New Orleans, LA (12/29/16) -
On Wednesday, December 28, 2016 Marc H. Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League and Erika McConduit, President and CEO of the Urban League of Louisiana hosted their 4th Annual Holiday Awards Luncheon recognizing the many accomplishments of four honorees:
The Honorable
John Bel Edwards
,
Louisiana State Governor
,
U.S.
Representative Cedric Richmond
(D-LA 2nd District) and Congressional Black Caucus Chairman-elect
,
The Honorable Sharon Weston Broome
,
East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-elect
, and
Dr. C. Reynold Verret
,
Xavier University of New Orleans President
. The luncheon was held at the acclaimed Dooky Chase's Restaurant in the historic Treme neighborhood. An added highlight was an appearance by Chef Leah Chase.
Morial said, "I'm extremely proud to recognize four very accomplished leaders in the State. Our honorees drive home the values of the National Urban League at the local level."
After presenting each recipient with an award, Morial focused his talk on leadership and the responsibilities it bears. He called upon those present to become active participants in the local Urban League as well as fully engaged in efforts to make certain that Louisiana receives its fair share of federal resources.
All four awardees exemplify strong leadership in New Orleans and Louisiana and have made strong contributions to the city and state. Congressman Richmond's influence has grown significantly, on Tuesday, January 3rd; he will be sworn-in as the next Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. The Congressman used a part of his address to implore attendees to play an active role in serving as watchdogs over a local charter school's effort to remove the name of New Orleans's first African American mayor; Ernest "Dutch" Morial's name from the school that bears his name. Richmond argued that it is important for Black kids to be made keenly aware of the accomplishments of individuals who look like them and that we should not take such actions lightly.
Governor Edwards expressed the health value and increase in the number of low-income citizens who have been helped by the expansion of Louisiana's Medicaid program under Obamacare. He also pledged to reduce Louisiana's incarceration rate by the time he leaves office.
Mayor-President elect Broome continued on with her commitment to write a new chapter for East Baton Rouge Parish, one which provides opportunities for all to participate, and for all to be treated on an equal basis.
Dr. Verret promised to build upon the life's work of Dr. Norman Francis by continuing to nurture a love of learning in student recruited to attend Xavier University.
"In keeping with the sentiments of the holiday season, our luncheon provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate individuals making a significant impact in our community. It is through the leadership of this year's honorees that Louisiana will make strides in education, economic development, pay equality, healthcare and criminal justice reform that will benefit citizens for generations to come," added Erika McConduit.
McConduit also used the opportunity to inform the gathered guests that the Urban League of Greater New Orleans is expanding statewide with an operation in Baton Rouge that will be headed by State Representative Ted James, D-Baton Rouge. The state affiliate is now officially known as the Urban League of Louisiana.
In addition to former 1st lady Sybil Morial, Morial wife and CBS News Correspondent Michelle Miller along with his young daughter Margeaux were present. The prestigious by-invitation-only event attracted an array of New Orleans' most influential leaders; including former U.S. Ambassador and first African-American woman Senator, Carol Moseley-Braun; Dr. Norman Christopher Francis, former president of Xavier University of Louisiana; Dillard University's president Dr. Walter Kimbrough; Bishop J. Douglas Wiley and Bishop Tom Watson; Sheriff Marlin Gusman, Clerk of Court Arthur Morrell, New Orleans City Councilmembers Jason Williams, LaToya Cantrell, Nadine Ramsey, Jared Brossett, and James Gray; Judges Ed Lombard, Terri Love, Paula Brown, Magistrate Harry Cantrell, Tiffany Chase, Nakisha Ervin-Knott, Veronica Henry, Arthur Hunter, Monique Morial, and Angelique Reed; State Senators Wesley Bishop and J.P. Morrell; State Representative Helena Moreno; 2nd City Clerk Darren Lombard and Commissioner Juana Marine-Lombard; Constables Lambert Bossiere, Jr. and Edwin Shorty, Jr.; former State Senators and Councilmember Diana Bajoie and Jon Johnson; former City Councilmembers Jim Singleton and Cynthia Hedge-Morrell.
Civic and business leaders included Gail Glapion, Dr. Calvin Mackie, Bobby Major, Jimmie Woods, Richard Perque, Charles Rice, Bob Tucker, Dr. Charles Teamer, Dr. Anthony Mumphrey, Suzanne Haik Terrell, Roger Ogden, Kim Boyle, Michael Griffin, Mike Early, James Williams, Ira Middleberg, King Zulu 2017 Adonis C. Expose, Zulu President Naaman Stewart, Jerome Smith, Dr. Corey Hebert, MD, Ronald Carrere, Kevin Smith, Joe and Angele Givens, and many others.
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