State’s Legislative Black Caucus and its Foundation host Bayou Classic brunch

Baton Rouge, La. — The Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus (LLBC) and the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus Foundation (LLBCF) will host the 35th Annual Bayou Classic Scholarship Jazz Brunch on November 30 from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Empire Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans (601 Loyola Ave.).

The brunch primarily serves as a fundraiser for LLBCF and as an informational and motivational forum for the constituents of the LLBC. Several awards will be presented to notable African Americans for their work within the community.

The late American political scientist, citizen activist, educator and author Dr. Jewel L. Prestage from Hutton, La., will be honored posthumously. Dr. Prestage is the first African-American woman to complete a doctorate in political science in the United States. In 1977, she co-authored the anthology “A Portrait of Marginality.”

In addition to Prestage, others slated to receive recognition and honors during the brunch include Flozell Daniels (New Orleans), president and CEO of Foundation for Louisiana; Norris Henderson, the founder and executive director of both VOTE and its sister organization, Voters Organized to Educate; Jenelle Chargois of Lafayette, La. (posthumous); Margie Loud Zeno, a retired Jefferson Parish school district administrator, education consultant and community activist; Kathe Hambrick (Gonzales, La.), founder of the River Road African American Museum in Donaldsonville, La.; Lt. General Russell Honoré; and Calvin Brown (Farmersville, La.).

Proceeds collected from the brunch will be used by the LLBC for scholarships presented to Southern University and Grambling State University students.

“Our goal with our many corporate partners is to provide scholarships in perpetuity for students with academic merit and need throughout the state,” stated LLBC Chairman, State Representative Randal L. Gaines.

This article originally published in the November 25, 2019 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.