"We have a real opportunity to make a difference here. You could read about this in history books someday or you could take a role to help create it. I can't imagine being anywhere else right now." - Lauren Baum, The Idea Village

"The New Orleans 100" is a worldwide initiative that will highlight and encourage discussion among millions about 100 of the most innovative and world-changing ideas to take root in the city since Katrina.

After hearing so many of the positive changes and innovative projects post-Katrina, we've decided enough is enough. It's time to put an end to the negative press in mainstream media. We know that the levees broke. We know that our city is dysfunctional. We know that. But do you know about Prospect.1? Or about the influx of young professionals into New Orleans? The world needs to know about the NEW New Orleans. And to quote Brad Pitt, "If you're going to rebuild something, why not rebuild it right?" Amen brother.

To combat top down media during the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, we will leverage bottom up tools on the social web (email, blogs, twitter, facebook, digg, etc.), which can reach a combined audience of millions to raise awareness about New Orleans and inspire action to make a difference.

The list will be released on Monday, August 25th - the week of the Hurricane Katrina anniversary. Our goal is to reach 1,000,000 pageviews by 8/29/09. We encourage everyone to spread the word by emailing the list, blogging it, digging it, stumbling it, and yelling it out their windows.

You can make a difference. All it takes is a click!

The New Orleans 100 Mixer

Tuesday, October 28th, 2008

All Day Buffet is coming down to the Big Easy from the Big Apple! Come join us to celebrate the innovators, social entrepreneurs, and creative mavericks that make up the NOLA100. RSVP is required and the secret location will be emailed on Monday, October 27th. Come drink for a cause, party with a purpose, and hit up Rebirth for one dope after party. Everyone is invited, so tell all your friends!

RSVP by visiting http://www.alldaybuffet.org/neworleans100/mixer

Categories:

Art & Architecture
Culture
Music
Entrepreneurship
Education
Non-Profit
Social Innovation

Disclaimer: This list is in no particular order and each selection was chosen based on creativity, social innovation, and social entrepreneurship.

Art & Architecture

1. Prospect 1: Largest biennial of international contemporary art ever organized in the United States that will open on Nov. 1 to the public in museums, historic buildings, and found sites throughout New Orleans.
2. Constance: Art and literature publication that explores the fragmentary life that is New Orleans by offering a fresh interpretation of a city that is in immense, and often times, overwhelming cultural and social flux.
3. Transforma Projects: Collective of artists and creative professionals formed after Katrina as a means of supporting, nurturing and celebrating creative practices that impact the social and physical environment.
4. Jonathan Ferrara Gallery: Commercial gallery with a public conscience, focusing on cutting edge works with a sense of purpose, mission, and message.
5. KK Projects: Kirsha Kaechele began buying abandoned buildings in St. Roch; a former bakery, a storefront, and four 1800s houses to house a site-specific installation for a three month exhibition period.
6. Louisiana ArtWorks: both a facility and a program targeting economic development through a combination of culture and commerce.
7. BECA Gallery: New commercial gallery space dedicated to introducing contemporary emerging art and artists from New Orleans and from around the world.
8. Fotos For Humanity: "Sharing pictures, not taking them!" A team of volunteer photographers working together to provide cultural, community, and educational groups gain control and benefit from the use of their images through donated digital copies of pictures, shared copyright and 50% of proceeds from sales.
9. Architecture School: Six-part documentary series that follows a group of Tulane University architecture students as they design and build a single-family house in a low-income neighborhood of New Orleans devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
10. Sean Cummings: Created some of New Orleans' hippest hotels and condos, and now tackling one of the biggest redevelopment projects of his career and one of the biggest in the city's recent history - the New Orleans Riverfront.
11. Jeriko House: Provides the finest in pre-fabricated modular-component housing by utilizing the most innovative system in the home building industry.
12. Global Green: Sustainable building in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina.
13. Eskew+Dumez+Ripple: Combines design, skill and compasion for the environment through green buildings.
    
    

    Culture

14. Treme: David Simon (yes the same David Simon that created The Wire!) is setting his sights on New Orleans and it's musicians for his new show.
15. 504 Ward: Flavorpill meets Daily Candy type website for the young talent in New Orleans to meet, learn explore, connect and grow together.
16. St. Joe Lofts: Rental community in the heart of the New Orleans Warehouse District that provides collaborative guidance for the engaged, entrepreneurially-spirited professionals, change agents and artisans of New Orleans.
17. LiaMolly: Fashion designer Seema Sudan earned her credentials at Calvin Klein and Anthropologie and the reinventing of New Orleans and its culture of creativity inspired her to bring her growing sweater collection to the city. The line debuts across the country this Fall.
18. Dirty Coast: Carries awesome NOLA shirts and our favorite one is "The Beauty of Entropy" shirt because in New Orleans, there is beauty in the decay.
19. Suzanne Perron: After spending 13 years under the tutelage of top fashion designers, including Vera Wang and Carolina Herrera, Suzanne Perron launched her own line of bridal gowns in New Orleans.
20. Trouble the Water: From the producers of Fahrenheit 9/11, an acclaimed documentary tells the inside story of an aspiring rap artist and her husband who were trapped in New Orleans during the flood. It's not about a hurricane. It's about America.
21. Antigravity Magazine: Caters to the crowd that likes music and other media not on most top-40 lists and for New Orleans, that's almost everything.
22. Defend New Orleans: Fashion and lifestyle brand that embosses the attitude and lifestyle of New Orleans from the people that live it everyday.
23. You Can Help Ease New Orleans' Pain: ESPN article written after the NBA All-Star weekend; we think that the NBA and ESPN developed a little crush on New Orleans.
24. Forever New Orleans: Video that captures the beauty that evolved from the chaos in Post-Katrina New Orleans in less than 3 minutes.
25. Lifestyle Revolution Group: Robert LeBlanc brings progressive cultural and technological influences to New Orleans while maintaining the city's own distinct character and vibrancy.
26. Curious Tribe: Elevates young adults by cultivating a language of creativity through art, fashion, music and culture.
27. Flavor Paper: Tasty handscreened wallcoverings that kind of remind us of the Willy Wonka factory; check out the banana scratch-and-sniff wallpaper.
28. Leah Chase: Known as the Queen of Creole Cuisine, her restaurant Dooky Chase was known as the gathering place during the 1960s among many who participated in the Civil Rights movement.
29. Habitus: A Diaspora Journal about international Jewish culture––and a Jewish magazine about the whole world. New Orleans issue features leading writers, artists, and thinkers to create a dynamic and diverse portrait of one of the world's great Diaspora cities.
30. Broadway South: "Because it is the only city I know where you exit a theater, and step right into another one. New Orleans is a musical, playing 365 days a year." - Roger Wilson
31. Wade in the Water: Documentary that offers a poetic at life in New Orleans through the eyes of the students at Singleton Charter School who took video-cameras home to tell their stories.
32. Chris Paul: Hornets starting point guard and arguably the NBA's best point guard. Finished second in the regular season MVP balloting and lead the Hornets to Hornets to their first Southwest Division title in franchise history. CP3!
33. House of Dance and Feathers: Neighborhood museum and cultural center in the Lower Ninth Ward that preserves the cultural heritage of New Orleans and inspires people to return to their neighborhoods.
34. Bacchanal Wine: Located in the Bywater and known for it's great food, wine, music, and speakeasy-type backyard gatherings.
35. Aidan Gill: Place where a man can get a little consolation among men like himself – style-minded fellows who’d sooner stay ragged and unkempt than fall into the clutches of the enemy.
36. Chris Rose Letter to America: We dance when there is no music, We drink at funerals. We talk too much, and live too large and, frankly, we’re suspicious of others who don’t...
    
    

Music

37. Ballzack: Straight from Gretna, this is the next greatest rapper from New Orleans behind Lil Wayne... Yes indeed.
38. Voodoo Music Festival: Annual music festival that features headliners Nine Inch Nails, R.E.M., Stone Temple Pilots, Lil Wayne, and Lupe Fiasco this October.
39. Soul Rebels Brass Band: The greatest brass band since the last greatest brass band.
40. 10th Ward Buck: Up-and-coming bounce musician that will make you drop it like it's hot.
41. Lil Doogie: Words can't even describe this crazy puppet/rapper/producer/comedian/baller so if you aren't saying "brah" after viewing a clip, there's seriously something wrong with you.
42. Ya Heard Me: Documentary film about a regional version of hip-hop specific to New Orleans called Bounce which is not just a style of music but a holistic community involving dance, block parties and clubs that together celebrate the unique story of the New Orleans urban lifestyle.
43. NOCCA: Founded by a diverse coalition of artists, educators, business leaders and community activists who saw the need for an institution devoted to our region's burgeoning young musicians.
44. Born Hustler Records: Independent record label started by rapper Kim Roberts, a.k.a. Black Kold Madina, who's from the Ninth Ward, survived the storm, and even took video featured in the documentary Trouble the Water.
45. Don Kelly Productions: Concert production company that started producing benefit concerts to support children charities.
46. Essence Music Festival: Annual music festival that had Kanye West as the headliner this year, among many others.
47. Imagination Movers: Picked up for a Disney television show, this children's singing group is known for it's Beastie Boys and Mr. Rogers style of performing.
48. Rebirth Brass Band: Committed to upholding the traditions of brass bands while incorporating modern music.
49. Rehage: Combines the magic of live events with emerging technologies and urban science to create interactive entertainment experiences including the Essence Music Festival, vmXperince New Orleans, Make It Right’s “Pink Project,” and the Voodoo Music Experience.
50. Tipitina's Foundation: Supports Louisiana’s irreplaceable music community and preserve the state’s unique musical culture.
51. Sissy Rappers: Gay rappers that carry the torch for bounce music in New Orleans including Katey Red among many others.
    
    

    Entrepreneurship

52. Startup New Orleans: Website that highlights the entrepreneurs that are finding opportunities, testing ideas, and taking advantage of a culture of creativity to develop businesses that are as inspiring as they are profitable.
53. New Orleans Exchange: With $4.2M in financing, The Receivables Exchange is a new capital market for privately held companies to gain quick access to working capital, just like the NYSE is designed for public companies.
54. New Orleans: A Startup Laboratory: Business Week article that highlights the entrepreneurs that are launching new ventures in New Orleans to bring a devastated city back to life.
55. The Idea Village: Non-profit organization that nurtures entrepreneurial innovation through talent and collaboration.
56. Turbo Squid: Buys and sells 3D models to become the largest producer of digital assets for online and gaming applications.
57. Social Entrepreneurs of New Orleans: Diverse group of talented individuals coming together to discuss the challenges facing the city and to work collaboratively to identify solutions to these challenges.
58. Trumpet: Recovering ad agency specializing in the success of startups, launches and turnarounds by helping business ideas become sustainable and profitable brands.
59. NOLA YURP: Support and resource network to connect, retain, and attract young professionals from diverse backgrounds for a sustainable New Orleans.
60. Adventure Calls Workers to New Orleans: USA TODAY article on the influx of young professionals into New Orleans. "Why read about New Orleans in history books when you can help create it?"
61. Louisiana Office of Social Entrepreneurship: Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu started the first-ever Office of Social Entrepreneurship in 2006 to seek solutions to the important issues facing the state as it recovers from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
62. DesireNOLA: formed by a group of young community leaders committed to rebuilding the Greater New Orleans area by assisting small businesses.
63. Old City Revels in New Spirit of Innovation: LA Times article that proves that The Big Easy is awash in ideas -- homes that float, revitalized schools and government reform -- as it rebuilds.
64. Urban Next Summit: Conference on talent development, attraction and retention for cities wanting to be successful in today’s knowledge economy.
    
    

Education

65. NOLA 180: Transforms failed public schools into high-performing charter schools that prepare students for college; coolest thing since sliced French bread.
66. New Orleans Charter Schools: Short film by Tim Ryan that addresses the impact current public school reform will have on the future of New Orleans.
67. Cafe Reconcile: Successfully enrolled over 250 youth between the ages of 16 and 25 to learn basic life skills, interpersonal skills and work skills to enable and empower them to successfully enter the second-largest non-governmental workforce in New Orleans – the entertainment and hospitality industry.
68. Save our Schools NOLA: Non-profit dedicated to ensuring that every child in New Orleans has access to high quality public schools.
69. YA/YA: Young Aspirations/Young Artists is a non-profit arts and social service organization that provides educational experiences and opportunities that empower artistically talented inner-city youth to be professionally self-sufficient through creative self-expression.
70. Big Chief and Big Queen Book Project: Combines book-giving ceremonies at New Orleans public schools with Mardi Gras Indians and local musicians.
71. New Schools for New Orleans: Nonprofit organization dedicated to achieving excellent public schools for every child in New Orleans.
    
    

Non-Profit

72. New Orleans Kid Camera Project: Children from flooded neighborhoods explore their environment and express themselves, their stories and feelings through the use of photography, creative writing and mixed media.
73. Sweet Home New Orleans: Non-profit agency that perpetuates New Orleans' cultural traditions by providing direct services to the musicians, Mardi Gras Indians, and Social Aid & Pleasure Club members that carry them forward.
74. Bayou District Foundation: Creates positive lifestyle changes and builds a greater sense of community through investment and development of quality housing, education, and recreation in the former St. Bernard Public Housing Development.
75. Make It Right Foundation: Brad Pitt project to build 150 homes in the Lower 9th Ward, one of the most devastated areas of New Orleans, proving that safe homes could and should be rebuilt.
76. Neighborhoods Partnership Network: Works with neighborhoods everyday to improve the quality of life by engaging New Orleanians in neighborhoods revitalization and the civic process.
77. The Neighborhood Story Project: A documentary book-making project that works with local writers to create and publish books about their neighborhoods.
78. Lower 9th Ward Village: Brings together the entire Lower 9th Ward and empowers community members to be self-sufficient and to sustain an equitable quality of life.
79. Rebuilding Together New Orleans: Preserves and revitalizes house and communities, assuring that low-income homeowners and communities, particularly those who are elderly and disable, can live in warmth, safety, and independence.
80. Blueprint Louisiana: Citizen-driven effort to identify and implement essential changes to fundamentally improve Louisiana.
81. Young Leadership Council: Develops leadership through community projects and known for the always fun "Wednesday on the Square" concert series.
82. Seetheproof.org: Website that shows the nation “the proof” that life changing work is being done in New Orleans by featuring video vignettes that focus on personal stories of how the nation’s donations are making a difference in the lives of New Orleanians.
83. Student Hurricane Network: Dedicated to providing long-term assistance to communities affected by Hurricane Katrina by working with law students and administrators from all over the United States to create and coordinate volunteer opportunities for law students in the Gulf Coast.
84. Rusted Up Beyond All Recognition Bikes: Community bike shop in the 9th ward, in which youth participate in an earn-a-bike program, enjoy art activities, go on field trips, and read books.
85. Build Now: Enables displaced New Orleans residents to return to new, high-quality, elevated homes, site-built on their property.
86. Blanket New Orleans: Delivered over 400 blankets and other humanitarian supplies to families in the Ninth Ward and now organizing a 250 mile cycling journey retracing the storm's path through the Gulf South to call attention to the 3rd Anniversary.
87. Good Work Network: In May 2008, JP Morgan Chase awarded Good Work Network $25,000 in seed money to prime its $2.1 million dollar renovation of the historic Franz Building in Central City New Orleans.
    
    

Social Innovation

88. The Houdini Project: Transforming the bail bond industry by investing 100% of their bail profits to create preschool programs for low-income at-risk children.
89. Green Coast Enterprises: Echoing Green Fellow and real estate development company dedicated to sustainable, storm-proof homes.
90. Green Door Construction: Patrick Ibert is a professional engineer who is applying his knowledge as an engineer towards providing sustainable and energy-efficient homes in the greater New Orleans area.
91. Marketumbrella.org: Reinventing the tradition of farmers markets as mechanisms to generate local wealth, improve consumer nutrition, build social capital - all via experiential learning.
92. SDT Waste and Debris: Innovative waste management company that is cleaning up New Orleans one block at a time, all while adding a patented new smell to the French Quarter.
93. FutureProof: Staked a strong position in the Gulf Coast region by bringing together community, business and government stakeholders to reach the common goal of sustainable practice.
94. Policypitch.com: Online platform that allows people to pitch and introduce innovative new ideas and policies in communities, neighborhoods and regions to build support for their campaigns.
95. New Orleans' New Arrivals: Young, Educated and Infused With Hope: CNN article on the "brain gain" into New Orleans.
96. Project Greenlight New Orleans: Helps low and middle income families and individuals make the switch from incandescent bulbs to energy efficient compact fluorescent lights (CFL), one house at a time.
97. The New Orleans Citizen Participation Project: CPP is a citizen driven campaign to create a system of direct neighborhood and community involvement in the city's public decision-making processes on all issues that impact our quality of life.
98. Consciously Rebuilding: Strives to build bridges between local communities, industry, and local government to address post disaster needs, strengthening the capacity for sustainable social responsibility and organizational accountability.
99. New Orleans Food Cooperative: Ccommunity group that believes in healthy, affordable groceries by supporting local and regional food production through a buying club and cooperative store.
100. Bio Liberty: Makes biodiesel from the used cooking oil gathered from New Orleans restaurants and uses the biodiesel to power truck, tractor and other equipment to clear lots in Louisiana.

"We dance when there is no music, We drink at funerals. We talk too much, and live too large and, frankly, we’re suspicious of others who don’t…When you meet us now and you look into our eyes, you will see the saddest story ever told. Our hearts are broken into a thousand pieces. But don’t pity us, we’re gonna make it." - Chris Rose, Times Picayune