On Oct. 14, more than 700 guests in black-tie attire gathered at the Sheraton Hotel for the Young Leadership Council and ABC26/CW38 Children First “Role Model Gala, ” themed “Celebrate New Orleans.”
This year marked an important milestone, because it was the YLC’s 20th gala. And the focus of the event—the honorees—remains the same. The YLC chose 21 people for their positive work for and affect on the community: Lauren Anderson, Manny F. Blanco, Jim Bridger, Lucianne Carmichael, Dr. Isidore Cohn Jr., Sharon P. Courtney, Mrs. John L. Eckholdt, Preston J. Edwards Sr., Jonathan Ferrara, Brad Grundmeyer, Les Hirsch, Dr. Kevin T. Jordan, Rachel Kincaid, Salvador Longoria, Laura Maloney, Yvonne Mitchell-Grubb, Chris Rose, Dr. Coller Ochsner, Mary Viola Von Kurnatowski, Carol Wise and Becky Zaheri. These names include writers, educators, artists, a gallery owner, attorneys, business owners, doctors and other medical professionals, among others.
The Young Leadership Council is a nonprofit and nonpartisan civic organization. It hopes to develop leadership through community projects and in the past 19 years, the group has raised more than $25 million for its causes via this event.
Rachel Kincaid, Preston J. Edwards Sr., event chair Amy Boyle and Manny F. Blanco
Jim Bridger, Yvonne Mitchell-Grubb and YLC executive director Gerald Duhon
Lee Reid, Laura Maloney and Chris Rose
Chris Reade, Salvador Longoria, Carol Wise and Brad Grundmeyer
Dr. Kevin Jordan, Lucianne Carmichael and Larry Delia
Dr. Isidore Cohn, Sharon Courtney and Jonathan Ferrara