The recipient entity's physical address:
           650 POYDRAS STREET
SUITE 1010
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70130

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           650 POYDRAS STREET
SUITE 1010
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70130

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

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          Fred Johnson, Jr.
Gregg Stafford
Benny Jones, Sr.,
Todd Higgins

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  8567

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $1,425,000

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:
           FRED J. JOHNSON, JR., CEO 650 POYDRAS ST. SUITE 1010 NOLA 70130
GREEG STAFFORD, DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR 650 POYDRAS ST. SUITE 1010 NOLA 70130
BENNY JONES, SR.,BOARD MEMBER 650 POYDRAS ST.SUITE 1010 NOLA 70130
TODD D HIGGINS/ CFO 650 POYDRAS ST. SUITE 1010 NOLA 70130
WILLIE K. JOHNSON/ COO 650 POYDRAS ST. SUITE NOLA 70130
BRUCE BARNES/ PROGRAM DIRECTOR 650 POYDRAS ST.SUITE 1010 NOLA 70130
RETIRED HONORABLE JUDGE ED LOMBARD BOARD MEMBER 650 POYDRAS ST. SUITE 1010 NOLA

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           Program Title: Jazz & Workforce Development Initiative

Objective: To leverage the principles of jazz—improvisation, collaboration, and creativity—to enhance workforce skills and promote cultural awareness.

Key Components:

Workshops and Training Sessions: Sessions focused on teaching jazz music fundamentals, improvisation techniques, and the history of jazz. These workshops aim to foster creativity, adaptability, and teamwork among participants.

Collaborative Projects: Participants will engage in group projects that require them to work together, much like a jazz ensemble, to achieve common goals. This promotes teamwork and effective communication.

Cultural Awareness Programs: Activities that highlight the cultural significance of jazz, its roots in the African American experience, and its role in social change. This helps in promoting inclusivity and understanding in the workplace.

Stress Management and Well-being: Incorporating jazz music into relaxation and stress-relief activities to improve mental health and overall well-being of employees.

Mentorship and Networking: Connecting participants with jazz musicians and industry professionals to provide mentorship and networking opportunities, helping them to build valuable connections and gain insights into various career paths.

Expected Outcomes:

Enhanced creativity and innovation among employees.

Improved teamwork and collaboration skills.

Increased cultural awareness and inclusivity in the workplace.

Better stress management and overall well-being.

Stronger professional networks and mentorship opportunities.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $500,000
          Professional Services. . . $100,000
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $175,000
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $0
          Operating Services. . . . $650,000
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $0

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?
          

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          The Black Men of Labor is an IRS designated 501 C 3 organization based in New Orleans with a mission to educate, preserve, and perpetuate African and African-American culture. They aim to create sustainable economic opportunities that help break the cycle of generational poverty.

The public purpose sought through the use of state monies is to support these initiatives, ensuring that the organization can continue its work in perserving and promoting jazz and its rich cultural heritage while providing sustainable economic opportunity in building a skilled and trained workforce! This will help to uplift the community and commit a just and safe environment for the resident, visitors and communities that thrive on what makes our city the jewel of the south and a unique plave to live, work, and visit.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          The Black Men of Labor has several goals and objectives to achieve their mission of promoting African and African-American culture and creating sustainable economic opportunities:

Cultural Preservation: To educate and preserve the rich cultural heritage of African and African-American communities through various programs and initiatives.

Economic Empowerment: To create sustainable economic opportunities that help break the cycle of generational poverty in New Orleans.

Community Engagement: To engage and involve the community in cultural and economic development activities, fostering a sense of unity and collective progress.

Promotion of Traditional Jazz Music: To promote and preserve traditional jazz music, recognizing its historical significance and its role in the African-American experience.

Mentorship and Leadership Development: To provide mentorship and leadership development programs for young African-American men, helping them to become future leaders in their communities.

These goals and objectives are aimed at creating a positive and lasting impact on the community by honoring cultural heritage and providing pathways to economic stability and growth.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           3 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:
                 None
    
     (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:
                 None

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                 None

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                  None

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: 
               None

(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:
               None

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
                None

          What is the nature of the relationship?  N/A

(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:
                 None

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               None


Contact Information
name:  Todd Dominique Higgins 
                                       address:  650 Poydras Street, Suite 1010 New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
                                       phone:  5047178312
                                       fax: 
                                       e-mail:  info@thebmol.org
                                       relationship to entity:  CFO/BoardMember