Job well done

More than a year ago, WWL TV’s Dionne Butler shared with me her dream of doing a 50th anniversary Commemoration of the Civil Rights Act signing. I wanted to help.

During the past 18 months, we had lots of fits and starts. Heather Harper in my office, and then my summer intern Jillian Willard, helped Dionne organize meeting after meeting, and solicitation after solicitation to get volunteers involved. Only one person consistently stepped up to help us: Danae Columbus.

Even with the strong-willed interests of Dionne, Danae and my staff, we could not find many who wanted to help us take on the challenge. Except for one willing to put up funds: Mary Zervigon. Her faith triggered other donations, but she was the lead.

Eventually, Valerie Willard at the Louisiana Supreme Court, Arnie Fielkow from the NBA’s Retired Players Association, Sr. Jane Remson from Loyola and the U.S. Park Service made significant donations to help our efforts.

Still, it could not have happened without Dionne and Danae. Thank you.

– Cheron Brylski

This article originally published in the July 14, 2014 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.