Mahalia Jackson was one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century.  A contralto gospel singer with a 40-year career, she was integral to the spread of gospel blues in Black Churches in the U.S. and ushered in the Golden Age of Gospel.

Born in New Orleans, she was raised by an aunt when her mother passed away in 1917.  She had to quit school in the 4th grade and work at home.  She joined the church choir at age 12.  At 16, she moved to Chicago with another aunt and eventually joined Greater Salem Baptist Church and the Johnson Brothers, a professional gospel group.  She began performing for donations, churches, basements and various venues, including funerals, rallies and revivals.  

Mahalia took off with the 1947 recording of “Move On Up a Little Higher”, selling 2 million copies in the U.S. and rising to #2 on the Billboard Charts, a first for a gospel song.  She toured extensively and endured much racism and segregation, particularly in the South.  Throughout the 1950s, she performed extensively, including a performance at Carnegie Hall.

By 1960, she was an international star; however, the racism she continued to endure, particularly when moving to the Chicago suburbs, led to her involvement with the Civil Rights Movement.  She lent her voice and financial support to rallies, marches and demonstrations.  She performed at the second March on Washington in 1963 and is said to have urged Dr. King to deliver the Movement’s most famous speech with, “Tell them about the dream, Martin.”  She also sang at other monumental events, including the inaugural ball of President John F. Kennedy in 1961, President Kennedy’s funeral in 1963, and at the funeral of her friend, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968. 

In  April 1970, she returned to New Orleans to appear at the first New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.   Though she had battled illness for years, she continued to tour, bringing gospel music to the world until her death in 1972 at the age of 60.

Sources:  www.mahaliajackson.us/biography, Wikipedia, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, history, www.nojazzfest.com

Leah Chase – Feb. 10th 

Leah Chase, executive chef and co-owner of Dooky Chase’s Restaurant, is the preeminent Queen of Creole Cuisine. Born in Madisonville, LA, she came to New Orleans to live with an aunt to attend high school at St. Mary’s Academy, as her hometown had no schools for African-Americans past 6th grade.  After graduating from high school, she held many jobs, but working years later at a French Quarter restaurant would have a great influence on her.  

In 1946, she married a jazz trumpeter and bandleader, Edgar “Dooky” Chase, II and began working in the family business, a tavern that sold sandwiches and lottery tickets, eventually transforming it to a sit-down restaurant.  In a then-segregated New Orleans, it was the only upscale restaurant where African-Americans could gather and dine.  Dooky Chase’s became an integral meeting place for leaders of the Civil Rights Movement to discuss strategy.  She fed civil rights icons like Martin Luther King, Jr., the Freedom Riders, musicians and actors; later in life, she fed U.S. Presidents, including George W. Bush and Barack Obama.   Mrs. Chase’s chef’s jacket is on display at the National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington, D.C. She was also the inspiration for Princess Tiana in Disney’s 2009 “The Princess and the Frog”, set in New Orleans.  

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina damaged the Dooky Chase’s.  Under Mrs. Chase’s leadership, the restaurant reopened in 2007 and remains in operation today.  Mrs. Chase passed away in 2019 at 96 years old, survived by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  

Sources:  nola.com, Wikipedia, Food & Wine, February 9, 2019, dookychasefoundation.org/about, NY Times NY edition, June 3, 2019, Section A, Pg. 1

Venerable Henriette Diaz DeLille – Feb. 16th 

The Venerable Mother Henriette DeLille was a free woman of color and a Catholic nun.  Born in 1812 to a white father and a quadroon mother, Henriette was educated in French literature, the arts and nursing skills and groomed to find a wealthy, White man for a placage relationship.  Henriette, also a devout Catholic, denounced this life early on and began working with Church institutions.  She was heavily influenced by Sister Marthe Fontier, who opened a school in New Orleans for girls of color.  She began teaching at the school at the age of 14.  Her desire to work with the poor grew, to the ire of her mother. She tried to become a postulate, but was turned down by the Ursuline and Carmelite Orders because of her African heritage.  However, she was not deterred.  She was confirmed in 1834.  At the age of 24, she had a religious experience and a declaration of faith:  “I believe in God.  I hope in God.  I love.  I want to live and die for God.”  In 1842, she and two other free women of color, Josephine Charles and Juliette Gaudin, founded what would today become the Sisters of the Holy Family, the second oldest Catholic religious order for women of color.   They took vows privately in 1852, as they could not take vows publicly in the Church as women of color.  They worked tirelessly caring for and educating the poor, sick and elderly, whether enslaved or free.  They opened a hospital, provided nursing care, established a home for orphans and a school for girls that would become known today as St. Mary’s Academy.  Mother DeLille died in 1862.  In 1988, the Order formally opened their cause with the Vatican for canonization of Mother DeLille.  Mother DeLille has completed 2 of the 4 phases for sainthood in the Catholic Church:  servant of God and Venerable.  She is awaiting verification of a miracle.  She is the first U.S. native-born African American whose cause for canonization has been officially opened by the Catholic Church.  

Sources:  smaneworleans.com, lib.lsu.edu/sites/all/files/scfpoc/history.html (LSU Free People of Color in Louisiana), Wikipedia, www.learnreligions.com, www.sistersoftheholyfamily.com

Dorothy Mae Taylor – Feb. 24th

Dorothy Mae DeLavallade Taylor, an educator and politician, worked in public service for six decades. A graduate of Southern University A&M College, she had been a social activist since the late 1940’s.  She led successful efforts to petition NORD to provide equal resources to African-Americans, and in time, playgrounds, swimming pools and facilities were  desegregated. She was also vital in the registration of African-Americans to vote.

In 1971, Mrs. Taylor became the first African-American woman elected to the Louisiana State Legislature, and became the first woman to receive the Legislator of the Year Award in 1972. She served in the legislature until 1980, and when her term ended, she became the Director of the Central City Neighborhood Health Clinic operated by Total Community Action Agency in New Orleans. In 1984, then Governor Edwin Edwards tapped her to head the state’s Department of Urban and Community Affairs, becoming the first African-American woman to head a Louisiana State department. In 1986, she became the first African-American woman to serve on the New Orleans City Council, serving from 1986-1994. Perhaps what she is most noted for is her 1992 introduction of an ordinance to ban discrimination in membership of Mardi Gras krewes, a move that paved the way for the desegregation for krewes in the city of New Orleans.  

Sources: Historic New Orleans Collection (www.hnoc.org)

Learn how your organization can partner with the Junior League of New Orleans. We’re here to help with:

• volunteers
• funding
• training
• project development

Join us on August 18 to learn all the ways your nonprofit organization can benefit from a partnership with JLNO.

This event is free and open to the public, however registration is required. We will only be offering a Zoom option to attend.

12 pm to 1 pm via Zoom

RSVP to communitycouncildirector@jlno.org

The final session in the series, held during Human Trafficking Awareness Month, will build off of the previous two talks and focus on what we can do as a community to combat human trafficking. Attendees will learn about anti-trafficking efforts happening locally, and receive advice on how to be anti-human trafficking advocates.

The speakers are:

• Susan Dold– Moderator, Systems Administrator, Trucker’s Against Trafficking (TAT)
• Sheri Lochridge– Human Trafficking Team Leader at Covenant House New Orleans
• Jennifer Ray– Greater New Orleans Human Trafficking Task Force Coordinator

Additionally, in January, in conjunction with Human Trafficking Awareness Month, JLNO will hold a drive for Eden House and other local nonprofits working to eradicate human trafficking. The drive will collect household necessities like disinfectant wipes, flashlights, light bulbs, pillows and toilet papers. The drive wishlist and information will be available at www.jlno.org. 

If you would like to donate, both Covenant House and Eden House of New Orleans have lists of requested items on Amazon:
Covenant House wish list

Click here to register for the event.

Talking to your children about the issue of human trafficking can be difficult to navigate. Talking to your children about the issue of human trafficking can be difficult to navigate. In this session, the following speakers will help attendees prepare for this conversation: Maria Isabella Pontoriero, Human Trafficking Social Worker for the Audrey Hepburn CARE Center and Forensic Interviewer for the New Orleans Children’s Advocacy Center along with a representative from Eden House.

Click here to register.

This introductory and participatory session will help attendees understand the types of human trafficking and how the horrendous crime impacts the city of New Orleans. Attendees will also learn about anti-trafficking efforts happening locally, and receive advice on how to be anti-human trafficking advocates. This session features Leanne McCallum, current Strategic Projects Manager for Louisiana Alliance of Children’s Advocacy Centers and former Coordinator for the Greater New Orleans Human Trafficking Task Force. Additional speakers to be announced.

Click here to register.

“Stopping Traffic” Talk

Wednesday, Dec. 15, 6 – 7 p.m.

The community is invited to join Junior League of New Orleans in watching and discussing, “Stopping Traffic,” an inspiring documentary featuring heroes of the anti-sex-trafficking movement and bringing light to their efforts to raise awareness and provide solutions. Registrants should watch the film for free through Pluto TV or another online streaming service prior to the talk on Dec. 15. Participating in the online talk is Eden House founder and CEO, Kara Van de Carr, and moderator, Susan Dold, Systems Administrator for Truckers Against Trafficking. Additional speakers to be announced.

Public Registration: Click Here

Member Registration: Visit Digital Cheetah (3 training credits)

“STOPPING TRAFFIC” PANELISTS

Sadhvi Siddhali Shree, Director of “Stopping Traffic”

Sadhvi Siddhali Shree is the first North American Jain female-monk, a U.S. Army Iraq-war veteran, an international and TEDx speaker, author, activist, and an award-winning filmmaker. Her first documentary is STOPPING TRAFFIC: The Movement to End Sex Trafficking (2017) and her second documentary is SURVIVING SEX TRAFFICKING, which will be released in March 2022. Driven by her deep-seated devotion to humanity, she uses her talents and skills to raise awareness about violence in the world and ways to change it. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from California State University, Long Beach and a background in web development, marketing, video production, and book publishing, she has helped spread the teachings of her spiritual mentor, Acharya Shree Yogeesh, which has touched and transformed millions of lives. She serves as the Spiritual Director of Siddhayatan Tirth & Spiritual Retreat based near Dallas, Texas and is executive director of Stopping Traffic, a non-profit organization which supports survivors of sex trafficking. Sadhvi Siddhali Shree is passionate about social movements that focus on non-violence, human rights, gender equality, and anti-trafficking. 

Kara Van de Carr, Founder and Executive Director of Eden House

Kara Van de Carr is an attorney and former United States Diplomat responsible for writing the Trafficking in Persons Report for the country of Jamaica. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of Eden House. Recognizing the prevalence of human trafficking both internationally and in the United States, Kara worked with Representative Neal Abramson to draft legislation for Louisiana that would better protect children who are trafficked into the sex trade. In addition to fighting this modern-day slavery through legislation, Kara and the Board of Directors of Eden House understand that our society must offer those who have been victimized solutions for healing. She travels extensively, speaking on the issues of human trafficking and recovery, as well as assisting organizations that hope to establish similar residences throughout the country. Kara received her B.A. from UC Berkeley, her J.D. from Tulane Law, and LL.M. from Georgetown Law School in International Law.​

Susan Dold, Systems Administrator for Truckers Against Trafficking

Susan Dold is the Systems Administrator for Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT). In this role she is the bookkeeper, the HR manager, helps to manage the Freedom Drivers Project and equips companies to educate their staff to combat human trafficking. She has been involved in the anti trafficking realm for over 10 years. Susan co-founded a local non-profit in Denver, helped start a recovery house and is passionate about educating people on the realities of domestic sex trafficking. She loves hiking, skiing, cooking and good conversation.

While in college, she recalls a host of credit card companies offering freebies if she signed on the dotted line – so she did.  One after another, she accumulated credit card debt in exchange for tokens that cost close to nothing!  Armed with an unstable part-time job and a victim to spending, she found herself in a financial mess.  With a very low credit score, she knew something had to be done. Therefore, after graduating from college, Kemberley made a strong commitment to get her finances in order. She began to seek God’s help and wisdom to turn her finances around.  As such, she was able to purchase her first home at the age of 23 and started her journey to help others by sharing her knowledge as a financial news contributor, author and educator.

Today, Kemberley operates Washington CPA Services, LLC and the B.A.D.G.E. plan, a program designed to teach individuals about financial literacy.  As such, she provides financial literacy classes to churches, nonprofits, colleges and universities, schools, businesses and private groups.  Her course, The Ten Commandments to a Financial Healing has received great reviews and is often implemented by churches and groups.  She is also often sought after as a keynote speaker regarding topics ranging from personal finance, taxation, entrepreneurship, keys to success, biblical perspectives and more.

As a personal finance news contributor, she often appears on many news outlets, which includes Fox 8 Morning News and NBC WDSU News.  Also, she is frequently heard on iHeartRadio Stations, FM98 and Q93, where she provides tips to help individuals conquer their personal finances.  Throughout her career, she has had the opportunity to contribute to US News, BlackEnterprise, Fox Business, Yahoo Finance, The New Orleans Agenda, Jet Magazine, The New Orleans Tribune, Smart Asset, The Street, Bankrate.com, Upscale, Credit Karma, Experian, and many more.

She has received numerous awards to include the 2015 First NBC Financial Millennial Award, Financial Service Professionals (FSP) Paul S. Mills Award, Dillard University’s Outstanding Teacher and Dean’s Awards, and the ING Summer Scholarship Award.

Recently, she has been named to the AICPA National Financial Literacy Commission.  She was selected as only one of thirty CPAs to attend the AICPA 3rd Annual Leadership Institute and is featured on This Way to CPA, a website designed to promote the CPA license designation. Lastly, Kemberley was instrumental in revitalizing the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) New Orleans chapter after Hurricane Katrina, where she served as president.

In her past, she has worked at Dillard University as a faculty member, where she taught personal finance and business courses. During her tenure at Dillard University, Kemberley authored proposals and received funding from the Louisiana Board of Regents to receive approximately $70,000 of funding, which she utilized to establish the Small Business Accounting Center at the institution. She was also been instrumental in securing funding geared towards Dillard University’s College of Business for the purpose of establishing sponsorships, scholarships, and other types of funding to support the college.  Prior to joining the faculty at Dillard University, Kemberley had the opportunity to work for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a Special Agent in its Criminal Investigation Division and a Revenue Agent for the Small Business and Self-Employed Division. She is currently completing her Ph.D. in the area of personal finance at Texas Tech University.

Prior to joining the GNO, Inc. staff, Lacy was the Special Initiatives Manager with the non-profit organization the Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX).  Lacy is Board President of the public transit advocacy organization RIDE New Orleans and an Active Member of the Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO) where she Chair’s the JLNO Women’s Leadership Summit.  In addition, Lacy is a board member of the Jefferson Parish Chamber of Commerce, a board member of The Environment and Health Council of Louisiana, current participant in the 2019-2020 New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute, an alum of the 2016 Emerging Philanthropist of New Orleans class, and has served as a Lead Mentor to entrepreneurs in the Propeller small business incubator.  

Lacy holds a B.A. from the University of Georgia’s Grady School of Journalism, a M.A. in Global Communications from the American University of Paris, and an M.B.A. from Tulane University.  She is married to Bryan McManus, Senior Parish Attorney with Jefferson Parish, and mother of two children and an amazing rescue dog.

Amy graduated from Loyola University New Orleans with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication  and from Louisiana State University’s Manship School with a Master in Mass Communication.  She is certified in crisis communications by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), and she has served as adjunct faculty at Loyola and Tulane University. 

In addition to her role at Gambel, Amy and her husband, Sherwood Collins, manage the Tres  Doux Foundation and Beignet Fest, which they founded in 2016. Through their journey with  their son, Liam, who is on the autism spectrum, the couple recognized a need to create awareness  and funding for programs to serve children with developmental differences in Greater New  Orleans. As a result of Amy and Sherwood’s efforts, Beignet Fest has become a signature  festival in the South, raising tens of thousands of dollars to support local advocacy, education  and enrichment programs serving special needs children.

Amy has been honored as a YLC Role Model and CityBusiness Woman of the Year, plus she’s  been included on the People to Watch and Top Female Achiever lists by New Orleans Magazine.  She was an inaugural fellow of the Norman C. Francis Leadership Institute at Xavier University.  She’s also been through the Institute of Politics, New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute  (NORLI) and New Orleans Business Alliance’s Economic Development Ambassadors programs. 

Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Amy took a break from communications consulting and  spent six years leading the Young Leadership Council (YLC), a member-based nonprofit  organization with a mission to develop leadership in young professionals through community  engagement. A highlight of her time as executive director at the YLC was developing the  downtown Wednesday at the Square concert series into an annual rite of spring and tripling the  organization’s fundraising to develop programs to serve all aspects of post-Katrina New Orleans. 

During the early part of her career, Amy worked in sports marketing for the Greater New  Orleans Sports Foundation, Super Bowl XXXI Host Committee, New Orleans Brass Hockey  Team, Louisiana State University Athletics and University of New Orleans Athletics. During her  career, she has worked in the communications agency business on teams at J. Walter Thompson  Worldwide, Logan Marketing, Deveney Communication and P.R. PR, Inc. 

Born and raised in New Orleans, Amy has been active in the community since high school,  serving on boards and committees for various organizations. She is a past president of the  Women’s Professional Council and currently chairs the Tres Doux Foundation’s board of  directors. She has also been a board member of Arts Council of New Orleans, Lafitte Greenway,  the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA), Dress for Success, Association of  Fundraising Professionals, International Association of Business Communicators and Young  Leadership Council.

• • Founder and Acting Executive Director of “PINK House,” a personal development academy for teen girls, promoting self-appreciation, social responsibility, effective communication and leadership. 
  • Founder and Chair of “M-Powerment,” an employee group comprising Entergy’s current and expectant parents, targeting work-life balance issues and providing employee networking opportunities.
  • Board Member/Treasurer for Junior League of New Orleans, a volunteer women’s organization dedicated to developing women’s potential, and improving community action and leadership of trained volunteers.
  • Board Member of “Geaux Girl,” a local magazine whose mission is to inform, inspire, engage, and empower teen girls.

In 2013, April earned the New Orleans Saints “Community Quarterback” award, which the New Orleans Saints organization bestows to recognize leadership, dedication and commitment to improving the local community.   April, a New Orleans native, earned a B.S. degree in Accounting from Dillard University, and is married with two teen girls.