Feed the Second Line is non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the culture bearers of New Orleans. We seek to build a more equitable city by creating opportunity for the people that make it a vibrant place.
we began during the early days of COVID-19 - protecting elder culture bearers by buying their groceries and having them delivered to their porches.... in 2020 - 2021, we were able to purchase over $250,000 in groceries for 132 culture bearer elders and their families.... This also created jobs - for shopping and delivering of the groceries.
Then in Aug 2021, Hurricane Ida hit South Louisiana - we shifted immediately to hurricane preparations and relief. We helped move culture bearers living in flood-vulnerable locations ahead of the storm, then spent the next two weeks delivering aid and repairing roofs. Power went out to the entire City of New Orleans, up to 10 days for many neighborhoods. During this time we funded the roof repairs of 154 homes of culture, and also delivered coolers, ice, food, batteries and other supplies to culture bearers who had not evacuated. We also launched "Get Lit Stay Lit" our block-by-block resilience approach that seeks to get restaurants to have solar panels and batteries.
In Summer of 2022, we were able to hire our first full-time employee and future Executive Director, Tinice Williams. Tinice is the mother of three Black Masking Indians and is born and raised in New Orleans. We were very excited to find someone who is passionate and dedicated to the people of New Orleans and our city's unique culture.
Since Summer 2022, we have continued to evolve - working on creating a stronger safety net for New Orleans (Get Lit Stay Lit, addressing Salt-Water issues, ect) and building a "healthy culture" through children's programming, community events, and more.
We look forward to growing as an organization - and helping our city and her culture even more.
President - Devin De Wulf (founder of Feed The Second Line / Krewe of Red Beans)
vice president - Colin Ferguson - Where Y'art
secretary - Ryan Albright - Tulane
Treasurer - Nathalie Jordie, Hotel Peter and Paul
Directors:
Big Chief Dow Edwards
Dr. Jarret Johnson
Queen Tahj Williams
Benjamin "Wild Wayne" Props
Karen Marshall
