NEW ORLEANS – Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes, the New Orleans Business Alliance Director of Strategic Neighborhood Development, was named the first winner of the inaugural Essence Festival Excellence Award.

The award “shines a light” on individuals and organizations working within the community to enhance its greatness.

DeVan Ecclesiastes is leading the NOLABA efforts to improve the economic growth and prosperity of New Orleans neighborhoods including the community located at the Claiborne Avenue underpass. The regeneration of a neighborhood plan developed in 1976, the Claiborne Corridor Cultural Innovation District was relaunched in 2017 and seeks to bring equitable and inclusive economic development to that area and revive its historic position as a leading business community in New Orleans.

“Asali is truly a leader that combines her supreme creativity, talents and tenacity with an unstoppable passion for people to ensure that economic growth works for all of our friends and neighbors,” said Quentin L. Messer, Jr., president and CEO of NOLABA. “She is such an important part of our team and we’re all incredibly fortunate to support her work in enhancing the economic security of more New Orleanians.”

DeVan Ecclesiastes was given the award at the first ever Essence Festival Day of Service, which focused on Central City neighborhoods. She was honored for her commitment to excellence, her service to the greater New Orleans area, and her mission of impacting the broader community through tireless love and work.

About the New Orleans Business Alliance

A public-private partnership between the business community and city government, the New Orleans Business Alliance is the official economic development organization for New Orleans. Formed in 2010, NOLABA’s goal is to position the city as the ideal intersection of commerce and culture. Focused on holistic economic development, NOLABA works to attract new business investments to New Orleans, assist incumbent businesses with growth, while offering New Orleans citizens comprehensive talent development programs beneficial for both jobseekers and employees alike. Economic development matters only because people matter. By pursuing an inclusive economic development strategy, all New Orleanians will have enhanced economic security.

NOLABA is an Accredited Economic Development Organization from the International Economic Development Council, the largest economic development membership organization. Only 70 economic development organizations globally and four in Louisiana have earned accreditation. Visit nolaba.org for more information.