The overall theme chosen by the New Orleans Public Library's Black History Month Committee for this year is "African American Dream Builders: Achieving Economic Success." In keeping with that them, our 2003 Black History Month Art Contest celebrates African American Entrepreneurs. An entrepreneur is one who uses his or her own particular talents and skills to organize and manage their own enterprises, assuming the risks and reaping the rewards. Many African American entrepreneurs have used their success to help realize the dreams of their community at large, clearing the path for the successes of others. This display is the result of a general call for entries which was sent to schools throughout the New Orleans area for students in grades 7 through 12. They were judged by a panel of working artists that included Tony Champagne, an artist for the New Orleans Times-Picayune daily newspaper, Traci Batchelor, an art instructor who has worked in both the New Orleans and Jefferson Parish Public School systems, and our own Jennifer Cooper who has a Master of Fine Arts degree from the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, CA.

"Wally Amos," Justin Ryan Olivier, (Age 17, 12th Grade) De La Salle High School
First Place Winner

"Simply Mary J.," Nidia Bermudez, (Age 16, 10th Grade) Sarah T. Reed Senior High School
Second Place Winner

"Aaliyah-N-Left Eye," Cherriane McGraw, (Age 15, 10th Grade) Sarah T. Reed Senior High School
Third Place Winner

"Kadeem Hardison," Louis Dawkins, (Age 16, 11th Grade) O. Perry Walker Senior High School
Honorable Mention

"Oprah," Caitlin Romagosa, (Age 17, 12th Grade) De La Salle High School
Honorable Mention

Top left: "A Brand New Day," Ashley Stevenson (Age 15, 10th Grade), Xavier University Preparatory School; Bottom left: "C.J. Walker," Paige Culotta (Age 16, 11th Grade), Mount Carmel Academy; Bottom right: "Touching Lives," Lacey Westcott (Age 18, 12th Grade), Mount Carmel Academy
Honorable Mention

"Fulfilling His Dream," Madonna Gil (Age 17, 12th Grade), Mount Carmel Academy

"All Hail the Queen," Shira Maleckar (Age 17, 12th Grade), De La Salle High School

"Camille O. Cosby," Wyatt Holm (Age 17, 11th Grade), De La Salle High School

"Aaliyah Beyond," Ryan Martinez (Age 15, 9th Grade), O. Perry Walker Senior High School

Left to right: Untitled, Annie Walker (12th Grade), De La Salle High School; "Bill Cosby," Joseph Rodriguez (Age 16, 10th Grade), O. Perry Walker Senior High School.

"Laila Ali," David Dawkins (Age 15, 9th Grade), O. Perry Walker Senior High School.

Black History Month 2003 Home

2/18/2003