Neighborhood Summit

Saturday, October 21, 2023, the Mayor’s Neighborhood Engagement Office (NEO) hosted the 2023 Neighborhood Summit, a professional development conference for neighborhood leaders.

This was the largest conference in the history of NEO as over 1200 of our committed community leaders, residents, non-profit partners, and City agencies came together to strengthen our communities through engagement and empowerment. Residents attended workshops ranging from Public Safety to Effective Community Engagement . NEO was proud to present 76 community organizations, from all over the city, with a Neighborhood Enrichment Grant award. This grant will be used to improve our neighborhoods through green infrastructure and beautification projects. At the resource fair, over 30 city agencies and nonprofits engaged residents and provided them with valuable information.

 

The Mayor's Neighborhood Engagement Office thanks all who attended for making the 2023 Summit a success with meaningful conversations and feedback on how we can make our communities stronger and more resilient. We would also like to thank our dedicated sponsors and knowledgeable presenters that continue to make the Summit possible every year!

 

Please see the recap video here: Neighborhood Summit 2023 - YouTube

Past Summits

2023 New Orleans Neighborhood Summit

THEME

From Ideas to Actions: Shaping Our Neighborhoods' Destiny

OVERVIEW OF SESSIONS

Title:   How Environmental Stressors Affect Community Outcomes 

Presenter: Lower 9th Ward CSED

Description: "CSED Environmental Research Internship is a year-round education and community, beyond the school day, initiative to encourage high school students to gain hands-on environmental research using Community Science experiments and activities addressing the stressors of Orleans neighborhoods.  Climate change challenges (flooding, excessive heat, and polluted water) are causing havoc in the lives of students and families, as many are pondering next steps. The CSED team is lead by Dr. Bernard Singleton, Research Director and Environmental Scientist as well as a Biology professor at Dillard University. The administration component of the program is managed by Arthur Johnson, CEO, CSED. Arthur is also a commissioner on the Governor's Advisory Commission on Coastal Protection, Restoration and Conservation.  Environmental Research Interns are represented from public, private and charter schools."

 

Title: Advancing Public Safety in Our Neighborhoods

Presenter: Health Department and NOPD

Description: "Attendees will learn about the city's latest strategies and initiatives to prevent, reduce, and end gun violence in New Orleans."

 

Title: J.P. Morgan Chase Community Impact: How We Are Collaborating to Support Communities

Presenter: J.P. Morgan Chase

Description: "JPMorgan Chase has been a trusted partner in New Orleans for more than 190 years. In 2021, the firm launched a $30 billion-dollar Racial Equity Commitment, which focuses on expanding affordable housing, increasing homeownership, growing small businesses, improving financial health and accelerating workforce diversity. This workshop will highlight how the commitment is being localized in New Orleans through our on the ground Community Impact Team that is providing access to free resources and information to the community."

 

Title: Tools for Effective Community Engagement and Organizing 

Presenters: Center for Inclusive Public Life

Description: "Despite advances in technology, getting people to work together for a public good still comes down to a few, universally basic foundational concepts. In this session, you will explore the three most critical abilities you need to hone if you want to increase/improve your effectiveness at mobilizing others to act with you as an organized group."


Title: A Collaboration of Affordable Housing Initatives

Presenter: Office of Community Development

Description: "The session will be on initiatives to combat the affordable housing crisis and how collaboration with partnering agencies generate leverage funding."


Title: JenCare Senior Medical Center: +B5 Honor Our Seniors: The Strength of Our Community 

Presenter: JenCare

Description: "JenCare Model and Value in the Community, Insurance:  Having the right plan,  Power of the White Coat:  PCP Relationships with patients and understanding their care plan"

 

Title: The Future of MRGO: Restoration Updates and Action Steps Critial for New Orleans

Presenter: Mississippi River Delta Campaign

Description: "This session will cover the history of the MRGO, progress being made on the ground through local and grassroots efforts and what you can do to help ensure MRGO ecosystem restoration is a top priority for the Army Corps."

 

Title: Infrastructure: A Candid Conversation on Street & Drainage Repairs

Presenter: Department of Public Works and Sewerage & Waterboard

Description: "Engage in dialogue with the Department of Public Works and the Sewerage and Water Board as they present current initiatives to improve the city’s road infrastructure."

 

Title: Quality of Life: City Services that Impact You Daily

Presenter: Department of Sanitation, Department of Code Enforcement, and Department of Safety & Permits

Description: "Learn about the methods of the Department of Sanitation, Department of Code Enforcement, and Department of Safety & Permits and their day-to-day effect on your community."

2022 New Orleans Neighborhood Summit

THEME

A Stronger Community: The Power of Collaboration and Innovation

OVERVIEW OF SESSIONS

Title:   A Collaboration of Affordable Housing Initiatives

Presenter: Office of Community Development

Description: "The session will be on initiatives to combat the affordable housing crisis and how collaboration with partnering agencies generate leverage funding."

 

Title: Nurturing the Next Generation of Climate Change Leaders through Environmental Research

Presenter:  Center for Sustainable Engagement & Development

Description: "Learn about environmental research and how to help save our planet from Orleans Parish public and private high school students representing the 2022 CSED Environmental Research Internship Team. Our “youth scientists and researchers of tomorrow” will share environmental research related experiments and activities focused on water, soil and air, and discuss their Climate Change experiments and observations in various fields of engineering, biology, chemistry, physics, optics and optical illusion, earth sciences and mathematics.  Engage with the next generation of Climate Change Leaders as they relate their research to our local community environmental challenges!"

 

Title: A Roadmap for Community Transformation

Presenter: LCMC

Description: "University Medical Center New Orleans will turn 10 years old in 2025. As this milestone nears, the medical center is focusing on fully realizing the promise of being a healthcare destination of choice, a hub for academics and research, and a valued community partner. University Medical Center’s community transformation will be a central focus as it strives to achieve a culture of health through leadership, partnerships, connections, and empowerment."
 

Title: Advancing Public Safety NOLA

Presenters: NOPD & Office of Criminal Justice Coordination

Description: "Attendees will learn about the city's latest strategies and initiatives to prevent, reduce, and end gun violence in New Orleans."


Title: Quality of Life: City Services That Impact You Daily

Presenter: Departments of Sanitation, Code Enforcement, and Safety & Permits 

Description: "Learn about the methods of the Department of Sanitation, Department of Code Enforcement, and Department of Safety & Permits and their day-to-day effect on your community."


Title: Infrastructure: A Candid Conversation on Street & Drainage Repairs

Presenter: Department of Public Works, Sewerage and Water Board

Description: "Engage in dialogue with the Department of Public Works and the Sewerage and Water Board as they present current initiatives to improve the city’s road infrastructure"

 

Title: A Big Year for the Coast: Major Restoration Work Impacts New Orleans

Presenter: National Wildlife Federation

Description: "Learn about the importance of coastal restoration to the City of New Orleans and the major projects planned and underway that will help protect our communities, economy and ecosystems for generations. New Orleans community leaders have a critical role to play in the future of our coast and communities. Come hear about opportunities to get involved."

 

Title: Community Collaboration-JPMC Innovations 

Presenter: JP-Morgan Chase

2021 New Orleans Neighborhood Summit

THEME

Sustainable Neighborhoods: Creating A Pathway to Yes

OVERVIEW OF SESSIONS

Title:  Advancing Cities-Innovating through Our Water Crisis: An Inclusive Water Cluster Powered by New Orleanians

Presenter: Chase Bank

Description: "This session will serve to present an update on the progress of the Advancing Cities grant work by the New Orleans Business Alliance and partners. NOLABA continues to work with their partners to build a more inclusive economy through green infrastructure initiatives and transform the way New Orleans lives with water."

 

Title:  Sharing is Resiliency: How Tool Lending Can Help Neighbors Respond to Disasters

Presenter: Mid City Redevelopment Alliance

Description: " Learn how to take neighborhood sustainability and resiliency into your own hands. With the right tools, resources and education community members can organize resident-led service projects focused on home preservation efforts. Join the Mid City Redevelopment Staff to learn more."

 

Title:  Creating Healthy Communities: One Neighborhood at a Time

Presenter: Oschner Health

Description: " This workshop will highlight Ochsner Health’s commitment to the residents of New Orleans and address social determinants of health impacting overall health. We will discuss the need to deliver primary and specialty care with the goal of promoting health equity for all. Summit attendees will engage in constructive dialogue about their neighborhood’s health needs and discuss strategies for creating healthier communities."

Title:  Flood Risk and The Coast: Why restoration is critical to communities around Lake Pontchartrain

Presenters: Audubon Institute and NeighborWorks America

Description: " Session attendees will learn about flood risks to communities around Lake Pontchartrain, hearing from local science experts and community members who’ve faced repeated impacts in recent years. They’ll also learn about major coastal restoration projects that are critical to community protection and are currently in need of public support."


Title:  Community Development: Where we've been, Here we are, and Where we are going!

Presenter: NeighborWorks America

Description: " Participants will learn the value of community partnerships and the role it plays in comprehensive Community Development. In order to revitalize communities and improves lives, residents must be involved. Hear from a partnership expert on Community Development: Where we've been, Here we are, and Where we are going."


Title:  Learn About Environmental Research and Help Save the Planet!

Presenter: Center for Sustainable Engagement & Development

Description: " The 2021 CSED Environmental Research Internship Team, composed of middle and high school students from our parish schools, will share environmental research related experiments and activities focused on water, soil and air. Be exposed to our “youth scientist and researchers of tomorrow” as they discuss their experiments in various fields of engineering, biology, chemistry, physics, optics and optical illusion, earth sciences and mathematics. You will learn about the illustrious minority men and women in science and interacting with these future leaders."

 

Title:  Neighborhood Redevelopment & Investment

Presenter: Office of Community Development

Description: " Attendees will hear about the City's housing programs and plans moving forward as we transition through the COVID environment."

 

Title:  Advancing Public Safety NOLA

Presenter: NOPD

Description: " Attendees will learn about the city's latest strategies and initiatives to prevent, reduce, and end gun violence in New Orleans."

2020 New Orleans Neighborhood Summit

Theme:

Beyond the Pandemic: Moving Forward Together

Overview of Sessions

Title: Neighborhood Redevelopment & Investment

Presenters: Ellen Lee (Director of Community and Economic Development, City of New Orleans; Marjorianna B. William (Executive Director, New Orleans Office of Housing Policy and Community Development); Robert Rivers (Executive Director, New Orleans City Planning Commission); Brenda M. Breaux (Executive Director, New Orleans Redevelopment Authority); Evette Hester (Executive Director, Housing Authority of New Orleans); Damon Burns (President & CEO, Finance New Orleans)

Description: A conversation with New Orleans officials about the latest in efforts and changes to neighborhood redevelopment and investment, with a discussion about Covid-19 impacts.

 

Title: Beyond Closing Mrgo; The Prospects Of Restoration And Recovery For New Orleans

Presenters: William Waiters (Lower 9th Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development), John Lopez (Pontchartrain Conservancy), and Amanda Moore (National Wildlife Federation)"

Description: "15 years after Hurricane Katrina, there is new information available on the impact of the infamous Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO) that can help inform restoration efforts. Through extensive research, we now more fully understand the influence of the MRGO while it was open and the influence of the closure structure put in place in 2009. This information is critical to restoration efforts in and around New Orleans.  At the same time, the ecosystem restoration recommended by the Federal government, the state government, conservation organizations, and local communities is far from done. We’ve just begun to make progress on restoration projects for the areas impacted by the MRGO. In fact, no funding has been allocated to implement the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (Corps) MRGO ecosystem restoration plan, despite Congressional calls for action after Katrina. The prioritization of restoration is critical, not only to protect communities with a healthy coastal buffer, but also to allow recovery within communities still reeling from the catastrophe of the Federal shipping channel.

Title: COVID-19: The New Orleans Response & Current Status

Presenters: Jennifer Avegno, MD (Director, City of New Orleans Health Department)"

Description: "In this session, the city’s Public Health Director, Dr. Avegno, reviews the City's fight against the pandemic, basics about the virus, current treatments and interventions, and what comes next.

Title: New Orleans Community Voice: A Health Action Learning Plan Initiative

Presenters: Arthur Johnson (Executive Director, Lower 9th Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development); Torrie Harris, PhD, MPH (Health & Equity Strategist, New Orleans Health Department); Daphne Ferdinand, PhD, RN (Executive Director, Healthy Heart Community Prevention Project); Catherine Haywood (Executive Director, Louisiana Community Health Outreach Network)"

Description: "This session will describe an action learning initiative focused on designing and sustaining healthy communities in an effort to: build stronger resident engagement, create relationships and connections, bring together community action for a more powerful voice and establishment of a coalition network of public, private, and community partners in order to identify and address specific health outcomes, health factors and relevant policies and programs for more sustainable neighborhoods in the city of New Orleans.


Title: Organizing Your Neighborhood Digitally

Presenters: Kathryn M. Conti (City of New Orleans Information Technology and Innovation); Teraira Snerling (Digital Equity Program Manager, City of New Orleans Information Technology and Innovation)"

Description: "This session explores the digital tools available to help neighborhood leaders maintain engagement within their communities during our present Covid-19 reality. Explore how different platforms work and how to use their features to benefit your ongoing engagement. You will learn about the Digital Equity Solutions, Online Resources and Web Services available from The City of New Orleans and Nola.gov.


Title: What Gets Measured, Gets Changed: Using Neighborhood- Level Data To Understand & Improve Child Well-being In New Orleans

Presenters: Emily Wolff (Director, Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families); Jack Shaevitz (Policy and Research Analyst, Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families)"

Description: "Join the Office of Youth and Families as they present the NOLA Kids Data Book, a toolkit that provides residents and communities an in-depth look at how children are faring in New Orleans and what financial investments are being made to improve child well-being. The presentation will provide neighborhood-level breakdowns of overall child well-being in New Orleans and comparisons of economic, education, health, safety/justice, and housing indicators across the City. Participants in this session will take a deep dive into the critical challenges and opportunities that our children and families face and how we can use data to create a roadmap for our children's success.

 

2019 New Orleans Neighborhood Summit

On Saturday, November 10th, we hosted our 7th annual Neighborhood Summit, which we held at the University of New Orleans Student Center. The theme for this year's Summit was Building a Resilient New Orleans Together. Over 500 attendees registered for the event. Panel topics and discussion focused on coastal resilience, housing affordability, youth and family development, equitable transportation, and more. 

Thank you to all of those who helped make our 7th annual Neighborhood Summit such a success! 

 

OVERVIEW OF SESSIONS

 

Title: Approaching Violence as a Public Health Crisis

Presenters: Dr. Jennifer Avegno, Tenisha Stevens, David Bocage, Nelson Thompson, & Danny Allen

Description: An epidemic of violent injury has plagued our community for far too long.  Traditional approaches to stemming this tide focus on strict law enforcement, and thus are limited in their reach.  Thinking of violence as a public health issue provides a more inclusive and comprehensive way to understand and tackle this critical issue for New Orleans.  This session will present an overview of how the City of New Orleans views violent injury from a health lens, new programs and approaches, and perspectives from those on the ground fighting to interrupt violence in our neighborhoods.

 

Title: Leveraging Technology to Enhance Public Safety: New Orleans’ Real-Time Crime Center and You

Presenters: Ross J. Bourgeois, Laura Mellen, Nicholas Gernon, Ceasar Ruffin, & Anthony Campo

Description: Opened in November 2017, the 24/7 Real-Time Crime Center leverages technology to provide critical information to first responders in the field and to assist with investigations of criminal activity, quality of life concerns, and severe weather impacts. In this session, you will learn about the technology housed at the crime center, success stories from its first year of operations, and the soon-to-launch SafeCam Platinum program that will allow residents and businesses to connect public-facing cameras to the crime center. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to hear from members of the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, the New Orleans Police Department, and the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation.  

 

Title:  A Connected City is a Resilient City: Building Physical and Social Resilience through Information Technology

Presenters: Kimberly W. LaGrue, Jennifer Terry, Whitney Soenksen, Nathan Lott, & Collin Ferguson

Description: This session explores city-led efforts to improve the Resilience of New Orleans’ physical IT infrastructure and the expected benefits to the resilience of the rest of the City’s infrastructure. Various experts in technology infrastructure and usage present on the city’s efforts to improve social resilience among New Orleanians by teaching them to leverage technology resources, with brief overviews of the city’s  data, new Basic Digital skill class, and the Digital Equity Challenge. Efforts by local non-profits and entrepreneurs to build and deploy digital tools to address specific components of equity is also showcased, with presenters from NOLA Connects  and Where Y’Art.

 

Title: Transforming our Streets to be Safer, Healthier and Wealthier (previously titled Better Biking Infrastructure with You in Mind)

Presenters: Dwight Norton & Robert Henig Bell

Description: An informational session on how the Mayor’s Office of Transportation is rethinking the role of streets in our city to ensure all people feel safe regardless of how their want to move - by car, bus, bike, or walking. We will connect the benefits of safer streets to healthier living and greater prosperity. Learn how we are partnering to create a new way to engage and evaluate major change of several streets in the downtown area on a temporary basis, called Connect the Crescent. Learn about future improvements in development and new opportunities to empower residents and neighborhoods to try their own ideas. 

 

Title: Resiliency Through Housing Equity

Presenters: Andreanecia Morris, Matthew Hendrickson, Brenda Breaux, Fred Johnson, Logan Burke & Nicole Barnes

Description: Housing equity doesn’t just happen. It takes intentional industry strategies and government policies that enable residents to thrive in a city even as growth threatens affordability. Learn from housing advocates, policy makers, and residents about the work in New Orleans to ensure that people who live in the city aren’t priced out because of skyrocketing housing prices.

 

Title: Gentilly Resilience District: Rethinking the Urban Landscape through an Environmentally Sustainable & Socially Equitable Lens

Presenters: Greg Lawson & Natalie Manning

Description: How can the city harness the power of nature to prevent flooding and subsidence?  Join the Office of Resilience + Sustainability to learn about the city’s first resilience district, a combination of sustainable stormwater efforts across Gentilly that seeks to address complex issues such as crumbling streets, overburdened drainage systems, and sinking soils.

 

Title: The Ins and Outs of New Orleans as a Coastal City

Presenters: Anne Coglianese, Charles Allen, Lacy Macmanus, & Denise J. Reed

Description: Many people are aware that New Orleans is the largest city in the State of Louisiana, but did you know that it is also a coastal community?  Much of our history, economy, and culture in New Orleans stem directly from the coastal geography on which our city was built. Just as our history has been shaped by our coastal landscape, we know that the future safety, security, and prosperity of New Orleans will be equally tied to the coast. This panel will discuss how the history, present, and future of New Orleans has, and will continue to be, linked with its coastal environment.  Expert panelists will discuss how the environment, economy, and culture in New Orleans are connected to the coast. 

 

Title: Let’s CleanUP NOLA Together

Presenters: Cynthia Sylvain-Lear, Ann MacDonald, Zachary Smith

Description: Learn about the city's new efforts to fight blight, litter and other quality of life issues through the Mayor’s new CleanUP NOLA initiative, which aims to better leverage and coordinate the services of multiple departments in City Hall, including Sanitation, Public Works, Health, Safety & Permits, Neighborhood Engagement, Parks & Parkways, Code Enforcement, and Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control.

 

Title: It Takes a Village to be Well: Bringing Youth & Families to the Forefront

Presenters: Camille Alexander, Karen Evans, Kellie Dejean, Ron McClain, Jessica Styons, & Byron Goodwin

Description: Learn about the city's youth master plan, with a look at the health conditions of the city’s youth, and engage in a conversation with city and non-profit professionals working together to improve positive outcomes for youth and families in New Orleans.

 

Title: Transformations Towards Transit Equity at the RTA (previously titled Tomorrow’s Transit Equity Starts Today)

Presenters: Dwight Norton, Jason Sappington, Fred Neal, Jr., & Alex Posorske

Description: Transit is at a pivotal and exciting moment in New Orleans. Learn how the path to transit equity is directly related to how we prioritize busses and streetcars and their riders. Learn about the upcoming Comprehensive Operations Analysis (COA) that will take a fresh look at how to make transit routes more effective for residents. Discuss opportunities for communities to engage and direct these transformational opportunities with policy makers and advocates.  

 

Title: Building Resilience Thru Wetlands Restoration & Green Infrastructure

Presenters: Happy Johnson and Bernard Singleton

Description: The session also explores how environmental damage can be addressed when residents and scientists work together. Learn about wetland restoration at Bayou Bienvenue as well as the St Claude Bridge Lock Expansion proposal and how active resident leadership can build a future toward reducing ecological injustice.

2018 New Orleans Neighborhood Summit

On Saturday, November 10th, we hosted our 7th annual Neighborhood Summit, which we held at the University of New Orleans Student Center. The theme for this year's Summit was Building a Resilient New Orleans Together. Over 500 attendees registered for the event. Panel topics and discussion focused on coastal resilience, housing affordability, youth and family development, equitable transportation, and more. 

Thank you to all of those who helped make our 7th annual Neighborhood Summit such a success! 

 

Overview of Sessions

 

Title: Approaching Violence as a Public Health Crisis

Presenters: Dr. Jennifer Avegno, Tenisha Stevens, David Bocage, Nelson Thompson, & Danny Allen

Description: An epidemic of violent injury has plagued our community for far too long.  Traditional approaches to stemming this tide focus on strict law enforcement, and thus are limited in their reach.  Thinking of violence as a public health issue provides a more inclusive and comprehensive way to understand and tackle this critical issue for New Orleans.  This session will present an overview of how the City of New Orleans views violent injury from a health lens, new programs and approaches, and perspectives from those on the ground fighting to interrupt violence in our neighborhoods.

 

Title: Leveraging Technology to Enhance Public Safety: New Orleans’ Real-Time Crime Center and You

Presenters: Ross J. Bourgeois, Laura Mellen, Nicholas Gernon, Ceasar Ruffin, & Anthony Campo

Description: Opened in November 2017, the 24/7 Real-Time Crime Center leverages technology to provide critical information to first responders in the field and to assist with investigations of criminal activity, quality of life concerns, and severe weather impacts. In this session, you will learn about the technology housed at the crime center, success stories from its first year of operations, and the soon-to-launch SafeCam Platinum program that will allow residents and businesses to connect public-facing cameras to the crime center. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to hear from members of the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, the New Orleans Police Department, and the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation.  

 

Title:  A Connected City is a Resilient City: Building Physical and Social Resilience through Information Technology

Presenters: Kimberly W. LaGrue, Jennifer Terry, Whitney Soenksen, Nathan Lott, & Collin Ferguson

Description: This session explores city-led efforts to improve the Resilience of New Orleans’ physical IT infrastructure and the expected benefits to the resilience of the rest of the City’s infrastructure. Various experts in technology infrastructure and usage present on the city’s efforts to improve social resilience among New Orleanians by teaching them to leverage technology resources, with brief overviews of the city’s  data, new Basic Digital skill class, and the Digital Equity Challenge. Efforts by local non-profits and entrepreneurs to build and deploy digital tools to address specific components of equity is also showcased, with presenters from NOLA Connects  and Where Y’Art.

 

Title: Transforming our Streets to be Safer, Healthier and Wealthier (previously titled Better Biking Infrastructure with You in Mind)

Presenters: Dwight Norton & Robert Henig Bell

Description: An informational session on how the Mayor’s Office of Transportation is rethinking the role of streets in our city to ensure all people feel safe regardless of how their want to move - by car, bus, bike, or walking. We will connect the benefits of safer streets to healthier living and greater prosperity. Learn how we are partnering to create a new way to engage and evaluate major change of several streets in the downtown area on a temporary basis, called Connect the Crescent. Learn about future improvements in development and new opportunities to empower residents and neighborhoods to try their own ideas. 

 

Title: Resiliency Through Housing Equity

Presenters: Andreanecia Morris, Matthew Hendrickson, Brenda Breaux, Fred Johnson, Logan Burke & Nicole Barnes

Description: Housing equity doesn’t just happen. It takes intentional industry strategies and government policies that enable residents to thrive in a city even as growth threatens affordability. Learn from housing advocates, policy makers, and residents about the work in New Orleans to ensure that people who live in the city aren’t priced out because of skyrocketing housing prices.

 

Title: Gentilly Resilience District: Rethinking the Urban Landscape through an Environmentally Sustainable & Socially Equitable Lens

Presenters: Greg Lawson & Natalie Manning

Description: How can the city harness the power of nature to prevent flooding and subsidence?  Join the Office of Resilience + Sustainability to learn about the city’s first resilience district, a combination of sustainable stormwater efforts across Gentilly that seeks to address complex issues such as crumbling streets, overburdened drainage systems, and sinking soils.

 

Title: The Ins and Outs of New Orleans as a Coastal City

Presenters: Anne Coglianese, Charles Allen, Lacy Macmanus, & Denise J. Reed

Description: Many people are aware that New Orleans is the largest city in the State of Louisiana, but did you know that it is also a coastal community?  Much of our history, economy, and culture in New Orleans stem directly from the coastal geography on which our city was built. Just as our history has been shaped by our coastal landscape, we know that the future safety, security, and prosperity of New Orleans will be equally tied to the coast. This panel will discuss how the history, present, and future of New Orleans has, and will continue to be, linked with its coastal environment.  Expert panelists will discuss how the environment, economy, and culture in New Orleans are connected to the coast. 

 

Title: Let’s CleanUP NOLA Together

Presenters: Cynthia Sylvain-Lear, Ann MacDonald, Zachary Smith

Description: Learn about the city's new efforts to fight blight, litter and other quality of life issues through the Mayor’s new CleanUP NOLA initiative, which aims to better leverage and coordinate the services of multiple departments in City Hall, including Sanitation, Public Works, Health, Safety & Permits, Neighborhood Engagement, Parks & Parkways, Code Enforcement, and Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control.

 

Title: It Takes a Village to be Well: Bringing Youth & Families to the Forefront

Presenters: Camille Alexander, Karen Evans, Kellie Dejean, Ron McClain, Jessica Styons, & Byron Goodwin

Description: Learn about the city's youth master plan, with a look at the health conditions of the city’s youth, and engage in a conversation with city and non-profit professionals working together to improve positive outcomes for youth and families in New Orleans.

 

Title: Transformations Towards Transit Equity at the RTA (previously titled Tomorrow’s Transit Equity Starts Today)

Presenters: Dwight Norton, Jason Sappington, Fred Neal, Jr., & Alex Posorske

Description: Transit is at a pivotal and exciting moment in New Orleans. Learn how the path to transit equity is directly related to how we prioritize busses and streetcars and their riders. Learn about the upcoming Comprehensive Operations Analysis (COA) that will take a fresh look at how to make transit routes more effective for residents. Discuss opportunities for communities to engage and direct these transformational opportunities with policy makers and advocates.  

 

Title: Building Resilience Thru Wetlands Restoration & Green Infrastructure

Presenters: Happy Johnson and Bernard Singleton

Description: The session also explores how environmental damage can be addressed when residents and scientists work together. Learn about wetland restoration at Bayou Bienvenue as well as the St Claude Bridge Lock Expansion proposal and how active resident leadership can build a future toward reducing ecological injustice.

 

2017 New Orleans Neighborhood Summit

 

Theme

Celebrating 300 years of Resilient Neighborhoods: Laying a Strong Foundation for the Future

Location

University Medical Center

Overview

Over 400 leaders from across the City attended this year’s event and participated in workshops and panel discussions focused on public safety, resilience, equity, housing, coastal restoration, emergency preparation, and faith based collaboration. We appreciate the dedication of New Orleans neighborhood leaders to making New Orleans a great place to call home, and their commitment to the community and in their respective neighborhoods.

A huge shoutout to our dedicated sponsors and knowledgeable presenters! 

2016 New Orleans Neighborhood Summit

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Theme

Celebrating Neighborhoods: Embracing the Power of Collaboration

Location

University Medical Center

Workshops

Advancing Equity in City Government

Taught by #EquityNewOrleans

It has been well-documented that all residents of New Orleans do not enjoy the same health, resources, and opportunities because of economic, racial and geographic disparities. This inequity threatens the City’s ability to fully recover and grow to its full capacity and promise. Because of these inequities we must ask the critical question with a sense of urgency: How can City government begin to understand and address equity in our city in a data-driven, strategic manner? In this session, participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the EquityNewOrleans initiative, hear from a panel of City leaders about the equitable work the City is currently doing and learn about upcoming opportunities to advance equity for all New Orleanians. After the panel, participants will have the opportunity to workshop and share their own vision of an equitable government.

Building Leadership and Systems to Strengthen Neighborhood Resilience

Taught by Lower 9th Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement & Development

While the city works to grow and diversify its economy across sectors, billions of dollars are committed to investments in environment and infrastructure. Plans like the state's Coastal Comprehensive Master Plan and the city's Urban Water Plan provide thoughtful frameworks for guiding investments. However, there are questions facing New Orleans neighborhoods and communities on how these systems will impact residents. This track will examine how these relationships will benefit local communities, impact civic-engagement infrastructure and work across all sectors--public, private and nonprofit--to capture leanings from these processes and adapt accordingly. Discussions related to Flood Maps, Sea-Rise, Environmental Justice, youth programs and community-engagement opportunities with the New Orleans Port will be explored.

Emerging Neighborhood Trends that Impact Housing

Taught by HousingNOLA

In New Orleans, there is now a sense of urgency around the issues of equity, displacement, and the right of self-determination for neighborhoods. HousingNOLA is a 10-year partnership between the community leaders and dozens of public, private, and nonprofit organizations working to solve New Orleans’ affordable housing crisis. In September 2016, HousingNOLA released its first Annual Report Card, which provided an honest assessment of citywide efforts to address housing issues since the release of the HousingNOLA Preliminary Report in August 2015. As part of the process, HousingNOLA designed Neighborhood Typologies to track neighborhood change and assist with housing policy and funding choices by grouping neighborhoods with similar conditions. Participants will review the neighborhood typologies and discuss the specific policy interventions for each of the five kinds of neighborhoods.

Leading in Challenging Times: Strategies for Engaging Complex Systems

Taught by Neighborhoods Partnership Network

When times are great, everyone’s a hero. When times are tough, great leaders step forward. This workshop is intended for participants in key leadership positions. How does a leader inspire others not to give up; to go to that next meeting; to provide input to that new plan; to convene that next gathering? This workshop will be highly interactive, incorporating the current landscape and situation and seeking individual solutions to individual challenges.

Principles, Practices, and Strategies for Equitable Community Development

Taught by Central City Renaissance Alliance

This course is designed to offer a theoretical basis and practical application of community economic development. Participants will become familiar with basic concepts and terms. We will present an array of strategies and tools that are tried and true and highlight local economic development projects that have proven successful.

2015 New Orleans Neighborhood Summit

Theme

Resilient Neighborhoods: Rebuilding Together for a Stronger New Orleans

Location

Dillard University – Professional Sciences Building

Workshops

  1. Discovering Community Leadership
    In this workshop, we discussed the fundamentals of building a strong neighborhood or community group, strategic planning, and community leadership. Central City Renaissance Alliance and Neighborhoods Partnership Network led this workshop. 
  2. Resilient New Orleans
    In this workshop, we discussed resilience, Resilient NOLA (the Mayor’s resilience initiative), coastal and environmental affairs, and how to prepare your neighborhood for environmental events. Lower 9th Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development and the Office of Coastal and Environmental Affairs led this workshop. 
  3. Housing NOLA
    In this workshop, we discussed the strategic direction of housing initiatives in New Orleans and how your community can be involved. The City Office of Community Development, Providence Community Housing, and the Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance led this workshop. 
  4. Working Strategically with Government
    This workshop explored all of the various tools, resources and initiatives available through the City of New Orleans to help you report neighborhood issues, educate your neighbors, and stay engaged in City government. The Mayor’s Neighborhood Engagement Office led this workshop. 

2014 New Orleans Neighborhood Summit

Theme 

Strengthening Neighborhoods: Doing Civic Work Together

Location

Dillard University – Professional Sciences Building

Featured Workshops

  1. Building civic work through effective public relationships
  2. Understand change models for neighborhood action
  3. How to mobilize a campaign-ABO case study
  4. Multiple Lines of Defense (Environmental and Coastal Affairs)
  5. Strategies for building youth and adult civic partnerships
  6. Building community, promoting equity in neighborhood revitalization

Featured Panel Discussions

  1. Equity Caucus-Foundation for Louisiana
  2. The Neighborhood Capacity Building Initiative
  3. NOLA FOR LIFE: The Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS)
  4. Environmental Justice: Coastal & Environmental Affairs

2013 New Orleans Neighborhood Summit

Theme

Working Strategically With Government

Location

University of New Orleans – Lindy Boggs Conference Center

Featured Workshops

  1. Asset Mapping
  2. Addressing Blight
  3. Diversity/Cultural Competency 
  4. Engaging Government  
  5. Creating Campaigns and Taking Action     
  6. Resident Leadership
  7. Civics for Immigrant Communities      (maybe Language Access)     
  8. Youth Engagement and Leadership      
  9. Promoting Community-School Partnerships     
  10. Understanding Market Value Analysis

Featured Panel Discussion

  1. Blight Remediation and Reduction
  2. NOLA FOR LIFE – Mayor Landrieu’s Comprehensive Murder Reduction Strategy 

2012 New Orleans Neighborhood Summit

Theme

Sustainable Neighborhoods: Preparing Leaders, Connecting Communities & Promoting Effective Strategies

Location 

University of New Orleans – Lindy Boggs Conference Center

Featured Workshops

  1. Advocating for your Community
  2. Discovering Community Leadership
  3. Basics of Community Organizing
  4. Using Arts and Culture to Revitalize your Community
  5. Mobilizing and Engaging Youth for Community Building
  6. Building Effective Partnerships
  7. Land Use and Zoning
  8. Blight Remediation and Neighborhood Marketing
  9. Using Data to Build Your Case
  10. Promoting Healthy, Green Neighborhoods