Latin American Delegation Visits New Orleans African American Museum  

Art in Action Event to be Held on June 4

On Saturday, June 4 Artfully AWARE will hold "Art in Action: An Evening of Community, Live Painting, Music, Food and Conversation" from 6:00-9:00 pm at M. Francis Gallery, 604 Julia Street in New Orleans. Speak and paint with local artists and experience first-hand the ways in which art is helping to empower and revitalize communities. A partner of the NOCDC, Artfully Aware implements a range of educational arts programs locally, nationally and internationally, in order to promote empowerment, cultural understanding and individual and community development. The June 4 event is being held in conjunction with the First Saturday ArtWalk on Julia Street. Proceeds will support Artfully AWARE's projects in Africa and their cross-cultural education programs in New Orleans. It is free to enter the M. Francis Gallery. Participation in the painting sessions is $45, and space is limited.

For more information visit:
http://artfullyaware.wordpress.com/2011/05/11/art-in-action-an-evening-of-community-live-painting-music-food-and-conversation

NOCDC hosts Interfaith Dialogue with Interfaith Works  

Mr. Erik Schwarz

On May 4, the NOCDC in conjunction with Interfaith Works, hosted an interfaith discussion at the Ashé Cultural Arts Center for 17 African visitors participating in the IVLP's "Religious Tolerance and Interfaith Dialogue in the U.S." program. The discussion comprised of short presentations addressing more traditional interfaith models such as public dialogues and clergy-to-clergy interaction as well as newer innovative models that incorporate social entrepreneurship and youth-driven philanthropy. 

Mr. Erik Schwarz, Managing Partner of Interfaith Works and Co-Director of the Institute for Faith & Service, facilitated the event and also participated by discussing how social entrepreneurship has a role in interfaith discussion. Mr. Schwarz has studied and taught world religions at Amherst College and American University. He is active with the boards of Hands On New Orleans and the Unity Walk as well as the Episcopal Ecumenical Commission.  He also has private sector experience in art services and has worked for the U.S. Senate as a legislative aide.

The group enjoyed a lunch at Café Reconcile, where founder Mr. Craig Cuccia and Director of Development Mr. David Emond of Café Reconcile briefed the visitors about the cafe's history. The visitors also attended the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

The French American Chamber Summer Wine Festival June 25

The French American Chamber of Commerce, Louisiana Chapter will hold its 12^th annual French Summer Wine Festival "Everything French" on Saturday, June 25 from 6:00-9:00 pm at Canal Place.   

Participants will enjoy French music, food from French and other local restaurants, and French wines. The event will also feature an auction. Tickets are $45 for FACC/LA members, $55 for non-members, and $65 at the door. Complimentary parking is available in the Canal Place garage. For information or tickets, email info@facc-la.com, call (504) 458-3258 or visit: http://2011summerwinefestivaleverythingfrench.eventbrite.com/.

U.S. Embassy Mauritius highlights IVLP visit

From June 7 - 10 a group of 17 African visitors participating in the International Visitor Leadership Program on "Grassroots Democracy in the U.S." will travel to New Orleans as the final stop on their U.S. tour. A press release  from the U.S. Embassy in Mauritius contains information on the group's visit to the United States, including details about Mauritian visitor Roukaya Kasenally, a lecturer at the University of Mauritius. View the press release at http://mauritius.usembassy.gov/20110523_pr_kasenally.html. 

Thank you to our Professional Resources!  

Thank you to our professional resources, who met with our international guests in late April and May, 2011.

Amistad Research Center - Mr. Lee Hampton, Executive Director

Ashe' Cultural Arts Center - Ms. Carole Bebelle, Director; Mr. Luther Gray, Community & Cultural Programs

Café Reconcile - Mr. Craig Cuccia; Founder and Director of Capital Projects; Sr. Mary Louise Specha, Executive Director; Mr. David Emond, Director of Development

East Jefferson Clergy Association - Imam Omar Suleiman

French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI) - Ms. Marci Schramm, Executive Director; Mr. Greg Schatz, Entertainment Manager

Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO Inc.) - Ms. Jenny Hunter, Vice President of Business Development

The Gulfsouth Youth Action Fund - Mr. Hamilton Simons-Jones

Horizon Initiative - Ms. Grasshopper Mendoza, Chair, Water Management Sub-Committee; Dr. Alim Hannoura, Co-Chair Water Management Sub-Committee

Interfaith Communications International - Rev. Dr. William Mackintosh

Interfaith Works - Mr. Erik Schwarz, Managing Partner; Ms. Nancy Murray; Ms. Allison Bailey; Ms. Kathryn Dickerson

Louisiana Interfaith Disaster Recovery Network - Ms. Jessica Vermilyea

Loyola University Center for Environmental Communication - Dr. Robert Thomas, Professor and Chair

Masjid-ur-Rahim - Imam Rafeeq NuMan

New Orleans African-American Museum of Art, Culture, and History (NOAMM) - Ms. Ashanti George-Paulin

New Orleans Faith Health Alliance - Ms. Luanne Francis

New Orleans Healing Center - Manbo Sallie Ann Glassman

New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board - Ms. Madeline Goddard, Deputy General Superintendent

St. Paul's Episcopal School - Ms. Merry Sorrells, Head of School; Ms. Lisa Davis, Development Director

Board & Staff