NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Amidst growing concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and the direct impact facing the New Orleans community, Young Leadership Council (YLC) made the decision to cancel its annual spring concert series, YLC Wednesday at the Square presented by AOS Interior Environments.
“YLC Wednesday at the Square is a beloved springtime tradition for many New Orleanians,” says Board President, Kevin Ferguson. “Our decision to cancel the season does not come easily. As an organization dedicated to leadership development through community service and civic engagement, we must lead by example and prioritize public safety during this unprecedented time.”
The spring concert series is not the only YLC programming being suspended as the organization encourages its young professional leaders to utilize technology to continue programming while adhering to best practices regarding public safety and large groups.
The 2020 season would have marked the fifteenth anniversary of YLC Wednesday at the Square, the organization’s primary fundraiser and largest revenue stream for its nine community-service projects. YLC urges its loyal Wednesday at the Square attendees and the broader community to support YLC during this challenging time by making a $15 donation to support fifteen years of music. Donations will support YLC leadership development programming and community service projects focused on three pillars: leadership development, youth development, and sustainability, as well as the 2021 season of YLC Wednesday at the Square. Donations can be made at ylcnola.org.
“At this time, we have made the difficult, but correct decision to pivot our energy from producing a concert series to focusing on our larger role in the community. It is our responsibility to work with our members to support those in New Orleans who need our services the most,” says Executive Director, Stephanie Powell. “That first starts with highlighting ways people can support the food and artist vendors, along with, businesses and musical talent who are all impacted.”
In light of these events, YLC encourages the public to support the restaurants, artists, and businesses who are impacted by the loss of revenue by purchasing gift cards to restaurants, albums and band merchandise, or visiting the webstores for Artists Village vendors. In addition to supporting YLC, they encourage the public to make donations to the GNOF Disaster Response and Restoration Fund, in addition to supporting the musicians, artisans, restaurants, and nonprofits impacted by the cancellation of the 2020 YLC Wednesday at the Square concert series. A full list of participants is available on YLC website at ylcnola.org/covid-updates
Young Leadership Council’s mission is to equip young professionals with the leadership tools and skills necessary to make an impact on the community. While YLC generally develops leadership through hands-on community service projects, the COVID-19 virus presents our members and volunteer leaders the opportunity to develop and deliver leadership development programming and provide community service in periods of social distancing.
Young Leadership Council thanks their volunteer committee who plans the Wednesday at the Square series: co-chairs and YLC Board Members Garlan White and Lena McCloskey, and committee volunteers: Nicole Harvey, Matthew Treuting, Dan Jatres, Katherine Hammer, Emily Rebert, Marina Brazhnikova, Corey Kiper, Amanda Reese, Brittany Whitsell, and Zachary Addison.
YLC is grateful to their sponsors, members, partners, and to the committed and loyal Wednesday at the Square attendees for their patience and support.
