Brenda Wesley Jackson, Ph.D.
President
Lake Carmel Homeowners Association and Lake Carmel Subdivision Improvement District
How long have you lived in the New Orleans area and in Lake Carmel?
I am a native of New Orleans and have lived here all of my life. However, I have been a homeowner in the Lake Carmel Subdivision for nearly 20 years.
How did you get involved in your neighborhood?
I got actively involved in my neighborhood meetings almost immediately after moving into the Subdivision. I was informed about the monthly meetings through door to door flyers that were distributed throughout the Subdivision. The meetings were held, at that time, at the Read Branch Public Library. After attending several of the meetings, I was asked to serve as acting Treasurer. I sometimes was asked to take the minutes at the meetings. In 2004/2005, I was unanimously elected to take over as President and have been in that position ever since, even though we have had elections of officers every two years.
I am the type of person who likes to be involved with things that I feel I can help to improve/strengthen and to ultimately make a real difference in. I have served in leadership positions in several other organizations, both on the local, regional and national levels and therefore feel equipped to make a difference in my own neighborhood association. This is my home environment, the place where I reside and I want to have a say in not only my family’s safety and quality of life but the safety and quality of life of those whom I am surrounded by—my Lake Carmel Family.
What do you love about your neighborhood?
I love the fact that most of my neighbors are homeowners and are not only concerned about how the outside of their homes look (upkeep of lawns, etc.), which is major, but are genuinely concerned about each other. In my opinion, this makes it feel like you are surrounded by family—“we are our sisters and brothers keepers”- and those are the kind of people who have your best interests at heart and what I love about my neighborhood.
What successes have you had in your neighborhood?
One of the major successes that we have had in my neighborhood is when we, the Lake Carmel Subdivision Improvement District, applied for and were awarded an Urban Beautification Lease agreement with the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA) in 2016 for a 20 year lease agreement of land, at the entrance of the Lake Carmel Subdivision now known as the Lake Carmel Community Park. Along with the lease agreement, NORA, through NORA Green, planted more than 100 trees along with one year maintenance for the trees.
Additionally:
- Updated Act of Restrictions
- Website developed
- Fencing around the perimeter of the Community Park
- Annual and successful “Night Out Against Crime”
- Annual Christmas Holiday Decorating Contest to encourage beautification in our neighborhood
*The Lake Carmel Subdivision is considered by many to be one of the BEST subdivisions in New Orleans East and also one of its ”Best Kept Secrets.”
What are you working on right now in your neighborhood?
Right now I am working on securing internet and wi-fi services in our Security Booth and upgrading the security cameras throughout the Subdivision
Any words of advice for other neighborhood leaders and change makers?
- Stay vigilant and always professional
- Keep the lines of communication open with your residents
- Have regular meetings and keep minutes
- Follow Robert’s Rules of Order when conducting meetings
- Send out flyers and newsletters to keep residents informed on neighborhood developments
- Encourage your residents to attend meetings and get involved
- Develop “thick skin” and try not to take criticisms personally
- Develop and update your website regularly
- Do not get easily discouraged
- Solicit ideas and suggestions for improvements from others
- Keep an open mind to ways of doing things differently
- Treat others the way you want to be treated
- Always Strive for doing your very best at whatever you do
Share some random facts about yourself:
- I serve as 1st Vice President and Commissioner of the East New Orleans Neighborhood Advisory Commission (ENONAC)
- I serve as Vice Chancellor for Research and Strategic Initiatives and Executive Director of Title III Programs at Southern University at New Orleans.
- I am a team player, a “workaholic” and always strive for excellence in whatever I do.
- When I commit to something, I follow through with it and expect others to do the same