Missions Bayou

Alison Hotard and Josie Delaune are the Executive Director and President of YLC. We sit down with them to talk about YLC’s 40th anniversary, why retaining young professionals matters in New Orleans, and how the organization is evolving, including alumni “Where Are They Now?” spotlights, a reunion, and fresh pathways for skills-based volunteering, mentorship, and civic engagement. We also dig into...

Chuck Morse is the Executive Director and Bernadette Carriere is the Director of Thrive Business at Thrive New Orleans. We sit down with them to talk about the Barbara Lacen-Keller Park project in Central City, why honoring a beloved civic leader and culture bearer matters now, and how replacing concrete with green space can cool the neighborhood, reduce crime, and capture stormwater (targeting ~1...

Austyn Malynn is the Program Manager at Girls on the Run New Orleans. We talk about how their after-school program pairs joyful movement with social-emotional learning to rebuild confidence for girls ages 8–14, culminating in a noncompetitive, “happy pace” Spring 5K where every finish is a win. We cover why confidence dips in middle school, why girls drop out of sports at higher rates, and how GOT...

Alexis Marceaux is the Director of Community Programming for the Lafitte Greenway Partnership. We sit down with Alexis to explore how the Lafitte Greenway transformed from a post-Katrina grassroots vision into a vibrant 2.6-mile linear park connecting six New Orleans neighborhoods. Alexis shares how the Greenway’s programs, like the Supernova light and music festival, engage local communities and...

Don-Scott Cooper is the Producing Executive Director of Le Petit Théâtre, one of the oldest theaters in the United States. We sat down with Don to explore the incredible 108-year history of Le Petit, from its founding by French-speaking performers in 1917 to its ongoing role as a cornerstone of New Orleans’ vibrant arts scene. Don shares what makes live theater irreplaceable, why communal storytel...

Eric Seiferth is a curator and historian at the Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC). We sat down with Eric and our special guest host, Scott Tilton, to talk about HNOC’s two powerful new exhibitions: Making It Home , which tells the story of New Orleans’ Vietnamese community starting in 1975, and The Trail They Blazed , a deep dive into the local civil rights movement from the 1950s through the...

Nia DeCoux is the Education Manager at BK Historic House and Gardens, a French Quarter museum that tells the layered stories of New Orleans through the lens of one historic home. We sat down with Nia, alongside special guest host Scott Tilton of the New Orleans Foundation for Francophone Culture (NOUS Foundation), to explore how BK House is reclaiming space for locals in a neighborhood too often t...

Toure Folkes is the Executive Director of Turning Tables, a New Orleans-based nonprofit that is redefining what leadership looks like in the city’s hospitality and spirits industry. We sat down with Toure to talk about how his 12-week externship program is helping create real career paths for bartenders from underrepresented communities. The program combines hands-on training, mental health resour...

Jordan Cressy, Director of Impact and Innovation, and Eric Walter, Jr., Director of Impact and Post-Secondary Experiences at Junior Achievement, join us to discuss JA Startup, a new program designed to support young entrepreneurs in New Orleans. Focused on 18–25-year-olds who already have businesses, JA Startup provides mentorship, a comprehensive resource guide, and up to $25,000 in funding to he...

Chase Mattison is the co-founder of Feels, a digital marketplace connecting visitors to local nonprofits, and Mike Springer is the owner of Book NOLA, a hospitality company helping guests experience New Orleans. We sat down with them to talk about how Feels is reshaping the way businesses and visitors support New Orleans nonprofits through easy, hyperlocal giving. We dive into how the platform red...

Clara Baron-Hyppolite is the Executive Director of College Beyond, a nonprofit helping Louisiana students, especially those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, navigate the college application process and access the financial aid they need to succeed. We talk with Clara about the recent drop in FAFSA completion rates since the state mandate was repealed, and how that’s impacting college a...

Tifferney White is the CEO of the Louisiana Children’s Museum, and she’s leading a major expansion that’s reshaping how the museum serves older kids and teens. With a new $2.5 million grant from the Lilly Endowment, the museum is “aging up”—adding exhibits for youth up to age 14 and launching a teen mentorship program designed to build leadership and life skills. We talk with Tifferney about how t...

Nellie Catzen is the Executive Director of the Committee for a Better New Orleans. We sat down with her to talk about how civic engagement in New Orleans can be reimagined through joy, culture, and community. Nellie shares how the organization’s “Better New Orleans Block Party” flips the script on traditional civic spaces by bringing the work of democracy to the people—in their neighborhoods, thro...

Sarah Bell is the Chief of Industry Exposure and Experience, and John Cosper is the Director of Employer Partnerships at YouthForce NOLA. They join us to share how their team is connecting high school students in New Orleans with paid internships that build both career readiness and confidence. Through 60+ hours of soft skills training and over 100 hours of real-world work experience, YouthForce i...

Gerald Duhon is the Executive Director of the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI). We sit down with Gerald to talk about the Hospitality Investment Training (HIT) program which helps young adults in New Orleans access career pathways in the city’s most iconic industry. Gerald breaks down how the program addresses gaps in traditional hospitality training by focusing on function...

Scott Tilton is the Co-founder and Director of the Nous Foundation, the New Orleans Foundation for Francophone Cultures. We sit down with Scott to talk about why now is the critical moment to open a cultural center dedicated to preserving Louisiana’s French, Creole, and Indigenous heritage. Scott shares the history behind Louisiana’s declining French-speaking population, the cultural discriminatio...

Larry Irvin is the Executive Director of Brothers Empowered to Teach, and Arianne Craig Jolla is the organization’s Chief Operating Officer. Together, they’re leading the charge to increase the number of Black male educators in classrooms through initiatives like Pipeline 360. With Black men making up only 1.3% of public school teachers nationwide, Larry and Arianne break down why this matters, ho...

William Stoudt is the Executive Director of Rebuilding Together New Orleans, a nonprofit tackling the long-term impact of Hurricane Ida by repairing and fortifying roofs for low-income homeowners. We sat down with him to talk about how his team is helping New Orleanians stay in their homes by building safer, stronger roofs—starting from the top down. From blue tarps to rising insurance rates, Will...

Looking to grow your business in New Orleans? Eric Paskewich (Director of Entrepreneurship) and Damian Clark (Strategic Project Manager) from Propeller join us to break down how their revamped Impact Accelerator Program is helping local entrepreneurs scale with purpose. Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow, this episode covers the resources, mentorship, and real-world support av...

James Karst is the Communications Director at the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL), and he joins us to talk about the urgent fight to save Louisiana’s coast. With over 2,000 square miles of wetlands lost in the past century—an area the size of Delaware—James breaks down why this crisis affects everyone, from local communities to the economy and hurricane protection. We discuss CRCL’s...

Alexander Bigbie is the Executive Director of Flyte, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting small businesses—especially Black women-owned businesses in Southeast Louisiana. He joins Missions Bayou to share how Flyte is filling gaps in the business support ecosystem with accessible, virtual programming, a focus on financial wellness, and long-term mentorship. Unlike traditional accelerator programs, F...

Sarintha Stricklin is the Executive Director of Jefferson Ready Start Network, working to expand access to affordable, high-quality early childhood education in Jefferson Parish. We dive into the childcare crisis, discussing how the lack of affordable options forces parents out of the workforce and costs Louisiana over $700 million a year. Sarintha breaks down the impact on businesses, families, a...

Sam McCabe is the Director at the Center for Entrepreneurship and Community Development at Loyola University. We dive into how Loyola is expanding its role in New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW) by hosting a two-day summit focused on innovation, AI, and the creator economy. We also discuss how Loyola’s Jesuit values drive its commitment to community impact, providing students with hands-on entrep...

Jon Lee, Executive Director, and Brenna Byrne, Program Director of Youth Run NOLA, join us to talk about how their 504K race is making running fun, inclusive, and accessible for all. This annual event goes beyond competition—it's about community, joy, and movement. We discuss how the race removes barriers, fosters belonging for youth, and creates a space where everyone, regardless of ability,...