Civic Engagement Decoded

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April/May 2016 • Community Voices Orchestrating Change • Issue 10 Volume 2 How do I get to the polling location? Where is the polling site? when do I vote? CAN I USE a absentee ballot? Why are ballot measures so darn confusing? Civic decoded engagement Neighborhoods Partnership Network’s (NPN) mission is to improve our quality of life by engaging New Orleanians in neighborhood revitalization and civic process.

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Unlock the mystery behind the various civic processes that are taking place in our local and state government.

Transcript of Civic Engagement Decoded

Page 1: Civic Engagement Decoded

April/May 2016 • Community Voices Orchestrating Change • Issue 10 Volume 2

How do I get to the

polling location?

Where is the

polling site?when do I vote?

CAN I USE a

absentee ballot?

Why are ballot

measures so

darn confusing?

Civic

decodedengagement

Neighborhoods Partnership Network’s (NPN) mission is to improve our quality of life by engaging New Orleanians in neighborhood revitalization and civic process.

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The Trumpet | April/May | 20162

NEIGHBORHOODSPARTNERSHIP NETWORK

NPN provides an inclusive and collaborative city-wide framework to empower

neighborhood groups in New Orleans.

Find Out More at NPNnola.com

NPN Board Members

Victor Gordon (Board Chair)Ryan AlbrighCarolynn CarterKaren ChabertCatherine FlowersAlonzo KnoxWendy LakerSylvia Scineaux-RichardKatherine Prevost

Third Party Submission IssuesPhysical submissions on paper, CD, etc. cannot be returned unless an arrangement is made. Submissions may be edited and may be published or otherwise reused in any medium. By submitting any notes, information or material, or otherwise providing any material for publication in the newspaper, you are representing that you are the owner of the material, or are making your submission with the consent of the owner of the material, all information you provide is true, accurate, current and complete.

Non-Liability DisclaimersThe Trumpet may contain facts, views, opinions, statements and recommendations of third party individuals and organizations. The Trumpet does not represent or endorse the accuracy or reliability of any advice, opinion, statement or other information in the publication and use of or reliance on such advice, opinion, statement or other information is at your own risk.

Copyright© 2016 Neighborhoods Partnership Network. All Rights Reserved. Any copying, redistribution or retransmission of any of the contents of this service without the express written consent of Neighborhoods Partnership Network is expressly prohibited.

Photo: Kevin Griffin/2Kphoto

Have you ever asked the question what is the purpose of life? Or have you been a part of something that seems larger than life? Something that you put everything into only to realize that none of it was about you, but about what you could offer to the process that would contribute to the end goal. Even more, what if there was no end goal that you walk away with the

same level of confusion and naivety that you had when you started? Where would you go from there?

This is the lesson that I have come to terms with this year. The journey and path of understanding this city and its mysterious cultural enclaves called neighborhoods continue to take me down roads and hills, streams and valleys, mountain tops and alleys that I was not equipped or prepared to experience but it has built a warrior, a fighter, a compassionate resident who has a genuine love for community. A person who no longer question why, but why not and begins to research has it ever been done before and by whom.

The summer I entered the Musician Union Hall on Esplanade Ave I walked into that large hall, filled with engage residents, amazed and focused. I was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed to say the least all eventually leading me to believe that I could unravel the community engagement onion. Initial I was in unaware about how neighborhoods can sometimes be environments poisoned by racism, sexism, political ineptitude, and financial corruption that could prevent them from fulfilling their shared vision of existing. As I grew to understand the onion there was also a need to recognize that each layer had a specific purpose and role in (re) building sustainable and just neighborhoods.

In the last 10 years I’ve had the pleasure of working with 43 unique neighborhood leaders who served as board members, 25 people on staff at one time or another, and over 185 interns from some of the most prestigious universities in the country. The lesson that I will take with me is that there is disconnect between the theory and practice of “community” and “citizenship.” That for “civic engagement” to work and have long-term impact we must undertake the difficult work of defining civic engagement as it is defined by those who are utilizing it. In addition there is a need to also be present to the values that are essential to the well-being of any civic construct—humility, efficacy, and empathy.

I implore the leadership of this city to understand the onion of our neighborhoods as we continue to build resilient communities. That we know that the future of civic engagement in the city will depend on how well we are able to define what we mean within the local and institutional contexts of civic engagement.

I am thankful for every experience that I have had and acknowledge and it is those experiences that are adding layers and stretching us to our next resilience.

Timolynn Sams Sumter

Timolynn Sams Sumter

Letter From The Executive Director

Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger, even though sometimes it is hard to realize this. For the world was built to develop character, and we must learn that the setbacks and grieves which we endure help us in our marching onward. — Henry Ford

The Onion of NOLA Neighborhoods

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3The Trumpet | April/May | 2016

The Trumpet Editorial BoardDavid Baker Louisiana WeeklyRachel GrahamNeighborhood Development Foundation (NDF) consultantChristy ChapmanAuthorKevin Griffin Clark2k Photo NOLA & GraphicsMatt HendricksRide NOLALinedda McIver AARP Louisiana

Julia RamseyOrleans Public Education Network (OPEN)Gretchen ZalkindNOLA TimebankKeith HoltBike EasyAshley ThomasTotal Community Action (TCA)Ethan AshleyUrban League of Greater New OrleansGeoffrey BrienLouisiana Public Health Institute/ TFL

NEIGHBORHOODSPARTNERSHIP NETWORK

3321 Tulane AvenueNew Orleans, LA 70119

504.940.2207 • FX 504.940.2208 [email protected]

www.npnnola.com

The Trumpet Contents4 Be Aware of Tax Identity Theft

6 101 on Scaling Your Business Operations and Process Mapping

9 Law Would Make Black Men Second Class Citizens

12 Should Charters Go Back to the District?

20 OPDEC: When the Veil Tells More Than The Unveiling

N E I G H B O R H O O D S P A R T N E R S H I P N E T W O R K

10

1613 18 Confessions of a Helicopter MomContinuing a Legacy of Cooperative Economics

Fred Says ... Take Four Bites Off of the Apple

100 Black Men of Metro New Orleans Elect 2016 Officers

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Be Aware of Tax Identity Theft

Biking Against Traffic is Dangerous

By Deborah Banda

When you ride against traffic, you're riding the wrong way. Someone driving a car makes a right turn from a side street, driveway, or parking lot, and

they drive right into you. The person driving didn't see you on your bicycle because they were looking for on-coming car traffic only on their left, not on their right. They had no reason to expect that someone would be coming at them from the wrong direction.

Riding against traffic may seem like a good idea because the person riding the bike can see the cars that are passing them, but it's not. The above scenario is the clearest example of why this is a dangerous activity. In urban communities across the nation, biking against traffic is consistently one of the top 3 reasons for crashes involving someone on a bicycle.

Don't ride against traffic. Ride in the same direction as traffic. Lastly, riding the wrong way is against the law. You can get ticketed for it, and you will be at fault in the event of a crash.

Stay safe, stay legal. Ride in the same direction as traffic.

Every two seconds, someone’s identity is stolen. And with tax season upon us, con artists are stealing Social Security numbers to file for fraudulent tax refunds. It’s a big problem. To date, the IRS has identified around 15 million false tax returns alone. For more information on the latest trends in tax identify theft, check out AARP’s

Fraud Watch Network. And you can also view targeted information and a special video devoted to tax identity theft awareness at www.aarp.org/scamalert.

The Warning SignsHow do you know if you’re a victim of tax identity theft? If someone files a

fraudulent tax return using your identification, and then you file your return, the IRS will contact you by mail. The letter will state that more than one return was filed using your Social Security number. Note that the IRS will not contact you by phone, email, text or social media. You can check the legitimacy of any IRS mailing by calling 1-800-829-1040.

You’ll also get an IRS notice if someone uses your Social Security number to get a job, and the employer reports that income to the IRS using your number. The letter will indicate that you did not report all of your earnings on your tax return. Another warning sign could be receiving a W-2 or Form 1099 from an employer for whom you didn’t work.

If You Fall Victim If you become a victim of tax identity theft, here are the steps to take:

• Contact the IRS immediately using the contact information on the notice you received. You’ll be asked to fill out an IRS Identity Theft affidavit, Form 14039.

• Contact your bank and credit card companies and inform the credit bureaus of the fraud. Ask one credit bureau -- Experian, TransUnion or Equifax – to place a free fraud alert on your report, and the others will follow. A fraud alert lasts 90 days, but you can renew it.

• Access your credit report free from all three credit bureaus. Ask the bureau that places your fraud alert how to obtain your reports.

• File an Identity Theft report with the Federal Trade Commission. This will help you get fraudulent information removed from your credit report and stop companies from trying to collect debts related to fraudulent activity.

• File a police report. Bring the form you filed with the FTC to the police.

Tips for Avoiding Tax Identify TheftIt’s becoming ever more difficult to protect our identities, but here are some steps you can take to protect yourself and your family:

• Monitor your credit reports. You can order free reports from all three credit bureaus once a year at www.annualcreditreport.com.

• Never give your Social Security number or other personal information to phone callers.

• If you file your tax return electronically, be sure to use a private, protected wireless network. Filing your return from the local coffee shop, library or other public place is not a good idea.

• Provide information to your tax preparer in person – avoid sending a fax that may easily be seen by someone else.

• Shred papers that contain sensitive personal information.

Hopefully, you will never encounter any form of identity theft. Make sure to protect your personal information to the best of your ability, and know what to do if you’ve been victimized.

Sign up for the Fraud Watch Network at www.aarp.org/FraudWatchNetwork to get the latest information on ID theft and scams. You can also call the Fraud Watch Network Hotline at 877-908-3360

to get your questions answered directly from trained volunteers. And for help with filing taxes safely, see information about AARP’s Tax Aide program at www.aarp.org/TaxAide.

My name Keith Holt (email, [email protected]). I’m the Community Education Manager for Bike Easy. This is just one tip for safer cycling from Bike Easy, the local, grassroots nonprofit that makes bicycle riding in Greater New Orleans easier, safer and more fun for everyone. Find out more at www.bikeeasy.org

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You’ll feel like you’re talking to

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101 on Scaling Your Business Operations and Process MappingI

n the first Trep Tip we discussed how to construct a value proposition—distilling the fundamental premise of your business into the problem you’re solving, the solution, and the corresponding price. Nailing down a value proposition is complicated, and will likely require a number of different

iterations. But at a certain point you will hone in on your solution, and if all three components align you should begin to see early traction. So what’s next?

The simple answer is to scale your business. But what does that mean, and how do you do it?

At the end of the day, everything you do in your business is a process. Whether it be the series of steps to create your product in a manufacturing plant or the strategy you use as an individual to pitch to customers, there are systems and patterns that any successful business must standardize and replicate as they scale. One of the things that every entrepreneur must do is get these processes out of their brain and onto paper. This is called process flow mapping.

Eventually you will want to illustrate all the processes of your business, everything from payroll to outbound sales. But to begin with, you should focus on the key operations of your business, the ones that drive the value proposition.

Let’s consider an example. Jim runs a donut shop. He just opened up a few months ago and people are starting to take notice. His donuts are not only delicious, but they are incredibly fresh, a product of them being made daily in the back of the shop. His value proposition—delicious, fresh donuts—allows him to set higher price points than his corporate donut competitors. The initial traction of his shop has Jim excited about the potential for expanding his business. How should he begin thinking about this growth opportunity?

1. Identify processes that drive the value proposition:

There are many processes that go into running the donut shop, including making the donuts, fulfilling the orders, providing customer service, marketing the business, and ensuring quality of his product. Ultimately he will want to document and improve

all of these, but when it comes to driving the value proposition, it is

the making of fresh donuts that is the most important.

2. Document and understand these processes through process flows.Making the donuts:

Jim sits down with his employee who runs the back of the house at the shop and together they map out the process of making donuts in the back of the store.

3. Evaluate how processes will have to change as you scale.If customer flow increases by 50%:

• Surplus batter and glazes needs to be prepared at the beginning of the day to deal with the demand at peak times.

If Jim’s Donuts expands to a second location:• Donut batter and glazes will be made in a central kitchen and delivered

to each location. However, each shop will continue to fry and glaze their own donuts, maintaining the freshness that clients are expecting.

Example updated process flow:

Supporting Processes: • Jim then can ask himself, given these new processes, how supporting

processes will also need to change as the business scales:• Should he change the service model, expanding from one employee

behind the counter to one that takes orders, another that calls out numbers, and a third bussing tables and prepping the kitchen?

• Should he invite his cash register to the 21st century, begin to accept credit cards as well as cash?

4. Proactively implement changes to achieve growth goals.

Equipped with knowledge of where the business is headed, Jim can evaluate his goals and begin to proactively implement the necessary changes. Maybe he posts a job to begin the hiring process. Maybe he starts looking at available real estate for a second location. Regardless, by planning ahead he will be better positioned for bringing his deliciously fresh donuts to the masses.

Well, that’s the 101 on scaling your operations and process mapping. Have a great week and thanks for reading!

Here’s what I would recommend:1. Identify the processes within your business that are direct drivers of the value proposition. 2. Document and understand these processes through process flows.3. Evaluate how these processes will have to change as you scale.4. Proactively implement changes to achieve growth goals.

› › › ›Make Batter

PrepareGlazes

Roll & Cut Dough

Fry Donuts

Glaze & Powder Donuts

Glaze & Powder Donuts

››

›MakeBatterOFFSITE

ON-SITE

PrepareGlazes

Pack &Deliver

› ›Roll & CutDough

FryDonuts

trepwise is an impact consulting firm whose mission is to use entrepreneurial thinking and approaches to grow and sustain for-profit and non-profit organizations by providing innovative and practical solutions.

JIM'S

F

RESH DONUTS

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7The Trumpet | April/May | 2016

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9The Trumpet | April/May | 2016

Leger’s motivations have come into question, with many speculating he has put forth this bill in the hopes of affecting the field in the next New Orleans mayoral race and restricting who is legally permitted to cast votes in the race. What Leger does not consider, is that former convicted felons turn their lives around every day. There are countless

“success stories” about men and women who found new motivations while serving their sentences and reentered society in the most positive ways. Many former convicts complete college degrees, write books, serve as motivational speakers - all methods of giving back and making the most of their second chance. Maybe Walt Leger does not believe in second chances. Perhaps, Walt Leger believes the concept of redemption is just a fairytale.

Last year when former State Senator Derrick Shepherd qualified to run for the Louisiana House of Representatives, he faced an uphill battle from the beginning. Shepherd, a Marrero lawyer who once held public office, is a former convicted felon. Legally, Shepherd was barred from seeking or holding public office in Louisiana. Shepherd successfully challenged that law, all the way up to the Louisiana Supreme Court.

The Louisiana Supreme Court voted almost unanimously to strike the law down. Now Walt Leger has taken it upon himself to “fix” the law and once again deny a second chance to every reformed inmate.

Leger’s bill even goes a step further; Leger wants to prohibit former convicted felons from accepting an “appointment of honor, trust, or profit”. This is the sort of vague wording that gives unscrupulous officials broad power and discretion often resulting in dire consequences for black people. We should be creating pathways for people to become productive citizens, not chronic trouble makers.

In Louisiana, former convicted felons can be admitted to practice law. There is no ban on admittance to the legal community; as long as a candidate has the requisite education, the only stipulation is that the candidate for bar admission "bears the burden of proving his or her good moral character and fitness to practice law by clear and convincing evidence". Leger, a lawyer himself, knows that many lawyers are admitted to practice in this state while having less than stellar records — usually from acts done during their juvenile years or during their undergraduate studies (on spring break, for instance).

Not only does Leger intend to restrict who can seek or hold public office, Leger’s bill will also suppress the voting rights of convicted felons who have served their time in prison. By leaving in one line of the old law, Leger will keep at least 70,000 ex-felons off the voting rolls because they are currently on probation or parole.

Proof of over policing in the African American community is undeniable. Here’s an interesting fact: 85% of the people detained in jail in New Orleans are black, while the black population in New Orleans is closer to 60%. Unless Leger offers changes, his bill would deny 100% of them full citizenship even after they have paid their debt to society.

Law Would Make Black Men Second Class CitizensBy Jeff Thomas & Timothy Ray

New Orleans lawmaker Walt Leger, a democrat state party leader who represents a majority-minority district, has introduced legislation that would cripple the voting rights of black males in Louisiana: House Bill 153

Not only does Leger intend to restrict

who can seek or hold public office, Leger’s bill will also suppress

the voting rights of convicted felons who

have served their time in prison.

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The Trumpet | April/May | 201610

Jonathan A. Wilson is a proud New Orleans native with extensive experience in finance, community and economic development, organizing and education advocacy. Wilson has served the banking and financial services industry in a variety of leadership roles while at Liberty Bank and Trust Company. A graduate of St. Augustine High School and Wheeling Jesuit University with a degree in Political and Economic Philosophy, Wilson hopes to bring a different perspective to the organization as President.

Aaron Jackson, Jr. is a business owner with strong ties to the community. Jackson is an IT manager that has worked in information technology for the past 15 years. As a co-founder of the grass roots organization ACE Jackson is no stranger to working with the community. Jackson is the president elect of the 100 Black Men of Metro New Orleans.

Michael Wallace a New Orleans native with considerable knowledge in accounting. A graduate of Loyola University in Accounting Wallace has been in banking for the last 18 years. While working at Liberty Bank and

Trust Company Wallace has maintained several different roles. Wallace is the treasurer of the 100 Black Men of Metro New Orleans.

Robert Mitchell, Jr. is a New Orleans native who graduated from Warren Easton. Mitchell attended from Alabama State University with a Bachelors in Management. Mitchell has been the registrar/director of records and registration at Dillard University for the last three years. Mitchell is the parliamentarian of the 100 Black Men of Metro New Orleans chapter.

Patrick L. Anderson a graduate of L.E. Rabouin High was born and raised in New Orleans. Anderson is an Early Childhood Educator that has devoted more than two decades to the New Orleans Public Schools and Recovery School District. Holding memberships in many religious, civic, and fraternal organizations Anderson knows what it takes to lend a helping hand in the community. Anderson is the immediate past president of the 100 Black Men of Metro New Orleans chapter.

Elect 2016 Officers The New Orleans chapter of 100 Black Men today announced its new slate of officers for 2016. The organization’s new officers include:

Pictured from left to right: James Logan, Walter Wright, Aaron Jackson Jr., Kevin Hill, Patrick Anderson, Michael Wallace, Robert Mitchell Jr., Eric Griggs, Jonathan A. Wilson

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11The Trumpet | April/May | 2016

Elect 2016 Officers

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The Trumpet | April/May | 201612

The Things We ShouldBe Considering

Should Charters Go Back to the District?

As I prepared to participate on a parent panel for family engagement hosted by the National League of Cities, I came across an article, “Why should New Orleans charter schools return to the Orleans Parish School District?” Given that two of my children attend charter schools that are now under the Orleans

Parish School District (Edna Karr and Andrew H. Wilson) and one of my sons attends KIPP Renaissance, a school contemplating the move, I was intrigued to read what Andre Perry's thoughts were on the matter.

After reading the article, I knew that I had to spring into action. I had to provide a parent’s perspective to the question of whether New Orleans charter schools should return to the Orleans Parish School District.

Perry says, “Ultimately putting a school district back together again will be more instructive for the rest of the country than learning how New Orleans broke one up.” Does Dr. Perry believe that a valid reason for moving schools between governing bodies is to act as an instructional tool for the rest of the country? I wonder if he knows that there are students that attend those schools whose futures depend on these actions. I also would be interested in knowing if he thinks that learning about how “New Orleans broke one up” is a matter that should be taken lightly. Many children, families, neighborhoods and communities were affected by those actions and the script shouldn't be read around the country. I think he is off base with this idea; the New Orleans Public School system is not a sideshow exhibit.

It is also wrong that he doesn't mention parents, guardians or community support and engagement when making any of these crucial moves between RSD and OPSB.

I believe the only reason a school governing body should be in existence is to serve students and their families—if it is lacking in that area, then it is failing. Changing the governing body of charter schools that serve some of the most at risk students in our city may not be the best way to conduct experiments on educating students. The notion of aspiring to be the highest performing school district in the nation is nice and the expectations are great, but the nurturing of our most precious resources shouldn't fall victim to the chase of an immoderate dream.

As a parent, I would like to offer the governing bodies of New Orleans public schools some useful advice when deciding whether the Orleans Parish School District should control charter schools.

• The Recovery School District, Orleans Parish School Board and the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education should clearly identify themselves to students and parents, including which schools they are operating, which schools have transferred and what schools are slated to transfer.

• Many times these potential governing bodies do not communicate clearly with the students and families that they serve.

• Vital meetings are often held during school hours which limits the number of parents, guardians and community stakeholders who can attend. This practice should be amended to better suit parents, guardians and community.

These suggestions are just a few thoughts that are brought up when I engage the families of New Orleans charter schools. I also have strong feelings about these moves and the implementation of the process. I believe that RSD should not relinquish control if the movement is not seamless and won't affect students’ daily academic lives. The communication not only between these two governing bodies but also to families should be transparent throughout the process. The Orleans Parish School District should initiate a campaign inviting parents to see the changes that have been made and what the future holds for students and families of district schools. The Orleans Parish School District should agree to perform regulatory duties that assist schools in daily operations but also

give autonomy to the charter management organization. Administrators and educators at charter schools should also have the freedom to make critical academic choices for the betterment of their student body. The RSD and the Orleans Parish School District should commit to actively communicate and collaborate in working through the flaws of the ONEAPP system in order to ensure the best outcomes for families.

I hope these agencies combine their talent and resources in producing the best outcomes for the families and children of New Orleans.

The Orleans Parish School District should

initiate a campaign inviting parents to see the changes that have been made and what

the future holds for students and families

of district schools.

By Lamont Douglas

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The Things We ShouldBe Considering L

ots of us, myself included, grew up hearing our parents warn us about who’s paying the rent instead of about who owns the house. Because of this, generation after generation, we learned to focus on immediate finances instead of on the big picture. We then apply this same mentality when it comes to our tax refunds—we immediately buy ourselves some

nice things or maybe we pay off a few bills. Now, I’m not here to discourage paying off bills, but I do have some better strategies to go about maximize the usefulness of your return to improve your financial position, ones that take the big picture into consideration. I call it taking four bites off of the apple.

A nice-sized tax refund is a fantastic opportunity to improve your credit history—which is your record of paying your bills responsibly. Why should you care about that record? Because down the line, if you want to buy a house, a shoddy credit history can result in your loan being denied. If you manage to get approved for a home loan anyway, poor credit will result in higher interest rates and insurance costs. And don’t think you’re off the hook if buying a home isn’t in your future plans: auto dealers,

landlords, and potential employers also check credit, so a bad history can mean losing that car, apartment, or job you had your heart set on.

So why not simply use that tax refund to pay off your outstanding bills? Because while creditors are happy to get the money, they aren’t as happy to help you out in return. Whether it’s an intentional punishment or it’s just the nature of the process, reporting that you’re up to date on payments can come very slowly. It might not show up on your credit history for months and months. So when your tax refund comes, instead of just paying off debt, try one of these smart tricks to pay off a bill (or three) and become the master of your own credit history at the same time:

Take Out a Savings Secured LoanImagine you have $4,000 in your savings account after your tax refund

arrives. You can now take out a savings secured loan of, say, $3,000 against that amount. Immediately deposit that money back into your account, and then set it up for automatic repayment of the loan. By doing this, you’ve accomplished a few things: you’re collecting interest on the money you’ve deposited, the bank is reporting on your responsible payment history to credit bureaus, and you’re establishing a relationship with your bank which can come in handy should you decide to purchase a home down the line.

Use a Secured Credit Card Instead of a Debit Card to Pay Your Debts

Credit card use builds credit history; debit card use does not. So instead of having your tax return deposited to our checking account, place it into a

secured credit card account that you will then use in place of your debit card. If you know that you pay a certain amount of bills with your debit card every month, schedule an automatic payment to your new secured credit card for that amount every month. Look for cards that don’t charge fees and/or cards that pay rewards on spending. With a secured credit card, you can’t overspend, and again, the bank will be making positive reports that improve your credit history. It’s another win-win.

The arrival of a tax refund can be the turning point for improving your credit. This tax season, particularly if you’re a parent, make sure you take advantage of earned income tax credits because qualifying for these will become more difficult very soon. Getting the biggest refund possible and taking a forward-thinking approach to using that money can, down the line, mean the difference between telling your kids “I pay the rent around here” and telling them “I own this house.” And that’s another win-win: you’ve improved your situation and are turning the tide on some generational financial lessons to boot.

Fred Says ... Take Four Bites Off of the AppleBy The New Orleans Neighborhood Development Foundation

I’m not here to discourage paying off bills, but I do

have some better strategies to go about maximize the usefulness of your return to improve your

financial position, ones that take the big picture into

consideration. I call it taking four bites off of the apple.

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The Trumpet | April/May | 201614

UNLOCKING THE DOOR

TO CIVIC ENGAGEMENT2016 Presidential Election and Congressional Primary Election Dates

• Last day to register to vote for Presidential Election 10/11/2016

• Presidential Election and Congressional Primary Election are 6 a.m. through 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016

Information for the April 9th Election, Municipal General

• Early voting will be March 26th - April 2nd, excluding Sunday the 27th. Hours of operation will be from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

• Early voting locations include: City Hall, Algiers Court House, Chef Menteur Warehouse, and Spanish Fort Community Center (addresses can be found on our Early Voting tab found on the left side on this page).

• Deadline to register to vote is March 9th, 2016.

• Deadline to request absentee by mail ballot is April 5th. Please be reminded to submit your request as soon as possible to ensure time for postal delivery and return before the deadline. All absentee ballots are due by April 8th, 4:30 p.m. (excluding military and oversea

REGAINING RIGHT TO VOTE FOLLOWING A FELONY SENTENCE

• Convicted felons who have completed all the terms of their sentence have the right to register to vote.

• Obtain documentation of sentence completion in person at the Louisiana Office of Probation and Parole, New Orleans District, 731 St. Charles Ave., 3rd floor, New Orleans, LA 70130.

• Take the documentation to the Voter Registrar's Office in City Hall. 1300 Perdido Street, Rm. 1W23

• Complete the registration form and receive your voter registration card.

VOTER REGISTRATION PROBLEMS

• Call 658-8300, Office of the Orleans Parish Registrar of Voters, if there are problems with your voter registration.

ELECTION PROCESS PROBLEMS

• Call 658-9000, Office of the Orleans Parish Clerk of Court to report problems with the election process.

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15The Trumpet | April/May | 2016

Keys of Civic Engagement Include

• Community problem solving• Regular volunteering for a non-electoral organization• Active membership in a group or association• Participation in fund-raising run/walk/ride• Other fund-raising for charity• Run for Political office• Symbolic Non-Participation

Keys of Civic Engagement (Electoral) Include

• Regular voting• Persuading others to vote• Displaying buttons, signs, stickers• Campaign contributions• Volunteering for candidate or political organizations• Registering voters

Keys of Civic Engagement (Political Voice) Include

• Contacting officials• Contacting the print media• Contacting the broadcast media Protesting• Email petitions• Written petitions and canvassing• Boycotting

Page 16: Civic Engagement Decoded

The Trumpet | April/May | 201616

Continuing a Legacy of Cooperative Economics

New Orleans Black Masking Indian Culture Forms Cooperative

In 1907 W. E. B. Dubois hosted a conference on Negro Businesses and Cooperatives at Atlanta University. He was known to have hosted several conferences addressing cooperative economic sustainability in Black communities. DuBois believed that because African Americans were economically discriminated against due to racism, we could not achieve

such. At the conference he delivered a speech and a quote from that speech addressed a pertinent issue of today. He said, “We unwittingly stand at the crossroads—should we go the way of capitalism and try to become individually rich as capitalists, or should we go the way of cooperatives and economic cooperation where we and our whole community could be rich together?”

The New Orleans Black Mardi Gras Indians Cooperative (The Co-Op), formed out of necessity, is a collective of Black masking Indian Nations and organizations working together in the spirit of history and culture to promote economic sustainability through job and wealth creation in the New Orleans African American community. Its foundation is built upon the Ujamaa Principle (4th Principle of the Nguzo Saba –Kwanzaa): To build

and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together. Its formation is an historic endeavor in the City of New Orleans with extraordinary potential to change the conversation on indigenous culture, economic sustainability and empowerment of New Orleans African American culture bearers and working class.

Unique in concept, the New Orleans Black Mardi Gras Indians Cooperative does not function as a “normal” cooperative, as each member is an individual contractor that receives compensation for his/her goods, with a percentage going to the Co-Op. By positioning themselves as a collective, the Co-Op serves each member’s personal economic needs, controls goods and services, increases income and wealth and sustains communities where culture bearers live in African American neighborhoods. More importantly, the Co-Op recognizes that the tradition of masking goes beyond the social organization of community and that it has exchange value in local, state, national and international cultural economies. The Co-Op’s intent is to surpass social and cultural value of race and politics; and link members of the Indian Nations to opportunities for individual wealth, and provide a system for sustainability of the culture through cooperative economics-Ujamaa. The Cooperative is open to all members of the Black masking Indian nations to equally share in wealth

and created economic opportunities. The Co-Op is for us by us, building on our talents, spirituality, discipline, and authenticity toward true economic transformation.

Rooted in the spirit of empowerment and resistance to oppression that dates back to the 1700’s, the ritual of New Orleans Black masking Indians (New Orleans Black Mardi Gras Indians), a New Orleans indigenous African masking tradition, to hand stitch elaborate suits, requiring months of detailed sequin and beading, stoning, and stitching work—on Carnival Day, to take to the streets of their neighborhoods, in celebration of the amalgamation of Native Americans of Southeast Louisiana and the enslaved. The ritual of masking on Carnival Day was once a time to settle old scores between rival gangs (tribes). However, giving reverence to Allison “Big Chief Tootie” Montana, today it is all about aesthetics - the power of the needle and thread –to be the prettiest.

The history of the first organized Black masking Indians dates back to the late 1800’s, however, the Louisiana Code Noire (Black Code) was a decree originally passed by France's King Louis XIV in 1685. In 1722, the first known escape of a slave from a plantation took place. The Choctaw, Seminoles and Chickasaws tribes in Louisiana were responsible for freeing some of the Africans from slavery. With the Indians’ help, Africans learned to survive off the land and lived in the forest, which later came to be known as Maroon Camps. In 1724 Governor Bienville forbade blacks from wearing feathers.

In 2013, recognizing the social organization and

discipline of the Black masking Indians, NewCorp, Inc. (a private, non-profit Community Development Financial Institution) created a consensus driven space to convene the tribes in a structured facilitated discussion on replacing competition with cooperation and cooperative economics. Under NewCorp’s umbrella, the New Orleans Black Mardi Gras Indians Cooperative was officially established in March 2014 and owned by 18 Black masking Indian Nations and affiliates. The business model includes sales of one-of-a-kind authentic Indian suits, as well as the deconstruction of authentic Black masking Indian suits and transforming them into collectible fine art pieces; manufacturing, marketing, and selling merchandise as a brand to the open market.

The New Orleans Black Mardi Gras

Indians Cooperative was officially

established in March 2014 and owned by

18 Black masking Indian Nations and

affiliates.

Page 17: Civic Engagement Decoded

17The Trumpet | April/May | 2016

Annually, millions of tourists come to our city to take part in the celebratory traditions of Carnival, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage, and Satchmo Festivals, to name a few. However, while there has been intentional marketing of indigenous rituals and cultural practices of African American culture bearers, strategically, there has been an under-utilization of their unique assets, which has limited the cultural economic impact on job creation opportunities and overall economic development and sustainability specifically in the African American community. The Co-Op acknowledges the need to connect art, culture, and

economic development and is working towards becoming a change agent by creating and promoting a business standard that not only recognizes practitioners as cultural assets to tourism and New Orleans’ business community, but put in place systems-procedures that ensure compensation and opportunities to transfer their cultural skills and knowledge into products and services that offer growth potential.

The Black masking Indians are not only culture bearers in African American neighborhoods, but also a celebrated attraction for New Orleans’ cultural tourism and a vital component of the Carnival experience part of New Orleans unique tourism market -- an authentic experience that validates the brand marketing of the city as one of the top tourism destinations in North America. The Black masking Indians are a part and parcel of New Orleans’ Carnival experience, which generates over $20 million in government revenue and over $1 billion in spending from tourists and locals alike. Although the Black masking Indians are a major attraction, they have not benefited economically from their skills and artistry.

The City of New Orleans reported the results of a survey conducted by its Office of Innovation that 52% of working age African American men are unemployed; over 40% have criminal records and only 28% reported drugs use as a barrier. With the City’s high unemployment rate for African Americans, and particularly African-American men, the intent is to create quality, sustainable jobs for members of the Black masking Indian Nations and others in the community, including ex-offenders; and the New Orleans Black Mardi Gras Indians Cooperative stands ready and equipped for the task.

The Co-Op was birthed and incubated with care under the guidance of NewCorp, Inc., which provided human resources, unlimited access to experts in the visual arts, business and non-profit professions, and a place to host meetings and conduct business. While organic, every stage of development has been guided by authentic engagement, best practices, and monetary support of believers/funders. In three years, the New Orleans Black Mardi Gras Indians Cooperative has worked diligently to transform one-of-a kind creations of the masking tradition into a pathway to wealth and job creation for culture bearers. It participated in the selling of its pieces of artwork at the 2014 and 2015 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festivals, and was received with rave reviews.

There is opportunity within Black communities; the New Orleans Black Mardi Gras Indians Cooperative seeks to tap into the economic capacity of culture bearers and African American neighborhoods. The membership recognizes that Black communities cannot build wealth by being just consumers; they must generate and distribute goods and services in order to create wealth and economic stability in their communities.

W.E.B. Dubois, also referred to as a fierce warrior, pushed black people to develop cooperatives so that all Black people could get rich together. He was concerned and afraid that we were choosing the wrong path to economic growth–capitalism by choosing individualism. Well, the New Orleans Black Mardi Gras Indians Cooperative has chosen to do otherwise.

The New Orleans Black Mardi Gras Indians Cooperative will be at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in Congo Square

on April 28–May 1, 2016. See you there!

Contact information on the New Orleans Black Mardi Gras Indians Cooperative [email protected]

Continuing a Legacy of Cooperative Economics

Page 18: Civic Engagement Decoded

The Trumpet | April/May | 201618

“Hi! I’m Ra’Son’s mom, Ramie, nice to meet you.” It’s the same sentence

I’ve uttered every August for the last four years, the same one my daughter’s teachers have heard from hundreds of other parents. But what they don’t know (yet) is that I’m a different kind of parent. I’m a ‘helicopter’ parent. And that means we are going to get to know each other. Really well.

The history of my helicoptering goes back to my daughter’s pre-kindergarten days. While Ra’Son was in pre-k, her teacher and I exchanged notes every day. She was genuinely concerned about the education of my child. She knew I was anxious and attempted to make things easier by being proactive in our conversations. I appreciated her directness and honesty when I had questions. While this was part of her class structure, it set the parent/teacher engagement bar high for future teachers.

Her kindergarten teacher was very different. My impression was that she was burnt out. We didn’t communicate daily, and she often gave one-word responses to my questions. She avoided parent-teacher conferences unless she got pressure from the principal. One time, when Ra’Son was confused about her homework, I asked her teacher how a lesson was presented in class (so I could use similar vocabulary or methods at home). She told me that if my daughter didn’t learn it in class then I shouldn’t have a problem teaching it to her myself. Every day, I worried about what Ra’Son was or wasn’t learning. Thankfully for other families, the teacher moved on after that year.

Since then, I’ve encountered a range of engagement styles. Her first grade teacher was super engaged with the parents, but not so much with the students. She called during the holiday to see how Ra’Son progressed through an enrichment packet, but didn’t follow up on her promise to listen to each child read a book that they brought to school. She talked to me about referring Ra’Son to be evaluated for 504 accommodations, but never did the paperwork to move it past the referral stage. On the other hand, I absolutely loved her second grade teacher. She welcomed new ideas and explicitly told parents how we could support her during the week on the homework sheet. I would have paid her salary myself, if I could have, to convince her to teach third grade.

Because my experience was so inconsistent, I felt like I had to be involved and on top of things all the time. It didn’t help that my field of work was also education. That only made me that much more aware of how important Ra’Son’s

experience in school was. As a former school counselor, I worried that she would somehow end up like some of the students I worked with previously – behind in school, pregnant, in jail, or even worse – dead. My work and life experiences taught me that I had to be heavily involved—no immersed—in my child’s life to ensure that she would have all the necessary skills to be a well-rounded, successful adult.

So what do I do? For one thing, I ask questions. A lot of questions. I ask about the quality of instruction. I ask for clarification on homework or about general school observations. I’m highly engaged. I attend virtually every meeting and parent-teacher conference. I verify her teacher’s certification every year. I have links to resources that will help me understand what she is supposed to be learning. I know all about what Ra’Son is doing and what’s happening at school. If she’s getting off track, you know I’ll be on it. My attention to her school also extends beyond her. If another parent has a school-related question, there’s a good chance I’ll know the answer. If you want to know what other parents are really thinking, you know you’ll hear the truth from me. And if you’re doing right by my daughter, I will be behind you all the way. If not, bless your heart.

The thing is, with helicopter parenting, there are pros and cons. In terms of pros, I’ve been lucky enough to have jobs that allow me the flexibility to tend to my child’s life both academically and culturally. There are times when her school provides me with information before I get a chance to ask simply because they know I’m going to ask. I get a call when my daughter leaves her glasses at

Confessions of a Helicopter MomBy Rameisha “Ramie” Johnson

The thing is, with

helicopter parenting,

there are pros and cons.

Page 19: Civic Engagement Decoded

19The Trumpet | April/May | 2016

Join us on April 5, 2016 to celebrate this year’s class of New Orleans parent

and child leaders, and applaud their amazing accomplishments.

2016 Parent GraduatesMr. Patrick Anderson | Ms. Benita Cochran | Ms. Gwendolyn CookMr. Lamont Douglas | Mrs. Anthonika Gidney | Ms. Merline Kimble Ms. Regineka Tassin | Ms. Sheana Turner | Ms. Domonique Tyson

Ms. Kendra Andrus | Ms. Lashandra Caldwell | Ms. Kimberly DejanMr. Duane Gidney | Ms. Janice Kimble | Mr. Marshall Rutledge

Ms. Jennifer Taylor | Ms. Marceia Walker

2016 Child GraduatesMiss Mikaela Dejan | Mr. Elijah Evans | Miss Malia Nickles | Miss Myla Tassin

Mr. Jaiden Turner | Miss Diamond Francois | Mr. Devin Francois | Mr. Damon Francois

RSVP at bit.ly/fltinola2016A program of Orleans Public Education Network | www.opennola.org

home. They know my family so well that we have an understanding on a number of common occurrences. And I feel sure that my daughter will get the education she needs—because I’m making sure of it.

On the other hand, it’s exhausting. I can’t calculate the number of hours I’ve spent researching best practices by grade level, printing enrichment materials,

going to meetings, and so much more. Being at the school so frequently might seem like a plus, but I know it can also feel like I’m intruding or being overbearing. It’s a lot for my daughter, too. I worry sometimes that I’m not giving her as much space as she needs to make mistakes and grow. And I worry that other students at her school may not get the same attention she does, because their parents aren’t as hyper-focused as I am.

The truth is, I don’t want to be a helicopter parent. I’d

rather be more like a drone—quieter, smaller, and less intrusive. I still want to visit my child’s school regularly, but more by invitation, with specific times and reasons to visit. I want to be able to allow my child the room to put into practice all that we’ve taught her and to make mistakes while it’s still safe to do so.

I want Ra’Son’s teachers and school staff to think of me as a useful partner, not a squeaky wheel.

One of the biggest ways that schools and teachers could help reduce helicoptering would be by communicating a lot more clearly and consistently with parents—about what’s going on at school, about what our children are learning and how they’re progressing, about how we can help at home. Then we might not worry so much or feel the need to hover so close. My school has gotten a lot better about this and I’ve found my own ways to get the information I need, but what about other parents?

I know shifting from a helicopter parent to a drone parent will take work. I’m ready to do my part and take a step back. My question is, are schools ready to step forward?

The truth is, I don’t want to be a helicopter parent. I’d rather be more

like a drone—quieter, smaller,

and less intrusive.

Rameisha “Ramie” Johnson is a New Orleans native, proud mom and veteran school counselor and enrollment advisor. As a Navigator, she currently focuses on supporting parents across New Orleans throughout the school choice and enrollment process. She holds a BA in Sociology and an M.Ed in School Counseling from the University of New Orleans. You can follow Ramie’s blog www.ednavigator.com

Page 20: Civic Engagement Decoded

The Trumpet | April/May | 201620

As a recent addition to the New Orleans community – having moved here from California after my recent college graduation – I have been observing the election happenings in the city from an outsider perspective. As a registered Democrat, I spend more of my time considering the Democratic happenings around the city, curious as

to what entities are endorsing who, and how the party mobilizes itself in order to ensure the largest turnout of voters, etc. Moving from a strongly Blue State into a Red State, I had no idea what to expect in terms of voter turnout and engagement – after all, I thought, people already seem to find enough reasons not to vote claiming that their vote “doesn't matter” in the long run, so what were democrats to feel in a state like Louisiana?

Although I was relatively well informed about the national happenings of the Democratic Party having spent some time volunteering for the Bernie campaign, the local politics of Orleans Parish itself remained quite a mystery to me. A few days before the March 5th primary however, a coworker dropped a leaflet on my desk. Looking down I saw a vertical row of eleven faces staring up at me under the magnanimous title – “The Better Leadership Ticket.” I paused looking over the flyer. Who were these people with districts assigned to them by letter? I was surprised to see that New Orleans was voting for people besides the respective Democratic or Republican candidates, and I curiously flipped the page over to find out more. What I read next pushed me to take a deeper interest in this group of strangers.

It read, in all caps, “WHY WE SUPPORT THESE CANDIDATES ...”

• The present Democratic Committee has not protected the interested of the citizens of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana.

• The present Democratic Committee draw district lines to protect their elected seats for re-election and not in the interest of the People…”Gerrymandering”.

• The present Democratic Committee has NOT demanded the return of Neighborhood Polling Precincts for easier voting access and citizen participation.

• The present Democratic Committee refuses to hold forms or workshops regarding Voter Education.

• These endorsed Candidates will STOP the Family Nepotism and “Cliques” in the seats held by the present Democratic Committee and their family members.

The final bullet point, a grand mission statement for these eleven faces –

“It’s Time We Bring The Democratic Party And It’s Interests Back To The People” – solidified my desire to know more about this group.

Who, I thought, took the Democratic Party away from the people in the first place? And who was this mysterious entity, the Democratic Committee, which seemed to be wreaking havoc on the rights of the people and the ability of

the party to function equitably and inclusively? Confident in my researching skills and political wherewithal, having recently earned my dual degree in the humanities and social sciences from the University of California, I presumed that I would be able to come to a quick and comprehensive understanding of this group. This was not, in any way, the case. Had this been a report for school that I was meant to turn in that gave a complete overview of this group – the Orleans Parish Democratic Executive Committee (OPDEC) – it would have been a very short report.

OPDEC has three main online platforms, as most organizations and groups do today: their own website, Facebook, and Twitter. I started with their website, but was quickly discouraged in thinking that I could find anything worthwhile

there. Besides their mission statement on the first page reading, “Orleans Parish Democratic Executive Committee is committed to building a strong neighborhood-based Democratic Party by using the civic involvement fostered in post-Katrina rebuilding to serve the Democratic community in New Orleans,” there was very little information available on the actual function of the group. Moreover, I gave up quickly on the utility of the website when I realized that the most recent updates were made to announce the 2014 meeting dates, which were announced without a time, date, or place assigned to them. Confused by the complete lack of information on the website I moved on confidently to Facebook and Twitter, knowing as a millennial that if any group desires to have a strong social impact today, these two platforms need to be strongholds of information and engagement. Again, I was disappointed. OPDEC’s Twitter had not been updated in over nine months, and

although their Facebook included one vague reminder to “geaux vote” posted on February 24 of this year, the rest of their page lacked any information that would help me to better understand the function of the group. In addition, scrolling down their page looking at the responses to their postings over the last year with barely any likes, comments, or activity to speak of, the OPDEC online presence looked more like a ghost town façade of a group than an entity with any real impact.

This complete lack of engagement and information is not what one would expect to find from a group “committed to building a strong neighborhood-based Democratic Party” in New Orleans, especially during an election year. Frustrated, and starting to doubt my skills as a researcher, I turned to the insights of Steven Kennedy, a long-term community member who ran for OPDEC in District C this past voting period. He assured me that my confusion around OPDEC was not my fault – “very few people in New Orleans understand the function of OPDEC,” he said, “I have people with Ph. D.’s calling me to ask what OPDEC is and who they should vote for.”

Although talking to Steve made me feel better about my own researching abilities, our conversation did not elucidate or uncover any real knowledge about what power OPDEC really holds in Orleans Parish. “If nobody knows what OPDEC does and who to vote for,” I asked, “then why is there so much importance attached to these elections?” He told me that he often wondered the same thing. He did not understand why important figures, including various Louisiana state senators and representatives, were spending resources to

When the Veil Tells More than the Unveiling

OPDEC

Steven Kennedy assured me that my confusion

around OPDEC was not my fault – “very few people in New Orleans understand

the function of OPDEC,” he said, “I have people with Ph. D.’s calling me to ask what OPDEC is and who

they should vote for.”

By Eva Roodenrijs

Page 21: Civic Engagement Decoded

21The Trumpet | April/May | 2016

endorse OPDEC candidates, when the efficacy and impact of this group in the community is questionable to say the least. Steve and I were also able to commiserate on the lack of information available – he told me that he has even signed up for their email list and has never received a single email from them. When I asked him if he had ever been to a meeting, he told me that although one would expect that these meetings should be open to the public and widely publicized so that the party can better engage voters, he never could find information about them.

Overall, my inquiry into OPDEC has left me with many more questions than answers; therefore, I will begin with the answers. OPDEC as stated by its mission is the sole representative of the Democratic Party in New Orleans. Therefore, all party matters and happenings in the city depend on OPDEC to be disseminated and mobilized throughout the community. In order to carry out the mission of the party in Orleans Parish, OPDEC holds elections every four years in line with the presidential elections, electing 14 new members from every voting district in the city – A, B, C, D and E. OPDEC is required to hold four annual meetings, but it seems, at least in 2014 when there meeting dates were last posted, that they hold them monthly. Although any registered Democratic over the age of 18 can run for OPDEC, what appears to be the key in getting elected to these positions in a race where nobody really knows what is going on, is name recognition. For example, Steve told me that he lost in his own district because those that were elected were all current or previously elected officials that people in his community already knew of. In addition, other than holding these elections every four years, Steve has only seen OPDEC in the public sphere when endorsing candidates in elections. Other than this, their actual impact and function remains a mystery to most of

the Democratic community in New Orleans. The only other actions by OPDEC, or lack of actions rather, which I have encountered in my research are the grievances laid out by “The Better Leadership Ticket.” Although I cannot in any way speak to the veracity of these complaints, as no information exists in the public forum to corroborate them, they do undoubtedly stem from somewhere, and whether or not they are fully true, they do express the frustration mounting

around a group that is meant to represent the people, but also seems to work extremely hard in trying to stay away from them.

As stated previously, if this were a school report meant to explain the function of OPDEC, I would have failed. However, although I am all for personal responsibility, it also seems that in many ways the Orleans Parish Democratic Executive Committee is failing the Democrats of New Orleans in more ways than one. By remaining such a mystery – making a large public appearance only every election cycle – OPDEC seemingly fails to engage the community except when it is of benefit to themselves. The greatest question I am left with after this laborious and ultimately unfruitful journey is this: if from a community perspective the function and impact of OPDEC is little

to none, then why do those in the community, even those in places of power such as senators and representatives, place any importance whatsoever on these elections and/or this group? The only conclusion I can come up with is that there must be power attached to this group somewhere, and that power has chosen to remain hidden from me, Steve, and the greater New Orleans Democratic community. Sometimes, as with Adam and Eve, the veiling and obscuring of oneself says a lot more about an entity than anything else, and OPDEC may just fit this profile.

Overall, my inquiry into

OPDEC has left me with many

more questions than answers...

When the Veil Tells More than the Unveiling

DPEC MEMBER(S)DISTRICT A

Susan G. Guidry

Gizelle Banks

Eileen Carter

Anna Nguyen

Aylin Acikalin-Maklansky

Maple Richmond Gaines

Angelique LaCour

Leah Stevenson

Ryan Banks

Patricia Diane Frank

Sylvia M. Crier

Mindy Brickman

Mark Vicknair

Deborah Langhoff

DPEC MEMBER(S)DISTRICT B

Latoya Cantrell

Diana E. Bajoie

Samson "Skip" Alexander

Lois J. Dejean

Jay H. Banks

Felicia Kahn

Jason Cantrell

Katherine Baudouin

Avis Brock

Olander "Butch" Bajoie, Jr.

Danae Columbus

Charmaine Baker-Fox

Deirdre Martin-Lewis

Ronald Coleman, Sr.

DPEC MEMBER(S)DISTRICT C

Troy Carter

Nadine Ramsey

Gary Carter, Jr.

Joseph Broussard

Leslie Ellison

Darren Lombard

Ruth Ramsey

Morris "Moe" Reed, Jr.

Ericka Edwards-Jones

Kristin Gisleson Palmer

Lisa Ray Diggs

Morris W. Reed, Sr.

Delisha Boyd

Freddie King III

DPEC MEMBER(S)DISTRICT D

Cynthia Hedge-Morrell

Joseph Bouie, Jr.

Arthur A. Morrell

Marlon Defillo

Jared C. Brossett

Sidney H. Cates, V

Eugene Green

Catherine Dannel Cates

Sandra Green Thomas

Angele Wilson

Randy D. Greenup

Dominic Willard

Matthew A. Willard

Durrell L. Laurent

DPEC MEMBER(S)DISTRICT E

Austin Badon

Wesley Bishop

Cynthia Willard-Lewis

James A. Gray II

Charmaine L. Marchand

Alicia Plummer Clivens

Therese Badon

Kara Johnson

Shelia Collins-Stallworth

Lisa Manning Ambrose

Willie Jones

Carl A. Haydel

Frederick Bell

Raquel Greenup Richmond

DPEC ELECTED MEMBERS

Page 22: Civic Engagement Decoded

The Trumpet | April/May | 201622

“If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again!" —Sojourner Truth

Tune into Pumps, Pearls, and Politics Fridays at 1 pm on WBOK 1230 AM!

And join us for our POWERtalks created to encourage women to build more robust networks of female leaders, enhancing partisan competition, and stimulating women in public and political life.

For updates about the show, Like us on Facebook, follow me on twitter @timolynn or sign up to join the mailing list at www.onedegreeimpact.com

POWERtalks are held at: Ashe Cultural Arts Center 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.

April 19 Crosstalk: A dialogue between men and women (men are invited) May 24 TBD

Photo: Timolynn Sams Sumter

TheTrumpet

Advertise In

The Trumpet is New Orleans’ only community newspaper

written by neighborhood residents for neighborhoods about

New Orleans neighborhoods.

Email thetrumpet@npnnolato advertise.

Page 23: Civic Engagement Decoded

23The Trumpet | April/May | 2016

Are you a leader of color interested in making a positive impact in the field of education? If so, The Urban League of Greater New Orleans is excited to announce that we are taking applications for our 3rd annual ULEAD (Urban Leaders for Equity and Diversity) cohort. ULEAD is the premier training institute for leaders of color in the community on the current educational landscape in New Orleans. During this training program, participants have the opportunity to learn from many influential leaders in the field of education such as Dr. Andre Perry, Dr. Howard Fuller, Senator JP Morrell, Superintendent Henderson Lewis and many more. Alumni of the ULEAD program have gone on to join several difference charter boards, worked together on partnerships to implement programs to improve parent engagement, and have even had their works published.

If you are interested in participating, please fill out the quick information sheet link located below: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/18OqV_snrwFkPtcXkXiYnGgMZx54ojfAMZtvdZR4AwTQ/viewform.

If you would like to learn more, feel free to contact Ethan Ashley via email at

[email protected].

Page 24: Civic Engagement Decoded

The Trumpet | April/May | 201624

By Christy “CeCe” Chapman,

the author of the book,

20 Thoughts Every

Woman Should Have.

She is a New Orleans native

who is “twenty something years

of age.” Follow her on Twitter

at @CeCetheAuthor.

CeeCe Gives 2

2

thoughts aboutCecil Daltona.k.a. Ms. Seal

It is an honor to do this interview on New

Orleans business woman Cecile "Ms.

Seal" Dalton. This year is "Seal's 19th

Annual Easter Parade". Last year "Seal's

Class Act" added "Kids-N-Seniors with

a Purpose". This was added to include

children with developmental delays to be

apart as well. We couldn't forget about our

"loyal and retired" customers either, so

"Ms.Seal's" 83 year uncle affectionately

known as "Uncle B" started "Seal's Easter

Parade Bicycle Riders" which he is a

rider. This parade is so special not just

because it is on Easter, but because it

is an opportunity for the city to support

something positive that motivates the

children of our community. Not only is

this event for the kids, it is an event that

brings families together to support the

children dressed up in mini gowns and

tuxedos. This interview was very dear

to me considering the "DIVA" that I

have respected for years. A woman that

represents class, success and integrity.

Cecile Dalton known as "Ms. Seal" is

the owner of "Seal Class Act" located at

2169 Aubry St. It was an esteemed honor

to sit down in the comfort of her cozy

nightlife spot and ask 20 questions. Thru

her business and big heart, she has given

the community of New Orleans as well

as customers hope and some of the best

entertainment, bringing artists such as Jeff

Floyd, Tucka, BRW, Pokey ... some of New

Orleans soulful legends such as Lisa Amos

and Captain "Chicken" Charles. With

all that she has accomplished and "big"

things that she does, her heart of gold

continues to pump love, support, direction

and light in some people's dark spots.

While getting ready for "Seal's Social Act

& Outreach Easter Gala" this Saturday, she

took time out for our readers. Grab your

cocktail of choice and explore this woman

who has admiration of our community and

mayor a little bit.

1. What was your 1st business?

Seals Hideaway located at 2101 Duels St in the year 1995.

2. How did you know nightlife was right for you?

I didn't exactly know it was...the more I did, the better I got at it.

3. Why are you so willing to take chances and give people chances thru employment/gigs at your place ?

Growing up in a poor area having the advantage of having things I saw struggles of other people. When I was child and teenager I was very fortunate. I remember when I was about 13 I always had rollers to roll my hair, one of my cousins had to roll her hair on brown paper bags, so one day I took my own money and brought her rollers. I wanted to help people then and now. I am blessed , so I bless others.

4. How did you juggle being a wife, mother, grand-mother and business owner?

I was living in Baton Rouge, so I would have to close my bar at night and drive home every night to get the children ready for school the next day. On weekends me and the children would stay by my mom and I would drive back home on Sundays,my husband understood my vision, I was determined to make the bar work. Charles and I have successfully put our son through college and our (2) daughters are right behind him. We implement hard work and education in children. I have a grand-daughter Liyah, she is our world. She is the love of my life. She is our princess and always "Seal's Class Act Easter Parade Princess".

Cecil "Seal" Dalton and friend

Page 25: Civic Engagement Decoded

25The Trumpet | April/May | 2016

5. What neighborhood are you from? I am from the 7th ward.

6. With all the awards, political proclamations, success and acquired wealth, what do you feel is your biggest accomplishment ? have you reached it?

I haven't reached it yet...it is still more to come from me.

7. What is your motivation?

My faithful customers, the loyal ones that come everyday.... I swear I have customers that come every day (smiling)...and they don't want to leave even the next day at 6:00 A.M.

8. Who was influential in your life?

My dad . Because he was a hustler, he taught me how to work and get it...and always taught me nothing was given to me.

9. Do you have any plans for Seals or do you want to keep it "cozy" like it is?

I want to retire and turn it over to one of my children.

10. What made you start "Seal's Outreach & Pleasure Club ?

My group of parents started...when I started my 1st parade I did everything out of my pocket, so they wanted to help me thru raising money and that was show it was started.

11. How do you handle being a woman in business?

It is a great challenge because nightlife is dominated by men mostly, but I am respected. I have been in business for years, so as a woman I am doing something right.

12. What is your favorite place to visit?

New York ... because I love to shop ... OOO ... I love to shop. I love the hats. I love the designers.

13. You give a wealth of people hope and stay positive about things, how are you able to do so ?

Thru God and the support of my family especially my husband Charles ... he is so supportive and loyal.

14. Being a nightlife spot owner, what is your favorite cocktail ?

J. Roget Wine is my favorite, I like Margaritas but I am a J.Roget DIVA.

15. Can you see your self right now doing anything else ?

No ... I don't want to be anywhere else. I love dealing with the people.

16. What is something you want our readers to know about you?

I am a hard worker, I care about my community, I want to reach children, if I can reach one, that is my goal. I worked hard to get where I am.

17. What makes Seal's different from other nightlife New Orleans spots?

That we look at our customers as family. We care. My spot is my customers spot. We are a family.

18. How is it that you have been able to keep consistent customers even thru economic struggles?

I look out for my customers. I love them. They are loyal to me and my business, and I appreciate that.

19. What are some of the accomplishments you have reached with "Seals Class Act"?

I own everything in my place...pool tables, poker machines, juke box, liquor system and vending machines.

20. How do you give back to the community?

Starting off Easter is my favorite holiday and I love to do things to make the children happy, so I do my Annual Easter Parade & Egg Hunt, Back to School Drive, Christmas Toys for Tots, Feed The Homeless every 4th Saturday of the month, and also my yearly Writing Essay Scholarships.

Congratulations Cecile "Ms.Seal" Dalton on "Seal's Class Act & Pleasure Club 19th Easter Parade". The city of New Orleans supports you and appreciate all your continued efforts.

You’ll feel like you’re talking to VIRTUALLY

every neighbor in New Orleans ...

and beyond.

The new NPNnola.com

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The Trumpet | April/May | 201626

Algiers Point Association1st Thursday of the month – 7 p.m.Visit www.algierspoint.org for location.

Algiers Presidents’ Council 4th Tuesday of the month 7 p.m.Woldenberg Village - 3701 Behrman Placewww.anpcnola.org

Broadmoor Improvement Association3rd Monday of every other month7 p.m.Andrew H. Wilson Charter School Cafeteria3617 General Pershing Streetwww.broadmoorimprovement.com

Bunny Friend Neighborhood Association3rd Saturday of the monthMt. Carmel Baptist Church3721 N. Claiborne [email protected]

Bywater Neighborhood Association2nd Tuesday of the month7 p.m.Holy Angels Cafeteria3500 St. Claude Avenuewww.bywaterneighbors.com

Carrollton Riverbend Neighborhood Association2nd Thursday of the monthCentral St. Matthew United Church of Christ1333 S. Carrollton Avenue

Carrollton United2nd Monday of the month – 5 p.m.St. John Missionary Baptist ChurchLeonidas Avenue and Hickory Streetwww.healthyneworleans.org

Central City Renaissance Alliance (CCRA)3rd Tuesday of each month6:00pmMahalia Jackson Early Childhood & Family Learning Center2405 Jackson Avenuewww.myccra.org

Chapel of the Holy Comforter4th Thursday of the month6:30 p.m.2200 Lakeshore Drive

Claiborne-University Neighborhood AssociationQuarterly meetings (Date and time TBA)Jewish Community Center5342 St. Charles Avenue

Downtown Neighborhoods Improvement Association (DNIA)Last Tuesday of each month7 p.m.Joan Mitchell Center2275 Bayou Road

DeSaix Neighborhood Association2nd Saturday of the month10 a.m.Langston Hughes Academy3519 Trafalgar Streetdanadesaix.org

East New Orleans Neighborhood Advisory Committee2nd Tuesday of the month6 p.m.St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church7300 Crowder Boulevardwww.enonac.org

Edgewood Park Neighborhood Association1st Saturday of the month 10 a.m.New Hope Community Church3708 Gentilly Blvd.

Faubourg Delachaise Neighborhood Association Quarterly meetings Visit http://fdna-nola.org for details.

Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association Board Meeting – 2nd Monday of the month7 p.m.Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Cafeteria1368 Moss Streethttp://www.fsjna.org

Faubourg St. Roch Improvement Association 2nd Thursday of the month 6 p.m.True Vine Baptist Church2008 Marigny Street

Filmore Gardens Neighborhood Association4th Thursday of the month(no meetings in November and December)6:30 p.m.Project Home Again5506 Wickfield Street

Garden District AssociationVisit www.gardendistrictassociation.com forannual meeting information.

Gentilly Civic Improvement Association (GCIA)3rd Saturday of the month6:30 p.m.Edgewater Baptist Church5900 Paris Avenuewww.facebook.com/gentillycivic

Gentilly Heights East Neighborhood Association3rd Monday of the month6 p.m.Dillard University, Dent Hall – Room 104

Gentilly Sugar Hill Neighborhood Association3rd Monday of the month6:30 p.m.Volunteers of America2929 St. Anthony Avenue

Gentilly Terrace and Gardens Improvement Association2nd Wednesday of the month7 p.m.Gentilly Terrace School4720 Painters Streetwww.gentillyterrace.org

Hoffman Triangle Neighborhood Association2nd Tuesday of the month5:30 p.m.Pleasant Zion Missionary Baptist Church3327 Toledano Streethoffmantriangle.org

Hollygrove Neighbors AssociationQuarterly on Saturdays12 p.m.St. Peter AME Church3424 Eagle StreetEmail [email protected] for dates

Holy Cross Neighborhood Association2nd Thursday of the month5:30 p.m.Center for SustainabilityGreater Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church5130 Chartres Street

Irish Channel Neighborhood Association2nd Thursday of the month7 p.m.Irish Channel Christian Fellowship819 First Streetwww.irishchannel.org

Lake Bullard Home Owners AssociationCornerstone United Methodist Church5276 Bullard AvenueVisit lakebullard.org for meeting schedule

Lake Catherine Civic Association2nd Tuesday of the month7 p.m.Email [email protected] for location information

Lake Willow Neighborhood2nd Saturday of the month10 a.m.St. Maria Goretti Church

Lower Ninth Ward Neighborhood Empowerment Network Association2nd Saturday of the month12 p.m.1120 Lamanche Streetwww.9thwardnena.org

Lower Ward Ninth Ward Stakeholders Coalition1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month5:30 p.m.1800 Deslonde Street

Melia Subdivision2nd Saturday of the month5 p.m.Anchored in Christ Church4334 Stemway

NeighborhoodMeetings

NeighborhoodMeetings

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27The Trumpet | April/May | 2016

Ask City Hall

Mid-City Neighborhood Organization2nd Monday of the month6 p.m. – meet & greet6:30 p.m. – neighborhood meetingWarren Easton High School3019 Canal Streetwww.mcno.org

Milneburg Neighborhood Association4th Thursday of the month6:30 p.m.Chapel of the Holy Comforter2200 Lakeshore Drive

The New St. Claude Association of Neighbors1st Thursday of the month 7 p.m.Pierre’s Hall4138 St. Claude Avenuewww.newstclaude.assocn.nscan.com

New Zion City Preservation Association1st Monday of the month 7 p.m.APEX Youth Center4360 Washington Ave.

Oak Park Civic Association3rd Thursday of the month6:30 p.m.Edgewater Baptist Church5900 Paris Avenuewww.facebook.com/OakParkNewOrleans

Paris Oaks/Bayou Vista Neighborhood AssociationLast Saturday of the month4 p.m.Third District Police Station4650 Paris Avenue

Pensiontown of Carrollton Neighborhood Association1st Saturday of the month2 p.m.Leonidas House Community Center1407 Leonidas Street

Pilotland Neighborhood Association3rd Saturday of the month 3 p.m.Pentecost Baptist Church Fellowship Hall1510 Harrison Avenue

Pontilly AssociationPontilly Disaster Collaborative - 3rd Wednesday of the monthGeneral Meeting 2nd Saturday of the month3869 Gentilly Blvd., Suite C

Rosedale SubdivisionLast Friday of the month5:30 p.m.Greater Bright Morning Star Baptist Church4253 Dale Street

Seventh Ward Neighborhood AssociationEvery other month, on the third Saturday, at the Dillard University Community Resource Center, 33012 Annette Street (at Humanity), NOLA 70119. Mail us at: P.O. Box 8591, NOLA 70182

Seabrook Neighborhood Association2nd Monday on the monthGentilly Terrace School4720 Painter StreetEmail [email protected] for times

Tall Timbers Owners Association2nd Wednesday in April & October7 p.m.

Tunisburg Square Homeowners Civic Association, Inc.2nd Monday of the month6:30 p.m.Visit tunisburg.org for location information

Village de L’Est Improvement Association1st Tuesday of every other month7 p.m.Einstein Charter School5100 Cannes Street

West Barrington Association1st Tuesday of the month6 p.m.Holiday Inn Express7049 Bullard Avenue

District A Susan G. GuidryCity Hall, Room 2W801300 Perdido StreetNew Orleans, LA 70112Phone: (504) 658-1010Fax: (504) 658-1016Email: [email protected]

District B LaToya CantrellCity Hall, Room 2W101300 Perdido StreetNew Orleans, LA 70112Phone: (504) 658-1020Fax: (504) [email protected]

District CNadine M. RamseyCity Hall, Room 2W701300 Perdido StreetPhone: (504) 658-1030Fax: (504) 658-1037Email: [email protected]

District DJared C. BrossettCity Hall, Room 2W201300 Perdido StreetPhone: (504) 658-1040Fax: (504) 658-1048E-mail: [email protected]

District EJames Austin Gray IICity Hall, Room 2W601300 Perdido StreetNew Orleans, LA 70112Phone: (504) 658-1050Fax: (504) 658-1058Email: [email protected]

Council Member-At-LargeStacy HeadCity Hall, Room 2W401300 Perdido StreetPhone: (504) 658 -1060Fax: (504) 658-1068Email: [email protected]

Council Member-At-LargeJason Rogers WilliamsCity Hall, Room 2W501300 Perdido StreetNew Orleans, LA 70112Phone: (504) 658-1070Fax: (504) 658-1077Email:[email protected]

Neighborhoods Partnership Network3321 Tulane AvenueNew Orleans, LA 70119 504.940.2207 • FX 504.940.2208 [email protected]

Send your neighborhood meeting details to: [email protected]

NeighborhoodMeetings

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