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How long have you lived in your neighborhood?
I reside in the Upper 9th Ward Desire, and It’s HOME, where I was born and raised. As a youth, I attended Robert R. Motion and Henderson H. Dunn Elementary Schools. Afterwards, Carver Middle and Carver Senior High School. In 2016, I decided to purchase properties across from Sampson Park so that it might serve as a resource center for the youth in the Desire Area. I am a proud product of this community, and very fortunate that I’m able to return back to my childhood neighborhood.
How did you get involved in your neighborhood?
My first involvement with programming in the Desire community came in 1993-1995, when I produced a few festivals at Sampson Park, titled “Culture Shock Back To Hood “African Community Reggae Festival. Community festivals that targeted youth in the Desire/Upper 9th Ward area by implementing a platform using music and art to influence the importance of education, leadership, community pride and unity.
In 2008, after completing my time with former Mayor Ray Nagin as the City’s Event Producer, I returned back to the community in 2009 as a volunteer coach and mentor for at-risk youth at Sampson Park with Ancestor Legendary Coach Bob Roy, Sr.
What do you love about your neighborhood?
Memories of a great past history of how the Desire/Florida Community was once a vibrant place with great pride. Places like the Desire Community Center where we’d go for skills development, recreation, growth, discipline and fun. Currently, the love I’ve for my neighborhood is centered around HOPE for the future. That one day the Upper 9th Ward Desire/Florida Community will become a vibrant resourceful community like some of the neighborhoods, like uptown.
What successes have you had in your neighborhood?
One of my greatest successes in the Desire Community was in 2007, when I served as the lead person during the fight to save my alma mater, Carver Senior High School. We succeeded!!! Next, organizing members of the community with support from HandsOn and some of their partners, Enterprise and United Way to revitalize Sampson Park. Obtaining a small grant from Neighborhood Development to have two palm trees placed on the neutral ground for beautification of the area and working with Public Works to have streets signs placed on Johnny Jackson Jr. Blvd. Also, advocating having lots cut, creating a renewed Desire community group for the Sampson Park kids and obtaining a brand new basketball court.
What are you working on right now in your neighborhood?
Organizing a Renaissance Movement for the betterment of the Desire/Florida community.
Revitalization and programming at Sampson Park. Acquiring recreational equipment, uniforms and acquiring coaches. Completing the lot and house I purchased, so later it can be used for community gathering and youth activities. Working with Councilmember Eugene Green to bring us new businesses in the area and making some area a Commercial Zone. Producing an annually Desire/Florida Community Day, TBA
Any words of advice for other neighborhood leadersand change-makers?
After assessing the needs in your community, go serve and lead by example. Take the intitative, create an action plan, get others involved, and then proceed to do the necessary work with good intentions. The universe will open up with an abundance of support, resources and opportunities to advance your mission. And by all means, purchasing an abandoned lot or a blighted building near you. God isn't creating any more land, so you might as well purchase what's available in your own neighborhood.