Thank You For Your Support!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Dear Family & Friends:
Over the course of almost 4 years it has been an honor to serve the people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region as Founder and CEO of Blanket New Orleans, Inc. As a Hurricane Katrina first responder, rebuilding volunteer, social entrepreneur and national advocate for our recovery - I have gained a tremendous amount of perspective from our small organization’s myriad successes.
However, the time is ripe to move onto new endeavors. Ostensibly, endeavors that continue to strengthen our rebuilding efforts and provide steadfast leadership for our city’s recovery.
Our organization has a lot to be proud: To date, a large scale of High School and University volunteer groups from around the country have partnered with BNO to contribute more than 1,250 hours of community service, completely gutting 15 homes, and adopting the home of Ms. Paulette - remodeling her kitchen and two bathrooms. At Georgetown University, the BNO campus chapter organizes annual relief missions to the city. And our team has also provided #620 new blankets to families displaced by hurricane damage, as well as spearheaded GustavRelief.Org, an immediate emergency response initiative which harnessed the power of technology, transforming the way in which humanitarian supplies directly impacted those with the greatest need.
Most notably, Bike Katrina presented a remarkable opportunity to re-trace the storm route throughout the Gulf Coast. This initiative enabled us to engage government officials, business leaders, clergymen, educators and the heads of non-profit relief agencies on the status of capital projects in the region. And perhaps due to its ingenuity, we have expanded the communication of our e-newsletters/e-updates to about 1,400 subscribers.
In closing, my passion and commitment to the recovery of our city has not waned - instead I recognize that now is best for me to take time, reflect and grow from the meaningful insight I have gained wearing this particular hat.
I am still a firm believer in the power of ideas and the tenacity of the human spirit.
Thus, I look forward to serving as the Graduation Speaker for the 2009 Class of Medard H. Nelson Elementary School on Friday. This special event presents a unique opportunity where I will shed some light on what my journey with Blanket New Orleans has been about, how it has contributed to my introspection and why these experiences have grounded me to help confront societal challenges today and beyond.
Thank you for your support, prayers and time.
Gratefully Yours,
- Happy
E-mail: Happy@HappyJohnson.org
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NEW ORLEANS TOMORROW: THE POWER OF POSSIBILITY
JANUARY 15, 2010: MLK DAY SPEECH
Dear Friends & Family:
On Friday, January 15, 2010 I delivered keynote remarks on my vision for The Future of New Orleans.
It was an honor. I was empowered by the opportunity to be apart of our city’s King Week celebrations, sponsored by the City of New Orleans MLK Holiday Planning Commission. To view photos from the speech & week of events, visit: MLKweek.com
Speech Excerpt:
“As we gather during the aftermath of the devastation in Haiti and on the eve of the most important election season in the rich history of New Orleans, it is fitting for us to delve into one of Dr. King’s most seminal themes: the Power of Possibility.
Overstanding the triumphant success of Brown V. Board of education, the end of Jim Crow and the passage of voting rights act, Dr. King said “There are those all over who are telling us that we must slow up, that we must slow down. But we cannot afford to slow up because we have a moral obligation to press on. We must keep moving; we must keep going.”
When we reflect on the relevance of King’s quote about the power of possibility within the context of the current condition of our own recovery, we too know there were some who told us to “slow down, don’t rebuild.” Some told us we would never rebuild, shouldn’t rebuild and couldn’t rebuild. But the power of possibility and your spirit defied the odds. In the face of your darkest moment, you showed the world (perharps our brothers and sisters in Haiti) how to suffer, how to find grace and desire, humility and the strength of determination.
Friends, we face serious challenges that require serious sacrifice and serious leadership. Let us seize this moment where we stand at the crossroads of where a dream might be and renew our committment, sending a clear signal to our neighbors throughout the Gulf Coast and our supporters around the world we are ready to rebuild New Orleans, The American city.”
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FRIENDS OF HAPPY 2009 THANKSGIVING COMMUNITY GIVEAWAY PHOTOS
Sponsored by:
The Salvation Army
Target
Wal*Mart
Levi Strauss
Former Friends/Board Members of BNO
