News and Updates

May 15, 2018

Neighborhood Spotlight: Pastor JB Watkins, Faubourg St. Roch Improvement Association

by Valerie Bouldin, Liaison
Filed under: community, leadership, neighborhood, neighborhood spotlight

  1. How long have you lived in your neighborhood?  I have lived in the St. Roch neighborhood for 11 years.
  2. What do you love about your neighborhood?  A few things I love about my neighborhood include its diversity, historic nature, as well as its authenticity and raw character.
  3. What successes have you had in your neighborhood?  In our neighborhood, we have successfully transformed a former corner grocery store into a community church that has become a safe space for a variety of activities such as neighborhood community meetings, Narcotics Anonymous meetings, after school programs and youth activities along with other programs geared toward affordable housing etc.
  4. Based on your success in St. Roch, what advice would you give to other neighborhood leaders?  My advice to other neighborhood leaders would include, getting to intimately know the people of your neighborhood-not just those who are affluent but also those often overlooked.  I would also encourage leaders to be present amongst the people and to always keeping first and foremost the interest and wellbeing of the community as a whole as your primary goal.  I would also encourage leaders to preserver in the good work knowing that your work is not in vain.
  5. Why do you love New Orleans?  I love New Orleans for multiple reasons, but primarily because of its authenticity-its unapologetic stance at being unique and real.  And of course it's history, food, and music.
 

Neighborhood Topics

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