ABOUT EAST NOLA BDD
LETTER FROM THE 2020 CHAIRMAN
T
he East New Orleans Business Development District (ENOBDD) is a non-profit, 501(c)3 established to foster, coordinate and catalyze initiatives that improve the business climate and quality of life in East New Orleans through new business development, infrastructure improvements, and image enhancement, in order to grow good jobs in The East, attract investment, facilitate growth in tax revenues and the overall economy in the City of New Orleans. The 13-member board of ENOBDD is comprised of a cross section of experienced business executives and respected civic leaders, whose track records have garnered community support, public and private sector partnerships and other diverse resources to implement a targeted economic revitalization strategy for East New Orleans. COMMERCIAL AND RETAIL DEVELOPMENT The organization is strategically focused on attracting new business, retail and commercial development along existing commercial corridors in The East.
BLIGHT, BEAUTIFICATION & QUALITY OF LIFE ENOBDD works toward improving the appeal and marketability of major commercial corridors in The East. The organization continues to work with Code Enforcement at the city of New Orleans to eliminate commercial and residential blight. Additionally, community “clean-up” events are implemented throughout the year. Regular communication is maintained with the Department of Public Works for infrastructure improvements and repair, as well as the New Orleans Police Department for accountability in public safety.
IMAGE ENHANCEMENT AND BRANDING Although one of the largest communities in the city and home to many of its recognizable assets, New Orleans East has long endured unfavorable branding. ENOBDD has been at the forefront of reversing this trend by communicating with media organizations on how they report on The East. The organization is requesting a change in how maps of the East are drawn, to affect more accuracy in information reported about East New Orleans, especially as it relates to crime. Additionally, members of the ENOBDD board have developed a report card to grade city agencies on public services and their responses to needs in our community.
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The EAST New Orleans
Sean M. Bruno Chairman 2019
Dear Readers,
Who would have thought, when we first set out to celebrate education in New Orleans East, that we would find ourselves in the midst of a global pandemic by the time our magazine reached newsstands? At the time of writing this letter, we’re facing school closures through the end of the academic year, and the journey past that is still rife with uncertainties. However, times such as these should serve as a reminder that it’s more important than ever to invest in the future: in our children, in our next workforce and in the next leaders of our community. Doing that means continuing to prioritize educational programs and opportunities, and continuing to pave the way for future generations. Given the right tools and attention, our children can ensure we make the strides necessary to reach a brighter, bolder future. Even in times of darkness and turmoil, their power, passion and potential serves as a beacon — and a much needed assurance — that we can emerge stronger and wiser. We have done it before, as you will see in these pages, and we will do it again. Hurricane Katrina’s impact on New Orleans East is still felt today, but our community has worked hard to restore and revitalize our educational system. Our students now have access to new and upgraded facilities, and our educators, like High School Teacher of the Year Stephen Goodly, are setting the tone for leadership statewide. It can be all too easy to feel defeated in the face of yet another hardship, but giving up is not the New Orleans way, and it is certainly not the New Orleans East way. Through it all, we remain united and focused on reaching even greater heights. We don’t just do it for ourselves: we do it for anyone who will ever call New Orleans East home. We hope this issue of The East magazine sparks a light inside each of our readers and reminds us all that greatness can be achieved right here and right now. All we have to do is reach out our hands and lead the way. Sincerely, Sean Bruno, Chairman East New Orleans Business Development District
