New Orleans Neighborhoods Partnership Network

2009 Neighborhood Educator Fellows

PICTURES OF FELLOWSHIP RECEPTION – MARCH 18th, 2009 at Le Phare

Getting Started – Core Class

Audrey Browder, (Pontilly Disaster Collaborative) – With close to 20 years experience in planning and community-based development, its no wonder that President Bush presented Audrey Browder with the Volunteer Service Award. An experienced Project Manager and advocate, Ms. Browder has worked with many organizations. Audrey is focused on “collaborating with peers to find solutions for neighborhood issues.”

Kysha Brown Robinson (Central City Renaissance Alliance) – As the Executive Director of Central City Renaissance Alliance, Kysha Brown Robinson calls on her skills and know-how in leadership, facilitation and nonprofit development to move the community forward. Her unique experience in community development and in the nonprofit sector give a wide view of how groups and organizations can use various structures to position themselves to work effectively and collaboratively to transform communities. Kysha is more than ready to “Get Started.”

Developing A Gameplan – Core Class

Kevin Brown, (Trinity Christian Community) – Kevin Brown is the Executive Director of Trinity Christian Community, a faith-based community development ministry that seeks to develop urban leaders, build community capacity and transform communities. A former psychotherapist, author and radio talk show host, Kevin returned to the Hollygrove neighborhood where he was raised in 1998, and began working to develop young leaders who could transform the community. Since Katrina, Trinity Christian Community has deployed hundreds of AmeriCorps members throughout the city, helped to rebuild over 1,700 homes, began constructing 13 new homes in the community and worked with almost 20,000 volunteers who have given over 400,000 volunteer hours and partnered with AARP to develop a unique neighborhood transformation partnership in Hollgrove. Kevin is a member of several boards including Pratt Stanton Manor, Rebuilding Together, the Carrollton-Riverbend Neighborhood Association, the Federation of Churches and the Carrollton Hollygrove Community Development Corporation. He is the recipient of the Presidential Award for Service and is the Chaplain for the New Orleans Hornets.

Leroy Crawford, (Lower 9th Ward Neighborhood Empowerment Network – NENA)
One who does not shy away from on-the-ground organizing, Leroy Crawford will share his unique skills and perspectives as a 2009 Fellow. Whether leading the Block Captain program in the Lower 9th Ward or teaching youth empowerment, Mr. Crawford is passionate “..to give others the tools needed to grow both internally and externally.”

City Hall 101 – Core Class

Jennifer Farwell, (Mid-City Neighborhood Organization, MCNO) – Jennifer Farwell, the sitting vice president of the Mid-City Neighborhood Organization, has for the past several years applied her passion for historic housing and community advocacy to the recovery of her neighborhood. That work frequently led her to City Hall, where she learned to successfully navigate the complex and sometimes confusing processes that confront neighborhood organizations. By trade, Ms. Farwell is a marketing and public relations specialist. She believes that the powers of presentation and persuasion, considered paramount for success in her industry, are important tools all citizens can use to be more effective voices for their communities.

Davida Finger, (Loyola Law Clinic) – Davida Finger is an attorney at Loyola Law Clinic in New Orleans where she teaches the Community Justice clinic. Davida expects that the collaborations that develop from Capacity College will enhance her own ability to be an effective community advocate for social justice. She hopes that by participating, she will provide support to community and neighborhood groups for increased access to legal advocacy. Davida is committed to a vision where attorneys serve as part of a team for community empowerment to build stronger, community-based advocacy systems and networks for positive, social change.

Building Relationships for Common Goals – Core Class

Barbara Lacen Keller, (Central City Partnership) – Barbara Lacen Keller, a grassroots leader, who has unselfishly worked for over 40 years for and in the community, to actively engage residents and community based organizations to collaborate on identifying and solving problems that affects their lives. Barbara Lacen Keller has and playing a pivotal role in the city’s recovery examples are many, traveling thought out Texas and Georgia connecting with folks from New Orleans to assist where possible. She is also co-founder of the Central City Partnership, Central City Comeback Committee, Central City Health Coalition. Her love for the “living culture” of New Orleans was the incentive to become founder of the Social Aid and Pleasure Club Task Force, Gathering of Sisters, and co-author of the plan to develop Resident Councils. To work with her, is to go where the “action is.”

Pam Dashiell, (Holy Cross Neighborhood Association) – Since 1990 Pam Dashiell has been a tireless advocate and leader with the Holy Cross Neighborhood Association. Pam Dashiell is a model of civic involvement, beginning as a volunteer Board Member until reaching her current position as the Co-Director of the Holy Cross NA / 9th Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development. Pam “…expects to learn as much as much as she passes along.”

Neighborhood Economics – Core Class

Tilman Hardy, (Leondias Pensiontown Neighborhood Association) – A renaissance man of New Orleans, Tilman Hardy is a real estate agent, certified community manager, developer and nonprofit board member with energy to spare. Working to improve the greater Carrollton Area, Tilman Hardy’s knowledge of neighborhood redevelopment and funding resources are a great fit for the Neighborhood Economics Core Class.

Valerie Robinson, (Old Algiers Main Street) – For over 6 years Valerie Robinson has led the Old Algeirs Main Street Corporation; transforming it from a volunteer initiative to a state-designated Urban Main Street corridor. With a knack for marketing and business, Valerie Robinson understands the delicate ecosystem of Neighborhood Economics.