Friends FROM New Orleans

*Over the course of this week Justice Roars will feature blogs from Tracie Washington and Jacques Morial as they represent the Louisiana Justice Institute at the Democratic National Convention. The first of our DNC blogs comes from Tracie Washington.*

Gulf Coast advocates don't often have the opportunity to relax together. It seems we are always meeting, strategizing, traveling – Working. No doubt, this week in Denver, Colorado will bring much of the same. A large contingent of Gulf Coast advocates have converged on the Mile High Cite to press-flesh and talk equitable recovery. We have brought bags and banners, talking points and tee-shirts, cameras and, well comradare.

We are here because we are not healed. At least, not all of us. And we will sing, speak, and shout that message loud and clear.

But it was at the Friends of New Orleans event that we had a quick chance to let down our hair, kick up our heels, and laugh. Just look at my Beautiful Sister Warriors!



Ashley Shelton, Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation; Shacara Lewis, Every Child Matters; Jessica Venegas, UNITY for the Homeless; Tracie Washington (me); and Dominique Duval-Diop, Policy Link.