Greater New Orleans Urban League recognizes ‘outstanding leaders’

By Charmaine Jackson
Contributing Writer

On Dec. 30, the payday loans millbrook alabama National Urban League and the Greater New Orleans Urban League’s order of business heeded the holiday spirit, by recognizing 13 accomplished community leaders for their contributions, during their second annual holiday luncheon.

The honors took place at The Roy A. Glapion Center of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, with many distinguished guests in attendance, as well as family members, friends and co-workers of the honorees. Urban League President, Marc Morial said the leaders were chosen because they “positively impacted New Orleans across a variety of unique and important disciplines.” Each of them has an extensive career pedigree that spans professions, such as business, government, education, journalism, publishing, community and the arts. “While individually exceptional next payday advance legit in their professional fields, these leaders share common traits. They are committed to economic fairness, social justice, cultural diversity, civic pride, and community service,” Morial continued.

Morial, a former mayor of New Orleans, presented each honoree with a personalized plaque to praise their service. The recipients are: Honorable Edwin Lombard, Judge, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal; Deborah A. Elam, General Electric, Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer; Honorable Lambert C. Boissiere, Jr., Constable First City Court; James and Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, Musicians; Beverly McKenna, Publisher, The New Orleans Tribune; John Georges, Publisher, The Advocate; Rodger Ogden Businessman and Art Patron; Honorable Karen Carter Peterson, State Senator; Jaimme’ Collins, Lawyer and Chair, Diversity Committee, Adams and Reese, LLP; Dr. anthony morrison fast cash Norman Francis, President, Xavier University; Eric Paulsen and Sally Ann Roberts, WWL-TV Co-Anchors; Kerry Seaton, Fourth Generation Owner, Willie Mae’s Scotch House; Dottie Reese, Principal, DMM & Associates and Chairman of the Board of Directors, The Urban League of Greater New Orleans; Dr. C.S. Gordon, Jr., Sr. Pastor and CEO New Zion Baptist Church; Michael Smith, General Manger Hyatt Regency New Orleans and New Orleans Aviation Board Member; Ameca Reali, Executive Director, Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana; Honorable Erroll Williams, Assessor, Orleans Parish.

Dr. Norman Francis, who announced his retirement earlier this year, was the final honoree. He recalled a few personal stories, including “a special note” few people know about what happened when he was tax advance a freshman at Xavier University and “watched Louis Armstrong as King of Zulu get off the barge on the canal behind Xavier’s gym in 1949,” which garnered a round of applause. He revealed at the age of 34, he became a member of the Urban League and helped to reestablish the civil rights organization into the Community Chest; now known as The United Way, “to emphasize the importance of partnerships and working together.” In addition, all in attendance learned that the Morial and Francis families, while not related, were so close, Dr. Francis considered the Morials as part of his family. Every year, Dr. Francis said he joined the Morials for a “duck dinner,” and almost missed pay day loans in magee ms it one year due to being out of town, but the patriarch Morial insisted he still join them because he never missed a year and also arranged for him to get home. Dr. Francis also shared that a month before Morial’s father died, he said to him, “If anything ever happens to me, take care of my son.”

In the name of partnerships, all guests to the luncheon were asked to donate canned goods or non-perishable food items to benefit the Harry Thompson Center, a non-profit that ministers to the poor and homeless, along with its partners.

This article originally published in the January 5, 2105 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.