The recipient entity's physical address:
           *** Confidential Address ***

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           PO BOX 703
Lydia, LA
70569

Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):  Non-Profit Corporation

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          Layla Lewis
Lady Brown

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  0316

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $50,000

What type of request is this?  General Appropriation

Is this entity in good standing with the Secretary of State?  Yes

Provide the name of each member of the recipient entity's governing board and officers:
           GOVERNING BOARD AND OFFICERS
Layla Lewis, President and Director - 6208 Painters Street, New Orleans, LA 70122
Abdur-Rasheed Tunde Omidiya, Vice President, Director and International Committee Chair - 55 Avenue Marceau, 75116 Paris, France
Jewel Lain, Secretary, Treasurer, Director and Finance Committee Chair - 1029 N. Dorgenois Street, New Orleans, LA 70119
Lady Fontenette Brown, Founder and Director; registered agent - 1404 Martin Luther King Dr., Jeanerette, LA 70544
JoAnna Lewis, Director - 5026 Dreux Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70126
Darryl Robinson, Director - 4630 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy, #214, Lafayette, LA 70508
Tamara Lemon, Director - 208 Psalms Court, Youngsville, LA 70592

PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OPERATION OF THE ENTITY
S.T.A.F.F. has no paid executive director or CEO. Layla Lewis, President, is responsible for its operation - 6208 Painters Street, New Orleans, LA 70122

KEY PERSONNEL FOR THE FUNDED PROGRAM
Layla Lewis, President - overall responsibility and authorized contact - 6208 Painters Street, New Orleans, LA 70122
Jewel Lain, Secretary and Treasurer - finance, payments and records - 1029 N. Dorgenois Street, New Orleans, LA 70119
Abdur-Rasheed Tunde Omidiya, Vice President - international relations and delegations - 55 Avenue Marceau, 75116 Paris, France
Lady Fontenette Brown, Founder - program development and partner relationships (unpaid) - 1404 Martin Luther King Dr., Jeanerette, LA 70544
Program coordinator - independent contractor, not a related party, to be selected by the board through written quotes

All officers and directors serve without compensation.

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           The Louisiana Global Leadership Exchange (LGLE) is a program of the Small Town Arts & Festivals Foundation (S.T.A.F.F.), a Louisiana 501(c)(3) nonprofit. LGLE advances Louisiana's African cultural connections into commerce through five pillars: Energy, Economics, Education, Exchanges and Entertainment. Its long-term aim is to make Louisiana America's Capital to the Sixth Region of Africa, the African Union's term for the African diaspora.

Why Louisiana needs a seat at the table. African governments are choosing long-term partners for energy, ports, power, food security and infrastructure, and China, the European Union, the Gulf states, Turkey and India are already engaged. Partners with relationships in place early are best positioned to win the work. Louisiana has the industries and expertise these markets need but lacks a sustained channel focused on Africa and the diaspora. LGLE builds that channel: relationships with embassies and ministries, matching Louisiana companies and institutions to each nation's priorities, and follow-up programs in Louisiana. It complements the state's existing trade efforts.

What Louisiana brings and gets:
- Energy: oil and gas production, deepwater Gulf experience, LNG export terminals, refining, petrochemicals, carbon capture and hydrogen, suited to oil, gas, LNG and power development in Nigeria, Senegal, Mozambique, Angola and Ghana.
- Ports and maritime: one of the world's largest port systems, with shipbuilding, dredging and logistics expertise, as African ports expand under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
- Agriculture: rice, sugarcane, poultry, seafood and forest products for West Africa, a major rice-importing region. Togo's Embassy in France has asked how Louisiana can help process, store and market its grain surpluses.
- Coastal protection: Louisiana's experience in coastal restoration, flood control and hurricane resilience, relevant to African coastal cities.
- Health, education and workforce: universities, medical schools, HBCUs and technical colleges for research, training and exchanges.
- Culture and tourism: Creole and Francophone heritage can draw diaspora heritage travelers and pay Louisiana artists.

2026 record. The inaugural Exchange was held at the Paris Marriott Opera Ambassador Hotel: the Parti Gras Welcome Mixer on Friday, October 23, 2026, and The Working Exchange on Saturday, October 24. The Sunday, October 25 program was canceled under a heightened security alert during protests in Paris. The Louisiana delegation included Senate President Pro Tempore Regina Ashford Barrow, Senators Ed Price and Jeremy Stine, Representative Troy Hebert, the Louisiana Chemical Association, USA Rice, Southern University Law School and CODOFIL. Ghana, Sierra Leone, Comoros, Chad, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo and Liberia were engaged through their diplomatic missions in France. Due to the alert, ambassadors did not attend in person; each sent apologies and asked to continue building the relationship. New Orleans, Acadiana and Iberia Parish received LGLE Distinctions. LGLE titles held by legislators are honorary and unpaid.

2027-28 program. State funds will support (1) the second Exchange and Parti Gras Welcome Mixer (location to be determined), presenting Louisiana industries, cuisine and artists to diplomats and investors; and (2) Louisiana programs, including the Summer Culture & Commerce Exchange in New Orleans in July 2027, where delegations meet Louisiana businesses, ports and universities; and LGLE Volume II, a culture-and-commerce publication.

Safeguards. No salaries. State funds will be held in a separate account, and each payment requires two approvals. No compensation or contracts for board members, officers or their families; only board-approved program travel and per diem, at federal rates. No alcohol and no travel for sitting elected officials paid from state funds. Independent accounting and a written report to the Legislature.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Professional Services. . . $9,000
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $40,500
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $0
          Operating Services. . . . $16,500
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $19,000

Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?  No

If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?
          No

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          The public purpose is to advance Louisiana's African cultural connections into commerce: to build lasting trade, tourism, investment and education relationships between Louisiana and the nations of Africa and the African diaspora that produce measurable economic benefit for Louisiana businesses, workers, farmers, ports, institutions and communities.

Louisiana's culture is shared in large part with West Africa, the Caribbean and the Francophone world. That shared heritage, along with the French language, gives Louisiana an advantage in reaching African governments and institutions that few other states have. State monies will turn that advantage into results for Louisiana through five pillars:

- Energy: connecting Louisiana's oil, gas, LNG, refining, petrochemical and energy-services companies with African governments and producers developing their own resources.
- Economics: building trade and investment between Louisiana and African markets in agriculture, maritime and ports, manufacturing and finance, including export opportunities for Louisiana rice, sugarcane, seafood and forest products.
- Education: linking Louisiana universities, HBCUs, technical colleges and French immersion programs with African institutions for training, research and exchanges.
- Exchanges: building government-to-government relationships, delegation visits to Louisiana, and partnerships such as sister-city and sister-parish ties.
- Entertainment: presenting Louisiana's music, cuisine, festivals and artists to African and diaspora audiences to promote Louisiana as a destination for cultural and heritage travel.

How state monies serve this purpose. Every state-funded expense either presents Louisiana abroad (its industries, artists, cuisine and destinations) to governments, investors and institutions, or brings the results home through programs held in Louisiana. State monies will fund the second Louisiana Global Leadership Exchange and Parti Gras Welcome Mixer, follow-up programs in Louisiana where visiting delegations meet Louisiana businesses, ports and universities, paid presentation opportunities for Louisiana artists and culture bearers, and LGLE Volume II, a publication marketing Louisiana's culture and industries to international readers. No state monies will be used for salaries, and all funds will be held in a separate account with independent accounting.

What Louisiana receives in return. Introductions between Louisiana companies, ports, farmers and universities and their foreign counterparts; visits to Louisiana by foreign delegations that generate local spending; international visibility for Louisiana cities, regions and parishes as destinations and places to invest; paid work for Louisiana artists; and new formal agreements with African governments and institutions. Each program year, LGLE recognizes one Louisiana city, one region and one parish with an LGLE Distinction, rotating among Louisiana communities so the program serves the state as a whole.

Measurable results for FY 2027-28 include: 8 or more nations represented; 20 or more Louisiana institutions and businesses participating; 10 or more Louisiana artists and culture bearers paid to present; 3 Louisiana Distinctions; at least 1 follow-up program and 2 or more delegation visits in Louisiana; at least 1 new formal agreement with an African government or institution; and 1,000 or more copies of LGLE Volume II distributed. S.T.A.F.F. will submit a written report to the Legislature on results and spending within 60 days of the end of the fiscal year.

Long-term purpose. LGLE positions Louisiana as America's Capital to the Sixth Region of Africa, the African Union's term for the African diaspora. As African governments expand diaspora investment, heritage travel and trade programs, the state that becomes their primary U.S. partner gains a lasting advantage in tourism, port traffic, agricultural and energy exports, and foreign investment.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          Goal 1. Position Louisiana as America's Capital to the Sixth Region of Africa.
Objectives:
- Establish Louisiana as a first U.S. point of contact for African governments and institutions engaging the diaspora, through annual Exchanges and direct embassy relationships.
- Promote Louisiana to African and diaspora travelers as a destination for cultural and heritage travel.
- Build on the 2025 Liberia-Louisiana Leadership Alliance and the 2026 relationships with the diplomatic missions of Ghana, Sierra Leone, Comoros, Chad, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo and Liberia.

Goal 2. Build government-to-government and institutional relationships that support Louisiana trade.
Objectives:
- Hold the second Louisiana Global Leadership Exchange in FY 2027-28, with representation from 5 or more nations.
- Hold working sessions in energy, agriculture, maritime and ports, education, and culture and the creative economy.
- Document each participating nation's stated priorities where Louisiana companies and institutions can assist, and share them with Louisiana participants.
- Secure at least 1 new formal agreement or letter of intent with an African government or institution, such as a memorandum of understanding or a sister-city or sister-parish relationship.

Goal 3. Connect Louisiana industries to African markets.
Objectives:
- Engage 10 or more Louisiana institutions and businesses as participants, across energy, agriculture, ports and maritime, education and the creative economy.
- Introduce Louisiana energy, agriculture, port and technical-services companies to foreign governments, buyers and investors.
- Respond to requests from participating nations, such as Togo's request for Louisiana solutions to process, store and market its grain surpluses, by connecting them with Louisiana companies and institutions.

Goal 4. Return the Exchange's results to Louisiana.
Objectives:
- Host 1 follow-up program in Louisiana, the Summer Culture & Commerce Exchange in New Orleans in July 2027, for visiting delegations, Louisiana businesses, ports and universities.
- Bring at least 1 participating delegation to Louisiana to meet Louisiana companies and communities.
- Recognize 3 Louisiana communities (one city, one region and one parish) with an LGLE Distinction, rotating among Louisiana communities each year.

Goal 5. Create paid opportunities for Louisiana artists and culture bearers.
Objectives:
- Pay 6 or more Louisiana artists, musicians, chefs and culture bearers to present at the Exchange, the Parti Gras Welcome Mixer and Louisiana programs.
- Commission LGLE Distinction artwork from Louisiana artists, as in 2026 with Gilliam Joseph of the Railroad Avenue Historic Cultural District in Jeanerette.

Goal 6. Market Louisiana's culture and industries to international audiences.
Objectives:
- Publish LGLE Volume II, a culture-and-commerce publication presenting Louisiana's culture and industry sectors, and distribute 500 or more copies in print and digital form.
- Maintain a website and social media presence that keeps the program's work, partners and Louisiana Distinctions visible year-round.

Goal 7. Manage state funds with full accountability.
Objectives:
- Hold state funds in a separate account and require two approvals for every payment.
- Pay no salaries and no compensation or contracts to board members, officers or their families; pay only board-approved program travel and per diem, at federal rates.
- Use no state funds for alcohol or for travel by sitting elected officials.
- Engage an independent accountant to track and report on the funds, and keep receipts for every payment available to the Legislative Auditor.
- Submit a written report to the Legislature on results and spending within 60 days of the end of the fiscal year.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           The funded activity will be completed within one fiscal year, July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2028. LGLE is an ongoing annual initiative that began in 2025 and held its inaugural Exchange in October 2026. Its long-term purpose is expected to be achieved over three to five years.

If any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of the recipient entity who receives compensation or holds any ownership interest therein:
     (a) If an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
                 Name: The Honorable Lady Fontenette Brown
Address: 1404 Martin Luther King Dr., Jeanerette, LA 70544
Office held: Councilwoman, District 12, Iberia Parish Council
Role with S.T.A.F.F.: Founder and Director; registered agent. Receives no compensation and holds no ownership interest (S.T.A.F.F. is a nonprofit corporation).
    
     (b) If an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of such person; the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related; and the nature of the relationship:
                 Name: Layla Lewis
Address: 6208 Painters Street, New Orleans, LA 70122
Role with S.T.A.F.F.: President and Director. Receives no compensation and holds no ownership interest (S.T.A.F.F. is a nonprofit corporation).

Related official: The Honorable Lady Fontenette Brown
Official's address: 1404 Martin Luther King Dr., Jeanerette, LA 70544
Office held: Councilwoman, District 12, Iberia Parish Council

Nature of relationship: Daughter

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                 0%. S.T.A.F.F. is a nonprofit corporation with no owners or shareholders. Neither Councilwoman Brown nor Layla Lewis holds any ownership interest.

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                  Councilwoman Lady Fontenette Brown: Founder and Director; registered agent. Unpaid. Layla Lewis: President and Director. Unpaid.

If the recipient entity has a contract with any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official or with the state or any political subdivision of the state:
(a) If the contract is with an elected or appointed state official, provide the name and address of the official and the office held by such person: 
               Not applicable. S.T.A.F.F. has no contract with any elected or appointed official.

(b) If the contract is with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official:
          Provide the name and address of such person:
               Not applicable. S.T.A.F.F. has no contract with any immediate family member of an elected or appointed official.

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
                Not applicable.

          What is the nature of the relationship?  Not applicable.

(c) If the contract is with the state or a political subdivision of the state, provide the name and address of the state entity or political subdivision of the state:
                 Not applicable. S.T.A.F.F. has no contract with the State of Louisiana or any political subdivision of the state.

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               Not applicable. S.T.A.F.F. has no contract with any elected or appointed official, any immediate family member of an official, the State of Louisiana, or any political subdivision of the state.


Contact Information
name:  Layla Lewis 
                                       address:  PO Box 703, Lydia, LA 70569
                                       phone:  (337) 606-1669
                                       fax: 
                                       e-mail:  staffoundation@gmail.com
                                       relationship to entity:  President, Small Town Arts & Festivals Foundation