11th Annual Awards Gala recognized local businesses for environmental sustainability and social impact
NEW ORLEANS — On Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, LifeCity and its Regional Sustainability Committee honored local businesses and organizations for their environmental and social impact achievements at the 11th annual Love Your City Award Gala. Presented by Batture and Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, the event took place at the Sheraton New Orleans where attendees were able to enjoy local food, live entertainment and keynote speakers.
The event began with opening remarks from hosts Servey Carter, DJ Novi and LifeCity CEO Liz Shephard, followed by an awards ceremony and keynote address from Leona Tate and Jennie Romer. Live music was performed by various local artists including Young Fellaz Brass Band, The Cigar Box Serenaders and Congo Square Drum Circle.
“We are incredibly proud of our community,” said LifeCity Founder and CEO, Liz Shephard. “The work that these organizations have done and continue to do is helping to build a system based on equity and sustainability in our community, and that’s something to be celebrated.”
LifeCity recognized local organizations that are creating a positive impact in 10 categories: water management, transportation, education, equity, health, zero waste, built environment, energy, local food access and local culture. They also recognized best in show, youth pick and people’s choice the night of the event. This year’s award recipients are:
- Best in Show: Wakin’ Bakin’
- Water Management: Tchoup Industries
- Transportation: XULAGreen Xavier University
- Education: LOOP NOLA
- Equity: New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
- Health: The Split Second Foundation Inc.
- Zero Waste: Rolling Refils
- Built Environment: Louvis Services
- Energy: New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
- Local Food Access: Veggie Farmers’ Cooperative
- Local Culture: Crazy Plant Bae
- Youth Pick: LOOP Nola
- People’s Choice: Nola Artist Incubator
For more information about each winner and why they were selected visit, https://www.loveyourcity.us/awards.
“The businesses nominated for the Love your City Awards represent what we hope is the model for every business in the future,” said Bob Mora, owner of Batture. “We are honored to support this event which recognizes the hard work and collective impact this group of businesses is making in the Greater New Orleans Region.”
Proceeds from the gala will support a green infrastructure development project for the United Houma Nation Tribal headquarters in Houma. The 33,000 square foot space allows the Tribe to grow and flourish, but due to the age of the donated building and the increased concrete footprint, storm water has been increasingly problematic to the overall health and welfare of the structure.
Shephard added, “We are thrilled that the event successfully accomplished its goal of raising enough funding to support the United Houma Nation Hazard Mitigation and Cultural Resilience Project.”
The Love Your City Awards is a part of the Love Your City Initiative, led by LifeCity, that supports the development of the impact economy and growth of for-benefit organizations in Louisiana.
About the Love Your City Initiative:
The Love Your City Initiative supports the development of for-benefit organizations in our community. The initiative is a program of LifeCity, whose mission is to build an economy that works for good, city by city. Working for good means that the results of business and other organizational activities improve the environment, support greater equity, our environment and empower people and organizations to become their best selves. As an impact management firm, LifeCity helps define, measure, validate and market impact in a world that is increasingly concerned with transparency and accountability. To learn more, visit www.loveyourcitynola.com or follow along on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram.
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