The Idea Village Assist the Belles of Bayou Road Grand Opening

“THE BELLES OF BAYOU ROAD ” ANNOUNCE GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION OF THEIR BUSINESSES AND REVITALIZED HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD

The public event will be held on Monday, December 11 at noon on 2500 Block of Bayou Road

For Immediate Release

December 5, 2006

( New Orleans ) – On Monday, December 11th at 12pm , on the 2500 Block of Bayou Road , Beverly McKenna, owner of The Tribune newspaper, landlord, business mentor, and proud supporter of the businesses on Bayou Road , will host a grand opening to celebrate the businesses and the achievements of the women entrepreneurs, known collectively as “The Belles of Bayou Road.” A ribbon cutting ceremony will be followed by a tour of each shop and light refreshments will be served. Planning to attend this public event are City Councilmembers, donor partners, and neighborhood supporters. Local music legend Charmaine Neville will serenade the group.

Sixteen months after Hurricane Katrina devastated the street and wiped out the neighborhood businesses, the Belles are back – and more committed to their community than ever before. The Belles of Bayou Road include:

• Yashica Jordan , Owner and Director, Jordan 's Learning Academy
• Dwana Makeba, Owner and Stylist, Beauty on de Bayou
• Pam Thompson, Owner and Chef, Coco Hut Caribbean Restaurant
• Vera Warren-Williams, Owner and Operator, Community Book Center
• Alvi Mogilles, Owner and Manager, McHardy's Chicken & Fixin'

According to Beverly McKenna, “Together, these courageous ladies have realized the shared vision of a true entrepreneurial community and have assisted, supported, and encouraged one another as they recover from the storm. We believe entrepreneurs and their ideas are the catalyst to rebuilding New Orleans neighborhoods” ”

Vera Warren-Williams, proud owner of the Community Book Center and community mentor remarks, “As entrepreneurs, we share everything: advice, services, customers, food, and even phone lines! Without governmental assistance, we have grown determined to help each other and help ourselves.”

According to Yashica Jordan , “This day marks an incredible turning point for me, my business, and our community. The collective passion and common desire to revitalize our neighborhood is my motivation to drive to work at 4am and keep smiling until I return home at 6pm in the evening.”

Dwana Makeba adds, “We have a built in support network to remind us that we are in this together. I can count on my fellow neighbors to bring their friends in for hair services and I can depend on my good friend, sistah and mentor Vera for an endless supply of advice and words of wisdom.”

Through assistance from Agenda for Children, Save the Children, Community Playthings, New Line Environmental, Ellie Rand Public Relations, Chuck Ferguson from UFO Gallery and The Idea Village, the Belles will proudly open their doors and share their stories of achieving their entrepreneurial vision. Their courageous spirit is contagious as they inspire confidence in the community that Bayou Road is back in business. This creative combination of entrepreneurs and resources will help ensure a strong and sustainable future for the entire neighborhood.