Board of Directors
We are proud of our Highly Regarded Team!
Jerome Smith
Chair Emeritus
Living legend and cultural icon, JEROME “BIG DUCK” SMITH is a Freedom Rider and leader of the modern Civil Rights Movement. Founder of Tamborine & Fan and a convener of the 1976 Claiborne Avenue Design Team who created the I-10 Multi-Use Study, upon whose work the Cultural Innovation District (CID) “under the bridge” is founded. In 2018, as New Orleans celebrated its 300th birthday, along with the launch of the CID, the city proudly recognized Mr. Smith’s life work as part of its “300 citizens for 300 years” during the Tricentennial. Click to read the Times Picayune’s biographical sketch. Biographical Link
Judith Williams Dangerfield
Board Chair
Kristyna Jones
Board Vice Chair
KRISTYNA JONES is the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer for Brothers Empowered to Teach (simply called Bet). Bet’s mission is to inspire black men in college to consider teaching as a career. Before starting bet in 2014, Kris spent 15 years working in neighborhoods developing new housing for families and community-based assets like schools and libraries.
Born in Cleveland (Cleveland Rocks) raised in a big town near New York City, Kris attended NYU where she studied Urban Studies and then went on to get her Masters in Urban Policy from The New School—a liberal arts school best known for Parsons School of Design.Click here to read entire bio
She moved to New Orleans in 2010 at the request of her best friend Amber. Though the company she worked for closed their doors in 2011, Kris stayed. Prior to working on BET, she ran the Louisiana Loan fund and was the head underwriter for the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority.
Kris mentors a lot of little sisters and brothers. Fun wise, she loves to dance, listen to music, read all the things, and talk about sports.
Dr. Beverly Guillory Andry
Board Secretary
DR. BEVERLY GUILLORY ANDRY Dr. is an accomplished Professor and Executive with extensive experience in business, education and consulting, featuring Entrepreneurship and collaboration within universities, non-profit organizations, and in small business development.
Dr. Andry completed a Ph.D., in Public Policy & Urban Affairs from the Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy & Urban Affairs, Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA. She has additional Ph.D. studies from Louisiana State University College Of Business Administration, Baton Rouge, LA and holds Master Of Business Administration (M.B.A.) Degree from Tulane University A.B. Freeman School Of Business and a Master Of Arts Degree (Urban Planning) from the University Of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA. Dr. Andry holds a Bachelor Of Science Degree (Sociology) from Xavier University, New Orleans, LA. Click here to read entire bio
Dr. Andry has been a Professor at the Department of Business, Xavier University, New Orleans, LA; and an Instructor at University Of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA; Concordia University Wisconsin, New Orleans Center, New Orleans, LA; Ashe College Unbound, Ashe Cultural Arts Center, New Orleans, LA (Affiliated with Roger Williams University). She is currently Adjunct Professor, Department of Business, Delgado Community College, New Orleans, LA.
Dr. Andry exhibits highly-developed administrative skills and strong interpersonal and communication skills gained through a broad range of administrative / supervisory, teaching, and counseling positions through her career. These include Interim Executive Director and Community & Economic Development Director of St. Mark’s Community Center, New Orleans, LA; Program Director of the Women’s Entrepreneurs Business Center, under the auspices of the Southeast Louisiana Black Chamber of Commerce; as well as, Deputy Director, City of New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission.
Dr. Andry believes her strong organizational, leadership, and planning skills gained from project planning, establishing networks within the business community, and the ability to solve problems with innovative solutions, integrity, and loyalty, is best demonstrated in her numerous and extended engagements with community organizations. She maintains a strong ability to interact and communicate easily and effectively with individuals from all backgrounds and socio-economic groups. She has served in leadership positions with several organizations such as the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Festival Board of Directors and its Community and Economic Development Committee (Founding Chair); the Jazz Centennial Celebration Foundation, (Past Board President); Broad Street Development Corporation (Past President); Ashe Cultural Arts Center Board of Directors, (President); Mid-City Community Development Corporation (Past President); City of New Orleans Master Land Use Planning Advisory Committee, Mid-City Neighborhood.
Dr. Andry credits her strong academic and financial skill for effective work in the community to provide clear direction to help improve organizations and individuals with financial management. She has worked passionately with students in developing budgets, both as part of small business development programs and in the classroom. As an experienced teacher, she counsels many clients, developing consumer skills on why and how to manage required funds and maintaining stability over long term.
Dr. Andry has many certifications and licenses in such fields as National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship, NxLevel Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship; and Insurance-Property and Casualty/Life, Health, and Accident; Online Teach and Learn Course series.
JC Celestin
Board Treasurer
JC CELESTIN is a real estate investor and developer. He is the Principal at Une Belle Maison LLC, a leading real estate firm that specializes in residential and commercial development in the Greater New Orleans area. Prior to retiring from banking, Celestin was Senior Vice President at Whitney Bank, where he was responsible for managing commercial relationships and lending practice in the New Orleans market. Prior to joining Whitney, Celestin was Senior Vice President at First NBC Bank, and formerly Chief Commercial Lending Officer and Senior Vice President at Dryades Savings Bank. Click here to read entire bio Celestin has served on the board of the Regional Transit Authority of New Orleans, Tulane Association of Business Alumni, Haiti-New Orleans Task Force, and Urban League of Greater New Orleans. He is currently on the board of the East New Orleans Business Development District, Families Helping Families, Community Development Capital, and chairs the Economic Development Advisory Committee. Celestin was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and raised in Miami, FL. He earned a BS in Management with a double-major in Finance and Marketing, and a Minor in Computer Information Technology, at Tulane University. Celestin completed his MBA from the University of New Orleans. He is a longtime member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Carol Bebelle
Board of Directors
My Dear New Orleans
“All my life, you have been my touchstone, the place where I fit in and belong. I know the cadence of your heartbeat and the rhythm of your streets, My Dear New Orleans. You have shown me life so sweet, it brings joy to my heart and life so hard it makes me cry……….I have learned balance and how to keep it in the New Orleans equation that offers such a wonderful blend of culture, art, lifestyle, spirit and just plain living.”
Carol Bebelle 2007
CAROL BEBELLE (a.k.a. Akua Wambui) co-founder and executive director of Ashe’ Cultural Arts Center, is a native New Orleanian who was born and raised in the 7th ward and grew into womanhood in the Carrollton area of New Orleans. She spent over 20 years in the public sector as an administrator and planner of education, social, cultural and health programs. Click here to read entire bio In 1990, Carol embarked on a path of independence that started with establishing Master Plan Development Associates (MPDA), a private consulting firm that offered planning, development, and grant writing services to human service programs and initiatives. Her clients were nonprofit organizations in the areas of health, social, education, arts, cultural, and religious programs; and entrepreneurs and artists. By 1995, Bebelle realized that the cultural and creative heartbeat of New Orleans was an un- and under-tapped resource on the landscape of community development. She realized that the power of culture and creativity combined could help to unleash progress, improvement, and economic inclusion for many of the under-represented members of the New Orleans community. In 1998, Bebelle and Douglas Redd founded Ashé Cultural Arts Center in Central City, New Orleans. Ashé, as it is familiarly known, is a pivotal force for the revitalization and transformation of Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard, formerly known as Dryades Street, into an African and Caribbean cultural corridor. Bebelle and Redd became active members of the Central City community and the organizations at work to develop that community and its vision. Known affectionately as “Mz. B” and “Mama Carol” in the community and around the world, Bebelle is a published poet and writer. She has to her credit a book of original poetry “In a Manner of Speaking,” and is represented among other New Orleans writers in the anthology “From a Bend in the River,” edited by Kalamu ya Salaam. She has several published interviews, testimonies and a chapter in the publication “Civic Engagement in the Wake of Katrina,” edited by Amy Koritz, Ph.D. and George J. Sanchez Ph.D. She also joined a group of notable authors for the art exhibit catalog “Ashe to Amen.” Her most recently published work appears in “Didn’t Wash Us Away: Transformative Stories of Post Katrina Cultural Resilience,” edited by Charlie T. Johnson and Louise Mouton Johnson. She serves on several boards in the community and around the country, and is a frequently sought-after panelist and keynote speaker. Bebelle is a recipient of several local, national and international awards and commendation. Recently Bebelle receiving a Medal of Honor from the City of New Orleans and the designation of one of 300 significant contributors to history of New Orleans. But, she prizes most the role she plays being a cultural and racial healer and a contribution to the overall development and evolution of her community, city, nation and the world. Her ultimate aspiration and intention is to play a part in evolving a culture in American society that can support and foster equity and justice as a norm of our existence. Habakuk 2:2 Write the vision down plainly on tablets for the vision has its time, presses on to fulfillment and will not disappoint. If it delays wait for it, for it will surely come.
Jamal Brown
Board of Directors
JAMAL BROWN is a born and raised New Orleanian. He earned a B.S. in Marketing from Loyola University, New Orleans and a graduate degree in business administration from Tulane University. Jamal is the HR & Finance Manager for Torsh, Inc. Jamal Brown previously worked for Liberty Bank and Trust Company in its Community Development Division and the New Orleans City Director for the Black Alliance for Educational Options. Jamal has also sat on several boards in New Orleans including Teaching Responsible Earth Education, 100 Black Men of Metro New Orleans, and The New Orleans Multicultural Tourism Network. Jamal is married with three children.
Edgar "Dooky" Chase, IV
Board of Directors
EDGAR “DOOK’ HASE, IV is Owner/President of Chase Concessions, LLC and Dook’s Place Restaurant and Seafood Bar in the New Orleans International Airport. Chase holds a Masters of Business Administration, and a formal Culinary degree from Le Condon Bleu Paris, France. Edgar has been active in the hospitality industry for over 20 years; spending much of that time learning and then managing at his family’s flagship restaurant, Dooky Chase’s in Treme. Chase also worked as an analyst for Entergy Corporation for 7 years, before completely transitioning over to his own business, full time. In 2013, Chase Concessions became a joint venture partner for management and operations of food and beverage concessions at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport; concurrently, in January 2016, he opened Dook’s Place, a full service restaurant and bar, in the airport as well. Since that time, Chase has been awarded another ten year contract to operate in the new New Orleans International Airport slated for opening Fall 2019, as well as a contract for food and beverage operations at Boston Logan airport. Click here to read entire bio Edgar Chase is active in his community and civically involved in a number of non-profit boards and commissions; he sits on the New Orleans Covenant House board of directors; is a board member of UJAAMA Economic Development Corporation, and a board member of the New Orleans African American Museum. Vice President of the Claiborne Avenue Merchants & Business Association.
Flozell Daniels, Jr.
Board of Directors
FLOZELL DANIELS JR., President CEO of Foundation for Louisiana (formerly the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation), is a public policy and community engagement strategist with expertise in community development, resilience building, legislative strategy and leadership development. With a focus on building successful coalitions that increase success in expanding economic opportunity for all, Flozell is accomplished in expanding capacity and outcomes in areas that include community development finance, criminal justice reform, Click here to read entire bio coastal/environmental policy, transit equity and asset development. Flozell has led more than $50 million of award-winning community investment strategies while at the Foundation. Prior to his appointment at the Foundation, Flozell served as Tulane University’s Assistant Vice-President & Executive Director of State and Local Affairs for nine years. Before that, he cut his public policy and community engagement teeth as an Urban Policy Specialist & Administrative Assistant in the Office of the Mayor, Division of Federal and State Programs for the City of New Orleans. As part of his civic work, Flozell is also a founding member and Board Chairman of the Orleans Public Education Network, and has served as a commissioner of the Mayor’s Working Group on Criminal Justice Reform in New Orleans that led to historic reductions in jail size.
Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes
Board of Directors
ASALI DEVAN ECCLESIASTES is a mother, daughter, educator, organizer, author, event producer, performance artist, and community servant. Most know her by her many pursuits, but the way this writer knows herself and the world around her, is through her exploration of the word. Embedded in the cultural soil of New Orleans and watered by the writings of her literary idols, Kalamu ya Salaam, Sonia Sanchez, and Toni Morrison, Asali has grown to bask in the sun of her literary heritage—from the sages who transformed pharaoh to God in Ancient Khemet to the Spy Boys who chant the way clear for Big Chiefs on Carnival Day. Ms. Ecclesiastes excitedly brings her deep roots in New Orleans’ indigenous culture to her work as the new Chief Executive Officer of Efforts of Grace and Ashé Cultural Arts Center. Click here to read entire bio
Prior to joining Ashé, Ms. Ecclesiastes served as Director of Strategic Neighborhood Development for the New Orleans Business Alliance, where she designed equitable development strategies for high impact neighborhoods—empowering resident leaders and making bold commitments to address entrenched disparities. She became devoted to this mission as the Claiborne Corridor Program Manager for the City of New Orleans’ Mayor’s Office, where she advanced place-based projects and secured funding within six priority areas: economic opportunity, cultural preservation, affordable housing, transportation choice and access, environmental sustainability,
and safe & healthy neighborhoods.
Before her brief life in government, Ms. Ecclesiastes worked as Congo Square Coordinator for N.O. Jazz & Heritage Festival, Artist Relations Director and Empowerment Seminars Author for Essence Music Festival, and Executive Producer of Tremé 200 Festival, N.O. Juneteenth Festival, Tremé/7th Ward Arts & Culture Festival, and Akoben Words-In-Action Festival. She has taught in New Orleans public schools, universities, and prisons, and continues to utilize her spoken and written word as a platform for societal change through art and social justice for all humanity. Asali has toured nationally with the critically acclaimed, “Swimming Upstream”, a play she co-wrote with a cohort of extraordinary NOLA women, exploring life in New Orleans following the post-Katrina flood and produced by author of the Vagina Monologues, Eve Ensler. The author of two TED Talks and chosen as one of the 300 most influential citizens for the City’s Tricentennial, Ms. Ecclesiastes is a 2019 Tulane University Mellon Fellow who counts among her honors President Obama’s 2012 Drum Major for Service Award, the New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian Council’s 2013 Queen’s Scribe Award, and Essence Magazine’s 2018 Excellence in Service Award.
Ms. Ecclesiastes is a graduate of McMain Magnet High School and Vanderbilt University, where she earned Bachelors of Science in English Literature and Secondary Education, with minors in Biology and African Diaspora Studies—a program she co-founded at the university with her sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. As she embraces her new role as CEO of Efforts of Grace and the Ashé Cultural Arts Center, Asali holds the wisdom of Zimbabwean author Matshona Dhliwayo who proclaims, “To help people takes strength, to inspire people takes wisdom, to rule over them takes virtue, but to elevate them takes love. The real power of a leader is in the
number of minds she can reach, hearts she can touch, souls she can move, and lives she can change.”
Fred Johnson
Board of Directors
FRED JOHNSON grew up in and around New Orleans’ Seventh Ward and is the Executive Director of the Neighborhood Development Foundation. As a child he was fortunate to experience firsthand the riches of the heart of New Orleans African American culture; Parade clubs, Black Indians, Brass Bands and its musical, social and economic by-products. Fred first masked Indian at the age of 13 with Chief Tootie and the Yellow Pocahontas. He served as Spy Boy for 17 years, fulfilling the huge daily spiritual, physical and financial commitment which truly being an Indian demands; Click here to read entire bio Over the years Fred has participated in numerous interviews and documentaries, freely giving his valuable historical knowledge and unique insight. A creator and preserve of culture, a mentor, a community leader, a father and grandfather; Fred Johnson’s life and achievements have made an indelible mark on the culture of New Orleans. As he goes forward, Fred continues to hold fast to his commitment to help people achieve wealth through homeownership and the traditions and ideals of the culture which created him.
D. Joan Rhodes
Board of Directors
MS. RHODES is a 3rd generation member of the Rhodes Family of New Orleans. The Rhodes Family of Businesses is a combination of Funeral Homes, a Life Insurance Company and a transportation company, which is currently owned by 3rd generation members and operated by the both3rd and 4th generation family members.
After serving over forty years in the family business as President of the Rhodes Life Insurance Company of New Orleans, Joan recently retired from full-time duties but remains active in Family Corporate Boards with limited daily activities. She is presently involved in Real Estate Development as well as the Redevelopment of the City of New Orleans. Her commitment is to see both the cultural and economic renewal of the city be restored. She is a Licensed Funeral Director and a Licensed Insurance Agent. Click here to read entire bio She is a resident of Treme . She is an active participant in many Cultural events in the Treme area and around the city. Her past affiliations are: Her present affiliations are: Ms. Rhodes is a graduate of Xavier Preparatory High School and Dillard University of New Orleans where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She has also taken continuing education courses in Mortuary Science and Life Insurance.
Gentilly Pedescleaux
Board of Directors
New Orleans native, MS. GENTELLE PEDESCLEAUX is a traveling Certified Dance Fitness Instructor and Choreographer who began her dance career at the tender age of four in the heart of Tremé. Under the tutelage of Jerome “Big Duck” Smith, founder of Tamborine and Fan, Gentelle learned at a very early age to blend art and activism.
Gentelle credits her dance style to being heavily influenced by secondline music and being an active participate in “The Original Super Sunday” which led her at the age of 9 to appear before Mrs. Winnie Mandela; and many can testify, Gentelle is often caught in a trance whenever second-line music is played. Click here to read entire bio Post Katrina, Gentelle moved to Atlanta, Georgia where she worked with AmeriCorps to study, teaching dance to youth; she continued her studies in Berlin, Germany with artists Carlos Neville and YA/YA founder Jana Napoli among others. It was there she choreographed “The youth challenge for Solidarity” as a tribute to the displaced youth of New Orleans. While abroad she worked very closely with the Institute of Cultural Diplomacy thus, being presented with the opportunity to teach at Brandenburg International school. She presented her early work in her New Orleans hometown at numerous dance spaces and non-profit organizations in efforts to continue to enrich New Orleans’ youth—the theme is always mentoring through movement, fitness, and fun. This masterful approach allowed her to work directly with National recording artists, such as Cupid, at The Steve Harvey Neighborhood Awards. She has also performed with Gospel recording artist Kierra Sheard, and currently choreographs for New Orleans’ own iconic Bounce recording artist, Keedy Black. While working locally at APEX Youth Center, Gentelle was nominated “Dance Coach of the Year” by Up 2 Us Sports; that same year she would work with the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans. She also works diligently with the youth department at The City of Love pastored by Bishop Lester Love and Pastor Fran Love. It was there she choreographed her very first all-male piece of work, the ensemble “If It Isn’t Love” —It was so successfully executed that it gained the acknowledgment and praises of Brook Payne, manager of the famed boy-band who sings it, New Edition. Ms. Pedescleaux would take a break to assist her family, now living in Fayetteville, Georgia, but she returned to her choreography to successfully merge both her work with youth and adults under the mantra “Experience Gen” productions; this new body of work continues to receive wide community support and is anchored in servicing the youthful adults and children at the Ashé Cultural Arts Center on historic Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. Today, Gentelle leads indoor cycling classes and outdoor fitness classes, having launched her own Dance Fitness Movement called the “Body Brigade” which is comprised of beautiful women who represent body diversity and all fitness levels in their efforts to get fit in a fun style.
Terry Williams
Board of Directors
TERRY WILLIAMS has been a resident of New Orleans over 40 years. Terry is a product of the Terrebonne Parish Public School system where he excelled academically and in sports. He graduated South Terrebonne High school in the top of his class. Thereafter, he went on to college with scholarships to Stanford and Loyola University. He has Bachelors and Master’s degrees in Accounting and Management Information Systems. He graduated college Magna Cum Laude (Honors). In 1987, he passed the Uniform C.P.A exam. Click here to read entire bio Terry gained his corporate experience at United Parcel Service where he served many logistical roles and finally became the corporation’s Controller. While there he managed a budget in excess of ten billion dollars and managed over 2000 employees. Currently, he is President of Airware Transportation and Logistics, a DBE, SBE, MBE, NMSDC firm, which employs 72 employees. In addition, he is CFO of AVI Insurance Caribbean. He has worked in over 37 airports (domestically and internationally) and has offices throughout the United States. His firm has managed in excess of 5 billion dollars in capital expenditures. In 2013, he received the National Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) Award for mastering skills in the Aviation industry. His areas of expertise reside in the areas of transportation, insurance, logistics, Accounting and Information systems. Terry’s motto is “make it happen and make it fun.” Terry enjoys working out, golf, traveling. Terry is a member of the Zulu Mardi Gras Non-Profit Board of Directors, Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club (Zulu Mardi Gras Big Shot 2012), Former Black Chamber of Commerce Board of Trustees (Founding Member), N.F.L. Youth Education & Training advisory panel, United Houma Indian Tribal Organization (tribal member), Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC), American Association of Airport Executives (A.A.A.E.), Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, AICPA, and the N.F.L. Alumni charitable committee.