I came in set on executing my work plan and pursuing my particular interests at a high level and pace. Somewhat singular in my thinking, I had every intention of doing good. But it would be accomplished by "getting things done" and not necessarily being beholden to the local solutions that I should have been.

This outcome created bad juju and, ultimately, friction. Turns out that good intentions and a desire to help doesn't necessarily mean folk want what you have to offer. In fact, strong communities might just push back! It was in allowing myself to slow down and grapple with my mistakes that I ultimately began to get traction in my work. I found that I had to show that I was there to good with them and just for them. With no hidden agendas or motives. I had to show that I came willing to learn. That I was willing to grow and go at their speed to create genuine connection. No BS.

So I decided instead to lean into trusting myself to do the work to gain trust. This has meant listening more than speaking, taking the time to explore nuance, and learning to better understand community based on their terms. I no longer move based on assumption - only on trust.

The most memorable moment of the month was taking in Bogalusa's Juneteenth Block Party. There, I unofficially met one of the Mayor's I would come to collaborate with - in fact, we would start working together the next day! I would end up briefing both him and the City Council economic development committee on a retail strategy for their local area that was being developed - a meeting that did not go as smoothly as I had hoped. It didn't go as well as I would have liked, and actually began a cascade effect I will get to at the end of this exercise.

Also during this month, I was officially introduced to the Parish leadership of both communities I serve. The Police Juries (which are like County Board of Supervisors) form the backbone of the rural communities I work in and are comprised of its most trusted leaders. They were a great leverage point to connect with other community groups - in particular to the Economic Development Foundations of each Parish.

I also began to better leverage the opportunities that flow across each Parish to both inform and enhance the work in the other Parish. For instance, in attending my first Zachary Taylor Parkway Commission (or as locals call it, the Parkway That Will Never Be) meeting in St. Helena Parish. I came to learn about upcoming infrastructure efforts that will extend over into Washington Parish. These types of cross-parish synergies have since become a recurring theme, which are like flurries throughout my work - the instances wherein commonality across all three Parishes are met. These flurries are present today via the ACT Work Ready Communities and the Disaster Resilience. Each Parish's progress informs and enhances that of the other.

Finally, I thoroughly enjoyed presenting on an area of great interest to me: the Federal Regional Authorities and Commissions during our ERC Learning Week. They are secretly the economic engines of local areas, especially because they provide so much support for infrastructure, business, and workforce development in rural communities especially. During the Biden-Harris administration, I especially noticed an uptick in the usage of these institutions across all of Government. Through initiatives such as Justice40, the Federal outlays connected to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, and CHIPS Act, these agencies are already impacting the areas we serve and I was honored to share about their potential on the ERC.

Around the same time, I was also officially connected to the Regional Economic Development Organizations of my area (GNO Inc. and BRAC) via infrastructure meetings that I was invited to attend. This emphasis on infrastructure development across Louisiana, and especially in rural communities, has followed me throughout the project thus far. While I'd always known of the interconnected work beholden to municipalities growing their workforce, economic, and community development capacities, the strategic interplay needed has shown me how much each of those development functions instead serve as concentric circles. At the core is a resilient community, which sustains and sparks the other layers. An impact in one of these circles can ripple outward and influence the others.

Speaking of circles, it was at this juncture that I also began to notice how thin I was spreading myself, but in pursuit of connecting to as much as I could, kept going with almost reckless abandon. I'm still struggling to figure out how to pace myself.

Back in my communities, I was also growing closer to both Parishes that I serve. In particular, St. Helena began to reach out with more direct TA questions. I would have a meeting with a community member who was interested in pursuing developing affordable housing in the Parish and though I wasn't able to help him, I was reminded that sometimes all it takes is providing a phone number or email. That small action could be a spark that has a significant outcome in the future!

However, not everything went well this month. I had a challenging situation and ultimate failure with the ERC program. I was invited to attend a CEDS preparation meeting with a stakeholder group and the topic of equity came up. The tension in the room was palpable as someone eventually questioned why this it was so important to include this concept in our work. Hearing her words, I bristled a bit and probably was a little forceful in pushing back. Now that I think back on how I wish I could have been more helpful and constructive. Passion can only go so far. Regardless, the meeting revealed that some of the stakeholders at the table had a knowledge deficit in regards to equity. While the IEDC Playbook for Equitable Economic Development was fine to send along, I wonder what else I could have done? I missed a chance to follow up and really provide helpful information.

So when she called and asked if I could attend a meeting discussing some final details of a major economic development expansion, I was surprised and honored. It felt as if it came out of nowhere...because it did! I've come to find that these type of expansions are secretive in nature because of competitive considerations, so news about a $25 million capital expansion that would create 200 additional jobs in this local context seemed almost too good to be true. I was struck by how fast everything went and how easily the plan moved forward, but no one would resist this opportunity. It was an exciting success story for the Parish. No need for the bad juju.

Now, what wasn't included in the press release was the fact that the company's expansion hinged on securing an incentive called the ITEP, or Industrial Tax Exemption Program. This program is designed to help industrial manufacturers come and stay local and is used pretty heavily across the State - with broad implications. According to Together Louisiana, per capita LA residents pay approximately $2,857 while the national average is $291. While incentives are important, I also found it so fascinating how the ITEP proposal was presented. These municipalities are making a big bet that the tax revenues they forego have a higher ROI than what they are giving up. The capacity and financial woes SHED will continue to face is exacerbated by one of the only industrial players in town expanding. The irony is not lost on me.

Amidst all of these developments, we put together a resource fair for the community. According to Ms. Virginia, it marked her "Big Event" of the year and was a grand success despite the turn around. I got to meet and connect with so many more people in the community. The ERC difference! Teamwork made the dream work.

This aspiration came to a head in November when I was invited to host a regional discussion on workforce, economic, and community development at the MS NAACP State Convention. I was able to secure panelists who were able to speak to both the the challenges and potential facing both Mississippi and Louisiana contexts, including Dr. Corey Wiggins, Federal Co-Chairman of the Delta Regional Authority. Since my Parishes fall within his regional footprint, it was invaluable to have his perspective on economic development across both states.

I also connected with Dr. Gloria Mwase, who is with the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) and is currently engaged in innovative workforce development research that brings together some German partners I have worked with in the past in bringing their best practices to the Deep South. I am particularly interested in the clustered industrial models of the German Mittelstand, which aligns with her interest in the vocational apparatus that promotes vocational education and training. We had a robust discussion, which led to more contacts in Louisiana ironically enough.

Oh and on a separate note, this month St. Helena had another event - this time regarding the Longleaf Pine, which was organized by Mr. Alex Harvey, a Forester and community advocate from Mississippi who ventured to St. Helena Parish after invitation from Ms. Virginia. The gathering not only highlighted the importance of this type of tree locally, but also offered a forum to discuss land use and inheritance questions, which was an area of importance that community members had mentioned before.

A big month! All before Turkey Day!

In Mississippi, we have had Civil Rights leaders jailed for decades. A few of my friends have been harassed by police in the towns they're from. One friend was followed and had drugs planted in his vehicle. The only reason he got out of the charges is because his system was entirely clean and he'd never done drugs in his life.

Suffice it to say. Black folk are usually under threat if they "go too far" in pursuit of justice. Black leadership is often under assault in the spaces I occupy and all too often they are expected to hold the line in spite of it all. To lead with the vigor that is needed to address the calamities that face our communities each and every day. To pull victories out of rabbit holes with gnarling teeth that routinely bring pain and dismay.

Where I come from, Black leaders are given the scraps, expected to thrive, ridiculed when magic doesn't happen, and all too often thrown to the pits as if all the collaborations and work done in the past didn't exist.

I see it happening now. Again. It feels as if history is repeating itself based on allegations.

I speak of trust a lot, and how important it is to move at the speed of it. Never could I have anticipated the repeated starts and stops, sailing at 100 mph only to slam into a NOLA sized pot hole, that forces you to pivot and drive to avoid the next obstacle. It reminds me how power structures, perceptions, and forces beyond my understanding can slow or derail us on the pathway of progress.

In doing this work, I could have never known that there would be so much start and stop, 100 mph sailing and then a speed bump that just about takes out your wheel axle, and then a NOLA sized pot hole that pops one of your tires. That the need for speed could be policed by powers that be far beyond my understanding and comprehension, slowing and preventing progress down the pathway of progress.

I'm learning to be the mechanic. To run towards that car once it comes into my shop to fix it up, equip it with the high quality tools and parts it needs to succeed, and then send them on their way with instructions and a Waze GPS app (you know, to watch out for the cops! :-P) The question for me is do I have the wherewithal to do it? Or do I send them to another shop?

The biggest element in gaining trust is keeping it. Helping others know for sure that you have their backs, even when no one is looking. Being true to the grand promise and potential you spoke to them of, even when the juxtaposition - fighting against these troubles - seems so dire and stark.

For me, I feel compelled to run towards, not away from. This isn't the first challenging moment the City of Bogalusa has faced, with a dead on the council in May and a state level audit that subsequently came in June of last year. Sometimes it feels as troubles have been destined to follow Bogalusa leadership, and especially emerge at times of importance for the people they lead. Yet, the next morning, upon being released on a $150k bond, the Mayor made a post exclaiming, "Joy comes in the morning!" I'm hopeful for this City.

So, I've committed to being here, even when everything is up in flames. I want to be the person who instinctively comes with the bucket full of water, ready to pour it wherever is needed. Because as the stakeholder in the text exchange above said "another high profile leader with negative headlines" isn't going to slow our momentum down.

We will close ranks and keep working. Now we know we have to be careful and protect one another with a more watchful eye.

1. The original project proposal centered around driving the LDRC process across my two Parishes.

2. The unique local projects that both Washington and St. Helena Parishes are asking me for.

3. The special grant projects and initiatives that St. Tammany Corporation are executing.

My host and I met with Ms. Stacey Duvic, who leads the LDRC program for Louisiana. We learned about significant changes to the program guidelines and now I get to distill this information down and work more directly with municipal leadership across both Parishes to get it done. Together, we'll directly interrogate whether they are "Development Ready" based off IEDC metrics and qualifications.

Further, I met with the Washington Parish School Board to discuss the ACT Work Ready Communities program and gleaned their interest in what will become a regional wide focus going into the next year. This will be a major focus for STEDC and it was great to hear that the School Board was just as interested in working together. I'll be working to bring other school districts onboard, but wanted to start with one I know more closely first.

We have a pathway forward. Now it's time to execute. Yet, even as I celebrate these smaller wins, I'm left to grapple with deeper questions about value and worth. In November, I had people thanking me for the direction I was leading them in. Yet this month, the Board Chairman pushed his plan to hire an Executive Director so that they could show "they had at least made some progress." I embrace both sides of this coin. I'm coming to find that in this line of work, one often finds a win and loss in the same week - or even the same day!

I’ve come to accept that this is the nature of this experience: progress can be both visible and invisible, immediate and long-term. I'm going to take any loss on the chin, keep learning, and adjust as I go. I’m embracing this reality as I prepare to deepen my engagement in the months ahead, trusting that the relationships built and the structures we’re putting in place will ultimately make a lasting difference. Such is the ERC Beast!

But what happens when the folk who actually live in those communities don't believe the numbers? When the math ain't mapping and those data aggregates don't make a lick of sense?

Some in the community believe they have more wealth and jobs than laid out in the statistics. Others argue that the numbers don't accurately, nor adequately, capture their local context well enough. During one of my presentations to the SHED, a Board member interrupted me to challenge the figures I had, in particular interested in my ask where my sources. In saying that they were pulled from Lightcast, who in turn likely pulled them from Census, the guy asked point blank, "Well, what if they're wrong?"

Do we have an answer? I certainly didn't.

Serving in St. Helena has also exposed me to the concept of bedroom communities as well. In exploring this more with the President of SHED, I came to realize that their tax revenue issues also extend to how they count a domicile in the local Parish as well. They are caught between the wealthy folk from Baton Rogue and NOLA who want to get away from the city. Coupled with this reality is the fact that not many homes have been built in the Parish - instead they have many trailers and mobile homes. These don't have taxes due like a normal brick and mortar home, which also makes local residents not necessarily rush to change things.

Perhaps there is still yet to learn beyond the dollars and decimals after all?

Yes indeed!

Below, I'll go into a few projects that I'm navigating in across my Parishes:

In Washington, I'm helping to organize an Economic Development Summit in partnership with Representative John Wyble. Together, we worked to think through and produce this inaugural event. This event was initially supposed to take place in November, but Governor Landry called a Special Session that put a wrench into everything. We're excited to still be able to bring this to Washington Parish!

Rep. Wyble has long been interested in pursuing the revitalization of the Parish he represents, and wanted to work with me once he found out about ERC. We immediately hit it off, especially regarding his background in workforce development, and he's since introduced me to Louisiana's Speaker of the House, Phillip DeVillier to also talk about the ERC. He's invited three of Louisiana's Secretaries to also give comment and share priorities including:

• Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois

• Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Susana Schowen

• Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Joe Donahue.

Each of them will comment on the initiatives of the State and how they can impact the local economy within Washington Parish. Each Secretary will have an hour to present, and then we will all have a discussion over lunch. A half day conference that promises to be Parish shaking!

The Washington Economic Development Foundation has also committed itself to finding a new Executive Director and have asked me to help. Thus this far this has meant creating a recruitment strategy and drafting a job description. They are a smaller Foundation, but I am hopeful new leadership at the top will drive new programs and partnerships. I will be there to support them however I can.

In St. Helena, the work will continue apace. Along with the Steel Mill expansion, the Parish is also exploring the potential of bringing solar farms. With so much abundant land and comparatively sparse population, local leaders are increasingly seeing an opportunity in leveraging their natural resources. There is still a lot to accomplish however, including going before the Police Jury to present the solar concept before the Parish. Also, much of this is predicated on the idea of St. Helena actually benefits via signing a Community Benefit Agreement (CBA). However, thus far there has not been much technical assistance around designing an adequate Agreement, nor has there been much of an inventory of need or dialogue within the community. That's where I think I can help.

If we do this correctly we may introduce a new industry into the Parish! One that unfortunately will not have a ton of jobs attached, however, so we would need to be very intentional during the CBA process to protect community interests. I'm confident ERC can equip me with the skills I need in this regard.

Also, I am hoping to collaborate with the St. Helena Superintendent to design an internship program for her Parish. Each Louisiana school district has about a year to design and implement an internship program for their students. It's all in pursuit of increasing work based learning, but St. Helena has both few employers and even fewer jobs - so how are they supposed to promote an internship? We'll need to think creatively outside the box to solve this challenge, but I believe it is doable and look forward to future collaboration on the project.

I am able to be proud of what we have accomplished over these past 10+ months. My biggest takeaway has been have learned that notions of grand, sweeping solutions to longstanding, almost intractable challenges usually never works. Especially in places that have long faced strife.

Instead, our answers will be found found in the dirt. We're gonna have to roll up our sleeves and get deep into it in order to find the roots of equity and justice. And when we do find them, we'll be careful about safeguarding and protecting ourselves as much as possible.

Another big change came on Franklinton's Town Council, where the former Mayor Pro Temp was reelected, but not into the Pro Temp role. This will have tremendous impact on how she is able to move some of the initiatives and agenda items we'd strategized and brainstormed prior to the election. She was obviously planning for things to shake out in another direction, but such is the fickle life of politics. Now, everything goes back to the drawing table.

Similar upsets occurred across the rest of Washington Parish, but I had a plan for this as I was saving a few of my introductions for after the election anyway. I hope to meet with all of these new leaders and gain their perspective on both what they hope to achieve regarding economic development, and how I can help them get there.