The trailblazing social innovators featured here have all believed in the possibility of finding new solutions to old problems. We hope you find their start-up stories inspiring. The purpose of chronicling and profiling the courageous start-up stories and needs of New Orleans social entrepreneurs is to elevate New Orleans social entrepreneurship to a global audience, to better communicate New Orleans' progress and needs, and to build momentum for the social change movement.
Carol Bebelle / Ashe Cultural Arts Center
Combining the intentions of neighborhood and economic development with the awesome creative forces of community, culture, and art to revive and reclaim a historically significant corridor in Central City New Orleans.
Kyle Berner / Feelgoodz
Promoting eco-consumerism, supporting fair trade manufacturing processes, and enhancing Southeast Asian community development through sales of recyclable, biodegradable, all-natural rubber flip-flops.
Yasmin Bowers & Andrea Floyd / Consciously Rebuilding
Advocating for a sustainable New Orleans. Creating a transitional home for individuals seeking career and housing opportunities.
Randy Crochet / World's Healthiest Pizza
Just a fanatical desire to improve your health and well-being one slice at a time.
Craig Cuccia / Cafe Reconcile
Fueling economic vitality and growth in New Orleans by supporting youth workforce development programs, creating jobs, and encouraging entrepreneurship and home ownership in socio-economically depressed neighborhoods.
Jac Currie / Defend New Orleans
Fostering local pride in New Orleans. Supporting New Orleans nonprofits through "Defend New Orleans" merchandise sales.
Angela Daliet / Save Our Schools New Orleans
Save Our Schools New Orleans supports public participation and oversight to ensure that every child has access to high quality public schools in New Orleans.
Kimberly Dilosa / YOUTHanasia Foundation, Inc. / teenzMATTER Productions
Leading the Campaign to Rebuild a Teen-Friendly Greater New Orleans
Cliff Doescher / ARC of Greater New Orleans
Securing for all people with developmental disabilities the opportunity to develop, function, and live life to their fullest potential.
Vaughn Fauria / New Corp
A business assistance center with a mission to help physically challenged people and minority-owned business grow and prosper.
Greta Gladney / The Renaissance Project
Working hard to rebuild every corner of the Ninth Ward, to create a culinary program at Frederick Douglass Senior High School, and to give our children access to the arts.
Cherice Harrison-Nelson / Big Chief and Big Queen Book Project
Our mission is to enhance academic achievement and opportunities through leveraging the New Orleans cultural community. Read Profile.
Andreas Hoffman / Green Light New Orleans
Working to reverse global warming by helping New Orleans low- and middle-income families and individuals make the switch from incandescent bulbs to energy efficient compact fluorescent lights, one house at a time.Read Profile.
Christopher Kane and Christian Jensen / Desire NOLA
Rebuilding the Greater New Orleans area by assisting locally-owned small businesses that embody the unique culture and ambience of New Orleans through grants and business development. Profile coming soon.Profile coming soon.
Michael Karnjanaprakorn / alldaybuffet
We are a social action brand for the creative maverick. Our purpose is to connect the things we like with the things that matter the most. Our network is a family of likeminded people around the world working toward the same ideals.Read Profile.
Ronald Lewis / House of Dance and Feathers
An open-air cultural museum in the Lower Ninth Ward dedicated to rebuilding and preserving the traditions of the Lower Ninth. Profile coming soon.Profile coming soon.
Liz Lichtman / RUBARB (Rusted Up Beyond All Recognition Bikes)
RUBARB is now a community bike shop in the 9th ward, in which youth participate in an earn-a-bike program, enjoy art activities, go on field trips, and read books. Read Profile.
Richard McCarthy / Marketumbrella.org
Marketumbrella.org initiates and promotes the ecologies of local economies by developing markets, mobilizing people and resources, mentoring emerging leaders, and modeling best practices. Read Profile.
William & Tess Monaghan / Build Now
We are enabling displaced New Orleans residents to return to new, high-quality, elevated homes, site-built on their property.Read Profile.
Aesha Rasheed / Parent Organizing Network
By providing high quality information about public schools, building strong parent groups and networks, and advocating for parent and family-friendly policies, Parent Organizing Network helps parents move out of the margins to take a central role in transforming public education.Read Profile.
Joanna Rosenthal & Ariya Martin / The New Orleans Kid Camera Project
We seek to empower children through art, and to help them find their voices through photography, writing and other creative mediums. Read Profile.
Melissa Sawyer / Youth Empowerment Project
By providing intensive case management, mentoring and educational services to at-risk New Orleans youth, the Youth Empowerment Project strengthens each young person's capacity to successfully connect with his or her family and community and lay the foundation for a healthy transition to adulthood. Read profile.
Linda Stone and Angie Green / The Green Project
Advocating for a sustainable New Orleans and salvaging paint and high-quality building materials to keep them out of the landfills.
Derrick Tabb and Allison Reinhardt / The Roots of Music
A free after-school music education program founded by members of the Rebirth Brass Band that will build a nationally-recognized marching and provide alternatives for at-risk youth.Profile coming soon.
Reuben Teague and Will Bradshaw / Green Coast Enterprises
Creating a sustainable development corporation that builds environmentally sound and affordable structures in the Gulf Coast.Profile coming soon.
John Thompson and Tracy Pratt / Resurrection After Exoneration (RAE)
We are building an exoneree-run transitional home and enterprise for men recently released from prison, providing them with services to help break the cycle of dependence and poverty with medical, financial, legal, and educational aid.Read profile.
Erica Trani / IN Exchange
A fair trade store helping local and global artists and merchants generate income.
Sarah Usdin / New Schools for New Orleans
A nonprofit organization dedicated to achieving excellent public schools for every child in New Orleans. Read profile.
Dr. Kyshun Webster / Operation REACH
Engaging, empowering, and inspiring children, youth, and familiesRead Profile.
Jane Wholey / Kids Rethink New Orleans Schools
Kids Rethink New Orleans Schools (Rethink) supports and empowers young people to use their experiences, voices and leadership for positive change in their schools and in their world. Read Profile.
Morgan Williams / Student Hurricane Network
A national association of law students dedicated to providing long-term assistance to communities affected by Hurricane Katrina.Read Profile.
Tim Williamson / Idea Village
The Idea Village is a 501(c) (3) economic development organization whose mission is to ignite innovation by providing strategy, talent and resources to entrepreneurial ventures. Read Profile.