|
Our Philosophy
Louisiana Democracy Project, Inc. works under a philosophy, which acknowledges the inherent benefits of a heightened
participation by the public in the democratic process.
Activities undertaken during the fall of 1998 marked
the first effort at fulfilling this belief. The hosting of a community meeting entitled Call of the Drum at Southern University
brought over 150 participants together to hear distinguished speakers such as former Untied States Congressman Cleo Fields,
Deacue Fields, Assistant Commissioner of Minority Affairs in the State Department of Elections and Registration and Dr. Margaret
Pereboom, a local Psychologist and Community Activist. Additionally, in collaboration with other community-based organizations,
the Louisiana Democracy Project, Inc., sponsored several successful conferences in the local community on topics specifically
related to Environmental Justice and Community Empowerment.
The Louisiana Democracy Project, Inc., has historically
sponsored student interns from Southern and Louisiana State Universities. In the spring of 1999, four college students attended
a conference at Howard University in Washington, D.C. called Campaign Finance Reform as a Civil Rights Issue.
Louisiana Democracy Project, Inc., to promotes citizens call to action when the ideals of democracy are threatened.
As a means of stalling the growth of voter apathy, The Louisiana Democracy Project, Inc. has been vigilent
in conduction educational meetings, to confront problems and put in place preventative measures necessary to effect change.
Our Board
Board Members Bio
1. Rev. Sharon Adams- African American pastor of a chapel located on the campus of Louisiana State
University. Rev. Adams organizes the annual citywide Kwanza program held in Baton Rouge. In 2000 she headed up the Louisiana
Democracy Project, Inc. Earned Income Credit program. Along with Public Accountability she headed two Louisiana Democracy
Project, Inc. forums at the Delmont Community Center in Baton Rouge and the Zachary public Library in Zachary. She has served
on the Louisiana Democracy Project, Inc. High Stakes Testing initiative which included parent trainings at Martin Luther King
Center in Baton Rouge and Northeast High School in Chaneyville.
2. Claudia Anthony- African American- student- President
of Omega Tau Pi service organization on the campus of Southern University. She is the founding president of Youth In Power
a community organization focusing on environmental justice. Claudia served as the first Louisiana Democracy Project office
manager. Participated in Campaign Finance Reform as a Civil Rights Issue held at Howard University Law School, the 1999 Selma
Bridge Crossing . December 1999 she helped in organizing La. Democracy Project, Inc. youth participation in the National
Emergency Gathering of Black Advocates for Environmental and Economic Justice.
3. Stephanie Anthony- African American-
President- see attachment
4. Tony Brown- African American union organizer- graduate of Howard University School
of Law. Tony takes the place of Dan Nicholi of Labor Neighbor. Tony served as a presenter for the Democracy South 2000 SORTI.
He is set to lend his experience in setting up a canvas as a pilot program. He has served as a presenter in the January
15, 2000 La. Democracy Project grant writing workshop on alternative forms of funding. Served as a presenter for LDP Grant
Writing Workshop 2000. (pending to come on board)
5. Shelia Collins African American- student- After being physically
active and participating in the 1999 Selma Bridge Crossing youth trip, Shelia has graduated from Southern University moved
to Franklin, Louisiana and participates electronically.
6. W.R. Gobert- Caucasian American-disabled- An advocate
of injured and displaced employees. Mr. Gobert wages a battle over the constitutionality of the Louisiana Workers Compensation
Law and asserts that these job damaged people have been made a suspect classification of people. He has participated in LDP
Call of the Drum, Follow the Money, Networking Meetings-Toot Your Horn.
7. Paula Henderson- Caucasian American *-
environmentalist Paula is a professional activist and heads up both the National Environmental Trust and Common Cause.
8. Ora Hutchinson- African American- Sect./Tres. Housing advocate and Census Accuracy Advocate, Ora has worked diligently
on Louisiana Democracy Project, Inc. projects including Call of the Drum and Follow the Money. Ora heads the Louisiana Democracy
Project, Inc. parent initiative, she has helped to organize on the middle school level and has become a parent spokesperson
before the local school board.
9. Dr. Jim Mitchell- Caucasian American-Vice President- Transportation advocate
and professor of environmental science at Louisiana State University. He has participated in LDP Call of the Drum, Follow
the Money, Networking Meetings-Toot Your Horn, the LDP Strategic Planning Retreat, the 1999, the Democracy South Transportation
meeting in Atlanta, LDP Training and Strategic Planning in New Orleans, LDP Grant Writing 2000 and Grant Writing Step by
Step 2000.
10. Patrice Niquille- African American School Board member instrumental in Louisiana Democracy Project,
Inc. parent trainings on High Stakes Testing. She participated in the 1999 LDP Training and Strategic Planning in New Orleans
LDP Grant Writing 2000.
11. Rev. M. Cobb Thomas- African American- AME pastor . She has participated in the founding
convention of USAction in Chicago. Participated in the Institute for Conservation Leadership Executive Directors/Board Training
in New Orleans. Participated in the Democracy South 2000 SORTI, in Miami Beach, Fla., Grant Writing Step by Step 2000.
12. Juanita Williams- African American- state worker- gun safety advocate. Participated in the 1999 LDP Training
and Strategic Planning in New Orleans, La. Communities United convention in Gonzales, National Emergency Gathering of Black
Advocates of Environmental and Economic Justice in Kenner, La..
13. Beverly James- African American- school employee-
housing advocate, small business women
14. Gloria Green- African American- disabled- housing advocate
|
