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The Honorable Cedric L. Richmond
Cedric Levan Richmond, 50, has given decades of service to New Orleans, the state of Louisiana and the United States.
He’s been a state legislator, U.S. Representative from the 2nd Congressional District, senior advisor to President Joe Biden, director of the national Office of Public Engagement, and now senior advisor to the Democratic National Committee. Richmond also chaired the Congressional Black Caucus from 2017 to 2019.
He was born in New Orleans East, graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School and then Atlanta’s Morehouse College, where he pitched on the baseball team. He got his law degree from Tulane and completed an executive program at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
His service to President Biden began in earnest in 2020, when he was co-chair of Biden’s election campaign. In both Baton Rouge and Washington, D.C., Richmond has long advocated for education funding and addressing dropout rates, criminal justice reform, water management and storm protection, and eliminating systemic racism wherever it exists -- including housing markets that are stacked against people of color.
“We have to start breaking down barriers in housing,” Richmond said in 2021, “making sure that African-Americans can pass down wealth through home ownership, and that their homes are not valued less than homes in different communities.”
Richmond has long fought for Democratic ideals and reforms -- in Louisiana and across America -- that will someday ensure equal opportunity. That’s what the Blue Horizon dinner is all about – looking forward and working for change.
“We stand with Cedric Richmond in all that he fights for, and we’re inspired by his determination,” said Raven Lyons, chair of the Jefferson Parish Democratic Executive Committee. “We’re proud to recognize him with the Blue Horizon Award.”
Champions of Service in the Community
Lydia Bolden and Gisele Gougisha
Lydia, 77, of Avondale and Gisele, 66, of Gretna have been a dynamic pair for the Helping Hands Ministry at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Marrero. Together, they have more than 50 years in the ministry, making a major impact for those in need. They became Helping Hands coordinators when the Covid pandemic hit four years ago, and their leadership “has been tremendous,” says Father Sidney Speaks, pastor at St. Joseph the Worker. Lydia and Gisele have initiated or organized and participated in many community-sustaining efforts – including Christmas in July Baskets for the elderly, Thanksgiving Baskets, the Free Clothing Store, Christmas Giving Tree, Third Saturday Drive-By Hot Meals, fruit baskets for those sick or shut in at home -- and more. “They work together as sisters in the field,” says Pastor Speaks. “They understand serving people is more than handing out food. Their compassion and patience jump out.”
Stewart (Redd) Hartman
Redd, 30, of Gretna is working tirelessly to support the community as an innovative educator and entrepreneur, plus coaching football at West Jefferson High School in Harvey. He graduated from West Jeff and was class president each year, starred in football and gave the graduation keynote speech. He went to Howard University in Washington, D.C., where he was inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success. He now focuses his considerable energy on empowering youth – last year, Redd led a group of 150 orphans on a trip to Nairobi, Kenya. “Every day, I’m able to wake up and do something I love -- help a kid experience life,” Redd says. “I want to expose as many kids as possible to what life has for them.” He’s founder of Redd’s World LLC, the non-profit Redd’s World Foundation, and Young REDD Entertainment, which hosts events across New Orleans.
Candice Huber
Candice (they, them), 41, of Kenner has translated love of literature into a mission to increase access to books and promote inclusivity. Candice started Tubby & Coo’s, named after their grandparents, as New Orleans’ “premier, geeky, queer, progressive and genre-focused bookstore.” Last year, they converted Tubby & Coo’s into a traveling store for book fairs, launch parties, author signings and pop-ups at places such as Second Line Brewing, Hi-Ballz, The Good Shop and Virgin Hotels. The mission is to offer “queer and genre fiction books, build community, and demand social justice. We envision a future where everyone is empowered, able, and encouraged to tell their own stories, regardless of social class, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, religion, race, age, or culture. Every voice deserves to be heard.” Candice has also supported Books 2 Prisoners and launched TALES Publishing (four books published so far).
Maria Pabon
Maria, 61, of Jefferson was born to Puerto Rican parents in Japan, where her father was a tech sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. She is former dean of the Loyola University Law School in New Orleans, continues to teach and is a national expert in immigrant rights. She’s also a prolific author -- with articles in the Harvard Latino Law Review, Georgetown Immigration Law Journal, Seton Hall Law Journal, Revista Juridica de la Universidad Interamericana, and more. In 2013, Hispanic Business named her one of America’s 50 most influential Hispanics, and she’s been honored by the National Latino Law Students and the National Diversity Council. Her advocacy ranges from aiding voter registration to helping immigrants navigate legal thickets to volunteering with Familias Unideas en Accion. She’s now focused on combating Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry’s anti-immigrant policies. “We don’t need racial profiling in Louisiana,” she says. “We don’t need Louisiana sheriffs involved in immigration. That is a federal issue.”
Danisha Shaw
Danisha, 31, of Kenner has put an extraordinary stamp on the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program she teaches at Kenner’s Bonnabel Magnet Academy High School. Under Danisha’s guidance, JAG students learn about leadership, personal development and civic responsibility, and they make a difference in the school community – helping special ed students and supporting Bonnabel athletes, among other projects. Danisha’s community involvement includes training and coaching young basketball players, a natural path for her. She starred at Wiley University in Texas in 2012-14 and played pro basketball for six years in Mexico, Argentina and Kosovo before returning to the town where she grew up. She’s pursuing a Masters of Social Work online at Herzing University. Her path is clear, she says: “I am blessed to be at the service of others. I want to keep inspiring hope, love, peace and happiness.”
Brenda Brent Williams
Brenda, 73, of Harvey began her service at age 14 -- packaging clothing for children in need, even though in her own family, she says, “We didn’t have a lot. We had to stretch the dollar.” Brenda, recently elected to the Jefferson Parish Democratic Executive Committee, never says no to a chance to help others. Her volunteering has included chairing the Louisiana Civil Rights Advisory Board, leading the Jeremiah Group, mentoring in Children of Promise, serving on the Jefferson Parish Children and Youth Planning Board, and supporting – with fellow Champions of Service honorees Lydia Bolden and Gisele Gougisha – many outreach programs at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church. It was Brenda who nominated Lydia and Gisele for their awards. “Brenda doesn’t just tell me A-B-C, she doesn’t just sit there,” says Pastor Sydney Speaks. ”She gathers folks, gets things done. She’s a warrior on the ground.”