KATRINA/TSUNAMI TRANSNATIONAL EXCHANGE - PARTICIPANTS FROM THE GULF COAST

Latosha Brown (Mississippi & Alabama) is the Executive Director of Saving Our Selves (SOS), a coalition of over 117 groups with historical ties, contacts and interests to these low and moderate-income rural communities. 

Victoria Cintra (Mississippi) is a Mississippi Immigrant Rights Alliance (MIRA) organizer who is leading the charge across the region battling for the rights of the foreign-born while driving around, organizing, documenting abuses, and demanding justice.

Elvis Cintra-Licea (Mississippi) also works with the Mississippi Immigrant Rights Alliance (MIRA). 

Pam Dashiell (Louisiana) is a part of the Holy Cross Neighbrohood Association in New Orleans.

Reverend Lois Dejean (Louisiana) is the director of the Gert Town Revival Initiative (GRI) in New Orleans, where she advocates for environmental justice.   Rev. Dejean and GRI are currently involved in obtaining property in the Gert Town neighborhood that has been adjudicated to the city of New Orleans so that the property can be repaired and offered to individuals displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

Reverend Frederick Fields (Louisiana) pastor of Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church in Slidell, LA, has been bringing people together and coordinating volunteers and victims of all faiths.

Sam Jackson (Louisiana) is an electrician who works for a ship builder also works with tenant groups at the B.W. Cooper Housing Complex in New Orleans.

Endesha Juakali (Louisiana) is a community leader in New Orleans, "Survivors Village", St. Bernard Public Housing Project.

Father Hongdung Van Lukenguyen (Lousiana) is a Priest and community leader at Mary Queen of Vietnam Catholic Church in New Orleans East.

Geina Taylor (Louisiana) works with Pam Dashiel in the Holy Cross Neighborhood Association in New Orleans.

Nathalie Walker (Louisiana) co-founded Advocates for Environmental Human Rights (AEHR), a public interest law firm.  The mission of AEHR is to defend the fundamental human right to a healthy environment.  AEHR provides a broad range of legal and public advocacy services to communities where the rights to life, health, and racial equality are systematically violated by governmental laws, policies, and practices that deny human rights and facilitate and perpetuate environmental racism.

Viola Washington (Louisiana) works with the Gentilly Welfare Rights Union and People's Hurricane Relief Fund.