The 2025 Empowerment & Policy Conference & Gala, presented by the Urban League of Louisiana, will take place October 28–30, 2025 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. This year’s conference theme is “UNITE: A call for Louisiana to close divides and build pathways to shared prosperity, justice, and opportunity.” and will bring together leaders, advocates, and changemakers to advance equity and opportunity across Louisiana.
The Empowerment & Policy Conference takes place
Tuesday, October 28 and Wednesday, October 29
featuring four dynamic tracks and a special youth symposium:
- Authors & Advocacy
- Civil Rights
- Health Equity
- Wealth Generation
The event concludes with the Annual Gala, an inspiring celebration of leadership, legacy, and impact that honors those driving lasting change in our communities.
Thursday, October 30
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Great Hall
7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Attire: Cocktail or Formal/Festive Accents Welcome!
Sustaining the Movement Sponsor
Platinum Benefactors
Gold Benefactors
Silver Benefactors
Bronze Benefactors
Benefactors
* Acceleraise * The Business Council of New Orleans & the River Region * City Park Conservancy * LCMC Health *
* Louisiana Public Health Institute * Ochsner Health Systems * Port of New Orleans * Power Coalition for Equity and Justice *
* Slater Consulting Group * Teamer Strategy Group * Walgreens * Xavier University *
2025 Conference and Gala Chairperson
Jim Cook
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
CEO & President
2025 Conference Speakers
Lisa Alexis
President & CEO,
New Orleans Tourism & Cultural Foundation
Robin Barnes
Singer; Founder, Move Ya Brass
Bill Bynum
CEO & Founder, Hope Enterprise Corporation, Hope Credit Union, Hope Policy Institute
Gary Chambers
Civil Rights Leader
Cherie LaCour-Duckworth
Vice President of Workforce Development, Urban League of Louisiana
Klassi Duncan
Vice President of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Urban League of Louisiana
Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes
Chief Equity & Executive Officer, Ashé Cultural Arts Center
Ashleigh Gardere
President, PolicyLink
Lamar Gardere
Executive Director, The Data Center
Deborah Grimes
Sr. VP, Health Outcomes,
Inclusion Officer
Adrianne “Ajax” Jackson
Founder, Magnolia Yoga Studio
Raymond A. Jetson
Vision and Advancement Catalyst, Aging While Black
Adrinda Kelly
Founding Executive Director, Black Education for New Orleans
Percy Manson
Senior VP, Community and Economic Development, Hope Credit Union
Criketa “Cree” Matlock
Director, Government Affairs & Policy, Power Coalition for Equity and Justice
Chuck Morse
Executive Director, Thrive New Orleans; Pastor, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church
Anwar Nasir
Executive Director, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
Alanah Odoms
Executive Director, ACLU of Louisiana
Sarah Omojola
Director, Vera Institute of Justice
Dr. Andre Perry
Senior Fellow and Director,
Center for Community Uplift,
Brookings Institution
Charles Phipps
Sr. Director, Policy & Legal Affairs,
Urban League of Louisiana
Victoria Adams Phipps
Vice President of Global Philanthropy, JPMorgan Chase
Dr. Alisha Reed
Pharmacist,
Certified Life Coach
Dr. Wanda Robinson
Family Medicine Physician, Ochsner Health
Ashley Shelton
Founder, President & CEO, Power Coalition for Equity and Justice
Terrance Woodbury
Founder, HIT Strategies
Dr. Beverly Wright
Founder & Executive Director, Deep South Center for Environmental Justice
Shelina Davis
CEO, Louisiana Public Health Institute
Cleveland Spears
President & CEO,
Spears Group
2025 Gala Honorees
Rhaoul Guillaume
GOTECH
Inc.
President and Founder
Ronald Chisom
The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond
Author, Civil Rights Activist and Community Organizer
Dee1
Rapper, Educator,
Activist, Business Owner
Dr. Andre Perry
The Brookings Institution
Director of the Center for Community Uplift
Glenda McKinley
McKinley Studios
President, Creative Director, Owner
Lamar Gardere
The Data Center
Executive Director
Maxine Prescott Sarpy
Founder of Blacks United for Lasting Leadership
and co-Founder of the North Louisiana Civil Rights Coalition
Ashé Cultural Arts Center
Katrina 20 Local Planning Committee
Asali Devan Ecclesiastes
Chief Equity & Executive Officer
Foundation for Louisiana
Katrina 20 Local Planning Committee
Christy Slater
Interim CEO and President
Junebug Productions
Katrina 20 Local Planning Committee
Stephanie McKee-Anderson
Executive Artistic Director
TapRoot Earth
Katrina 20 Local Planning Committee
Colette Pichon Battle, Esq.
Partner, Vision & Initiatives
Become a Champion for Change — Sponsorship Opportunities
Join us as a proud sponsor of the 2025 Unite Conference & Gala, presented by the Urban League of Louisiana — where leaders, innovators, and changemakers come together to advance equity, opportunity, and lasting impact. Your sponsorship directly supports transformative programs that empower communities across our region while positioning your organization as a committed partner in driving social and economic progress. Together, we can create pathways to prosperity and justice for all. Contact cwashington@urbanleaguela.org to secure your sponsorship today and stand at the forefront of change!