirable Future is a hybrid peer-reviewed journal and nonprofit popular magazine publication devoted to showcasing bold and innovative ideas for solving the world’s integrated ecological, social, and economic problems. Dr. Beth Caniglia(PhD University of Notre Dame) is Professor and Director of the Institute for Sustainable Economic & Enterprise Development (SEED) in the College of Business & Economics at Regis University in Denver, Colorado. She serves as a member of the Board at the Alliance Center in Denver, Colorado and is Co-Editor-in-Chief at the Solutions Journal. Dr.Caniglia’s research and publications are focused at the intersection of social movements, organizations and policymaking, especially related to the environmental movement, while her more recent work has turned toward resilience and environmental justice in urban communities. For over a decade, she collected extensive data on the Multi-stakeholder dialogues at the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, where she also served as a consultant to the NGO Steering Committee. Dr. Caniglia is past-Chair of the Environment & Technology Section of the American Sociological Association. She currently heads the oral history project to document the evolution of environmental sociology since the first Earth Day. She serves on the editorial boards of Mobilization and The Journal of World-Systems Research. She has received numerous awards. In 2009, she was chosen as a Global Climate Leader by the State of the World Forum in recognition of her commitment to link academic scholarship to global carbon cycle transformation. In 2016, she was recognized by the International Women’s Leadership Association as among Top Women Executives, Professionals & Entrepreneurs. Her book (with Thomas J. Burns) Environmental Sociology: The Ecology of Late Modernity was honored with the Gerold L. Young Outstanding Book Award from the Society for Human Ecology. She has been honored by America’s Who’s Who in Academia. And, most recently, she was nominated for the Denver Sustainability Summit Visionary Award.

Sponge City supports green infrastructure and maintenance in New Orleans through native plants, data management, and GIS mapping. Jenny Wolff is an interdisciplinary ecosystem restoration professional with a background in environmental science research, GIS and mapping, and green infrastructure applications. She is the founder of Sponge City and focuses on developing technical tools and partnerships that contribute to sustaining the water management sector in New Orleans. She is a graduate of the University of New Orleans and completed the National Green Infrastructure Certification Program with Dana Brown spring of 2019.