consultant

Hi Paul,

I am a native New Orleanian - now living in Virginia (Washington, DC) where I am
a retired Federal Employee and former two-term political appointee of the Bill
Clinton Administration.  I moved to the East Coast in the mid 80s.  Although I
grew up in Marrero, I always knew of all the happenings in and around the City
of New Orleans (even while there on travel or vacations with my family).  I am
forever proud to call NOLA home and everyone who knows me - knows I am one of
New Orleans' finest.

I have very fond memories of "The Batiste Brothers Band."   My friends and I
followed you all from the Eastbank to the Westbank to the Outerbanks.  In fact,
my best friend's ex-husband (Teetie) was once your lead singer.  Among my
fondest memories are times spent under the bridge on Orleans and Claiborne on
Mardi Gras day and (without revealing my age...) at the Gong Shows with the late
Bobby Marchand (sp?).  OMG!!! I remember dancing until my clothes were drenched
and hair was stuck to my forehead.  I even remember parting with you guys at a
little "Hole in the Wall" in Kenner (off Airline Highway).  Man...we partied so
hard that night that we were unaware of a terrible storm and a tornado that
touched down nearby.  Me and the girls still laugh about it.  Those were the
days!

I stumbled across your enlightening story by accident while surfing on the
Internet.  Who knew?  Actually, I was always impressed with your poise and found
you extremely talented (and handsome).  I also got the impression that you were
the more serious and business savvy brother in the group because you were so
quiet.  A striking reminder of myself.  After reading your story I now see why.  
I am also a firm believer of fighting for what's right as well as fighting for
what's rightfully yours.  I applaud and admire that you take seriously your
family's legend - for it truly has its place in New Orleans History.

Your spirit reminds me of my two favorite quotes...

    "The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person's
determination."
                By Tommy Lasorta

And...

    "Above all, remember that the most important thing you can take anywhere is
not a Gucci
Bag or French-cut jeans; it's an open mind."
                By Gail Rubin Bereny

You are my new inspiration!  I salute you Paul and wish YOU and your talented
family long life and much continued success. I pray that the next generation
represents the groundwork that you've set forth with as much poise and grace as
you have.

Peace and Blessings.  Be well.

Gilda "Gi-Gi"  Hagan-Brown

Mrs. Obama tells

New Orleans

students to 'dream

big'

Print

WASHINGTON - "Dream big. Don't aim low, aim high." That was the message First Lady Michelle

Obama delivered Wednesday to 80 Middle

School students, including 22 from New Orleans.

"You have to prepare your minds and your bodies

for greatness," Mrs. Obama said at the ornate

State Dining Room at the White House.

For now, she told the students, their main job, as

she regularly reminds her two daughters, "is to go

to school, do your

homework everyday."

show how involvement in the arts can boost

grades, graduation rates and civil engagement.

The First Lady told the students that in addition

to working hard at school, they need to read

everything "you can get your hands on."

"That's one of the things that President Obama

does - he reads everything. He reads all the time.

You have to read, read, and read again," Mrs.

Obama said.

The First Lady told the students if they work

hard, and get a little encouragement along the

way, they will have great opportunities.

"The truth is that I know that I wouldn't be where

I am today, and I know that my husband,

President Obama, wouldn't be where he is today

if he hadn't gotten that kind of inspiration from

somebody in our lives. We wouldn't be who we

are today without all these people who pushed us

and believed in us and gave us opportunities to

learn and grow and fulfill our potential. We

wouldn't be here."

The students watched the Academy Award

nominated film, "Beasts of the Southern Wild,"

and Mrs. Obama signaled how she'd vote if given

the chance. The inspiring story of how a six-year-

old girl helped her family overcome tremendous

obstacles in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina,

is one of the "most powerful and most important"

films in a long time, Mrs. Obama said.

"It shows us the strength of our communities, no

matter what they look like," Mrs. Obama said. "It

shows us that these communities can give us the

power to overcome any kind of obstacles. And it

also tells a compelling story of poverty and

devastation, but also of hope and love in the

midst of some great challenges."

The cast and crew later participated in a q and a

with the students and Rachel Goslins, the

director of the President's Committee on the

Arts.

The Batiste students were excited about the

chance to meet Mrs. Obama, as well as the star of

the inspirational movie, Quvenzhane Wallis, who

plays six-year-old Hushpuppy. Hushpuppy, the

movie's heroine.

"

"It was great," said Gary Robichaux, executive

director of the charter management organization,

ReNew, which operates Batiste. "We got to meet

with the First Lady. We

Michelle Obama and family (White House

photo)

, one of eight schools nationally chosen for a two-

year federal Turnaround Arts program designed

to

The New Orleans contingent was from Batiste

Cultural Arts Academy

just watched the president land in his helicopter

from his trip (to North Carolina

). And we even got to see Bo (the Obama's dog)

play on the front lawn of the White House.

Very cool."

The students were excited.

"I know New Orleans has a lot of negative things

going on, and this is a chance to see something

positive," said Algernon Jacques, 12, a 7th grader.

Algernon got the advice from Mrs. Obama he

sought on "how to do well in life."

Paul Batiste, founder of the Batiste Brothers

Band who helped found the school located at the

former Live Oak Elementary School, said he's

thrilled the students had a chance to meet the

First Lady and get a behind-the-scenes look at

America's most famous house.

"I can't tell how excited I am that our students

are getting this opportunity," Batiste said. "The

students have come a long way."