I Am New Orleans Celebrates Youth Leadership
I Am New Orleans’ FutureFest NOLA made a powerful debut at Dillard University on August 20, 2024. Over 500 students from New Orleans Public Schools and local colleges gathered for a day of empowerment, learning and inspiration. The festival featured an engaging mix of performances, workshops and panel discussions, offering a dynamic platform for youth to engage with local leaders and explore opportunities for personal and professional growth.
“Since the inception of I Am New Orleans in 2020, our community partners envisioned a day where we could come together to center and uplift the aspirations of our young people,” said Deirdre Johnson Burel, senior program officer at the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. “Guided by our youth advisory board, FutureFest was the realization of that vision, an event for young people by young people.”
FutureFest NOLA was designed by a youth advisory board to engage, connect and inspire students of different ages. The festival’s design catered to both high school-aged students and young adults, offering tailored sessions that addressed their unique needs and aspirations.
Attendees were treated to an impressive lineup of performances by the Saints Cheer Krewe and mascot Sir Saint and local talents, including Dee-1, Tarriona “Tank” Ball, DJ Raj Smoove and the Brass-A-Holics, with renowned radio personality Wild Wayne serving as emcee. These performances set the tone for a day filled with energy and inspiration.
Participants took part in action-centered workshops and panel discussions led by some of the city’s most influential voices – DJ Johnson, owner of Baldwin & Co., poet and activist Sunni Patterson, artists Jade Meyers and Brandan “Bmike” Odums, Spears Group CEO Cleveland Spears and entrepreneur Rocio Isabel. Topics ranged from mental and physical health to financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and activism, providing practical tools and insights for shaping their futures.
FutureFest NOLA also featured a bustling resource hall with over 25 community organizations, educational institutions and after-school programs. This space connected students with essential resources and opportunities, further supporting their journey toward success.
As the first of what is hoped to be an annual event, FutureFest NOLA’s success underscores the importance of community-driven initiatives in shaping a vibrant, inclusive and equitable future for New Orleans.