FROM Honduras to Louisiana
As fate guided us from La Ceiba to the vibrant city of New Orleans in the summer of 2002, the echoes of my unconventional birth followed me. Little did I know that the events surrounding my arrival in this new land would only be a prelude to the challenges and transformations that awaited my family and me.
In the vibrant city of New Orleans, my family and I found our first home on the 2nd floor of 1135 Marais St in the Treme area. It was here, in 2002, that I began to immerse myself in the unique cultural tapestry of the city that would shape my formative years.
The Treme Community Center's after-school program became a haven of exploration and learning for me. Nestled in this historic neighborhood, I discovered the rich heritage of the city, and the echoes of jazz, storytelling, and vibrant community life surrounded me. Louis Armstrong Park, with its lush greenery and soul-stirring jazz performances, became a playground of inspiration.
However, the ebb and flow of life led my father to make a pivotal decision, and we relocated to 2002 Franklin Ave. This move placed me in the heart of the Oretha Castle Haley Elementary, a school steeped in the cultural richness of New Orleans. The Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame, established in memory of Big Chief Donald Harrison, Sr., stood as a testament to the school's commitment to celebrating the city's cultural heritage.
The Indigenous Fine Arts Series, initiated in 1987, brought renowned artists like Donald Harrison, Sr. and Jr., Charmaine Neville, and the vibrant Rebirth Brass Band to share their knowledge and passion. These experiences planted the seeds of appreciation for the city's unique cultural tapestry, a love that would persist to this day.
The move to the Little Woods neighborhood in 2003 marked a significant chapter in my New Orleans journey. Our permanent home at 15007 Emory Rd in the Little Woods subdivision became the backdrop to a neighborhood bursting with life. The East, historically a Black suburban area, was a melting pot of middle and upper-class families.
Memories of my mother's warm smile as we took the ferry together and the adventures with my sister Ninoska exploring The Riverwalk like tourists etched lasting imprints on my heart. These memories became especially poignant as my father, despite working offshore and only being home every six months, radiated a sense of stability and maturity that instilled confidence in me as a child.
My early schooling experiences in the Michoud area, with its strong Vietnamese presence, prompted a shift to Frances Gaudet Elementary on Haynes. Despite a humorous memory of a restroom incident, this school became a stepping stone to my education journey. Little did I know that this location, where my sister Ninoska once walked me along the levee to school, would later become a significant part of my life as a board member reopening the school for my alma mater.
