On Wednesday, December 6, students from SLA’s 2023 Philanthropy and Social Change course gathered in Dixon Recital Hall to present a total of $12,000 in grants to three New Orleans artists and community leaders. The awards, sponsored by the Doris Buffett Learning by Giving Foundation, are the culmination of a class that teaches students the process and value of philanthropy through a social justice lens. Friends and families of the winners were also in attendance for the event, which was hosted and organized by the students.
Throughout the ceremony, student speakers and award recipients alike emphasized the role of music and the performing arts in preserving and promoting the unique cultural heritage of New Orleans, and across the African diaspora.
The first award of $2,000 went to Elenora Rukiya Brown, a visual storyteller, artist, and masking Indian queen. As an artist, Brown tells stories of her Chahta American Indian identity and African culture through dolls, or “soft sculptures,” quilts, and other mixed-media pieces. Quinn Cappiello, a student from the course, presented the award, saying “The way Eleanor uses and shares her talents to promote craftsmanship as healing for youth is truly inspiring.”
After greeting the crowd with “Halito,” the Chahta word for hello, Brown gave an emotional speech about her love for New Orleans and the resilience of its people. “It’s in your DNA to create and to give from your heart,” said Brown.
Avery Liggon, another student from the philanthropy course, presented the next award to Nkem Big Chief Brian Harrison Nelson, the youngest known big chief in New Orleans Black Mardi Gras Indian history. Expressing gratitude to Tulane, his ancestors, and his family, Big Chief Nelson highlighted the significance of using the $3,000 grant to restart his anti-violence youth literacy program.
The Big Chief wore a traditional West African Grand Boubou, and was decked head-to-toe in his favorite color purple. He also teased his forthcoming single: a blend of Mardi Gras music, jazz, and bounce.
The third and final award was given to Zohar Israel and the Free Spirit Network, an organization that student Lucy Vanderbrook described as “a remarkable initiative passionately committed to the preservation and celebration of African heritage through the vibrant rhythm of drum and dance.”
On stage Israel played the ngoni, a string instrument from Mali, traditionally used in West African storytelling. He plans to use the funds to buy new drums for the at-risk and under-resourced young students in his music education classes. “Everyone is putting them in the corner, I’m putting them up front,” Israel says.
The Philanthropy course, taught by Leslie Scott, an assistant professor in Theater and Dance, is part of the Strategy, Leadership and Analytics Minor (SLAM). Award winners were chosen from more than 50 applicants, and students spent the semester getting to know the individuals and institutions. Last year's class recognized the efforts of N'Fungola Sibo and the African Dance Drum Company, Inc., and Angela Herbert White for her music education program Make Music Nola. In their selections, students highlighted the importance of supporting New Orleans artists and culture bearers, ensuring that the city's artistic traditions thrive and endure for generations to come.