Norman C. Francis Leadership Institute Honors Leaders
The Norman C. Francis Leadership Institute recently honored Dean Baquet, Walter Isaacson, Monty Williams, and Tania Tetlow at its annual fundraiser on, highlighted by a special performance by Grammy-Award-winning singer Eric Benet.
Inspired by the esteemed former president of Xavier University Norman C. Francis, the Institute has provided leadership training to the region’s most promising leaders as they make their impact on civic engagement and social responsibility in the Southeastern United States.
Dr. Francis was president of Xavier University, the nation’s only historically Black and Catholic university for close to 50 years and has built a lasting legacy of serving academia and communities with the highest principles.
This year’s annual fundraiser was held at the New Orleans Jazz Market
LA Creole Holds 15th Annual Conference
La Creole will host its 15th annual conference from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 at the Xavier University of Louisiana Convocation Annex, 7019 Stroelitz St.
The conference is $60 for members and $70 for non-members. The conference fee includes lunch.
The theme for the 2019 conference is Still Picturing New Orleans: The Legacy of Arthur P. Bedou. A New Orleans native, Bedou was a self-taught photographer who served as the personal photographer of Booker T. Washington from the early 1900s until Washington’s death in 1915.
In the 1920s, Bedou returned to New Orleans and opened a photography studio, documenting and celebrating Black life in the city through his pictures. His photographs appeared in both the Louisiana Weekly and The Louisiana Times-Picayune.
La Creole’s conference will include morning and evening sessions at the Convocation Annex and an exhibition and reception in the Xavier Library Resource Center. All attendees are asked to bring a family portrait to be analyzed in the photo workshop.
On Sunday, Oct. 27, La Creole will celebrate 15 years with a special event from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. at the Autocrat Social & Pleasure Club, 1725 St. Bernard Ave. Reservations are required for this event. The cost is $10 for members and $15 for non-members.
For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.lacreole.org or call 504-241-1439.
SUNO Celebrates 60 Years
Students, faculty, staff and administration at SUNO along with community members took part in a week-long celebration in honor of university’s 60th anniversary.
On Sept. 21, 1959, SUNO opened the doors of its one building to 158 students and 15 faculty members.
The week-long 60th anniversary celebration included an Ecumenical Service on Sept. 15; a student convocation on Monday, Sept. 16; and an alumni reception is Sept. 18 .
“The Knight with the Chancellor” Scholarship Banquet was also held on Sept. 20.
“We continue to chart new territory as we embark on the 60th anniversary of this great institution,” SUNO Chancellor Lisa Mims-Devezin said. “Southern University at New Orleans is resilient, resourceful and ranked among the top colleges in Louisiana. We remain committed to providing our students with a quality education and the personal attention needed for success. We have a lot to celebrate!”
On Sept. 21, the University celebrated its 60th anniversary with the SUNO 60 Strides Run/Walk. The Run/Walk was sponsored by the SUNO Foundation, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, New Orleans East Hospital, Walmart and The Blood Center.
The celebration will not end in September. The Southern University at New Orleans Foundation will honor the University during The BASH at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25 at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans. Tickets for the annual fundraiser are $160 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.com.
Fifth Annual Westbank Heritage Festival to Feature All-Star Music Lineup
Organizers of the 5th Annual Westbank Heritage Festival, taking place Oct. 5-6, have announced this year’s headline performers, which include New Orleans “Queen of Bounce” Big Freedia, 90s hip hop icon Juvenile, internationally-renowned R&B singer Ginuwine, legendary New Orleans DJ and producer Mannie Fresh.
The festival will also feature performances from local rapper Choppa, known for his hit single and Saints football anthem “Choppa Style”; DJ Polo, influential East Coast DJ and rapper credited with birthing mafioso rap; Bounce artist 5th Ward Weebie; and soulful R&B singer Roi “Chip” Anthony.
The Westbank Heritage Festival was founded in 2015 by Jefferson Parish Councilman Mark Spears and the New Growth Economic Development Association to celebrate the unique culture of the West Bank, provide opportunities for local businesses, enhance tourism, and spur economic development throughout the area. The festival has since attracted thousands to the West Bank each year with its music line-up.
Additional local artists and musical acts, as well as this year’s vendor lineup and the daily schedule of events, will be announced in the coming weeks.
The 2019 Westbank Heritage Festival is free to attend and will include music, food, and fun for children and adults of all ages all weekend long. Festival-goers will have the opportunity to purchase VIP tickets for the Best Bank VIP Lounge each day for $40. The full Best Bank VIP experience includes all-day access to the luxurious, lounge space and seating, private viewing areas in front of and on-stage, an outdoor gaming area, VIP restrooms, one signature dish from a prominent West Bank food vendor, and unlimited soft drinks and water. VIP tickets are currently available for purchase with a special early bird 25 percent discount on the first 40 tickets sold at westbankheritagefest.com/experiences.
Bethany United Methodist Church presents the 4th Annual Jazz On The Green
Join Bethany United Methodist Church is hosting the 4th annual Jazz on the Green from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 at the church, 4533 Mendez St. in the Pontchartrain Park neighborhood.
Jazz on the Green is an evening of celebration featuring live music and food beneath the stars on the lush lawn of Bethany United Methodist Church.
The music lineup includes Sharon Martin, Collage Cornerstone Harmonizers, DEACON2SAV
Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at Eventbrite.com.
