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While learning remote is the safest option during this time, it's not hard to imagine that a 4-hour Zoom meeting can get boring quickly. To keep our Futures Fund Tech Academy Trainees motivated, we've selected some major acts to reward our teens for returning each week and participating. In September, we've had activities including weekly guest DJs, trivia contests, teamwork and skills-building, and incentivized prize giveaways to Trainees going above and beyond! See below for all the surprise appearances by local and national celebs like Snoop Dogg, Dee-1, Marcel P. Black, and more! Big shout out to New Era Booking for helping us secure these talented and insightful artists.

During every lunch break at the Tech Academy, we host a "Lunch and Learn" with a special guest speaker. Our speakers come from all over the nation, but often have local roots that the Trainees can relate to. Each speaker discusses their journey of following their passion and finding what drives them, as well as opening up about the difficulties of them getting there. This month we hosted two amazing individuals, local activist Myra Richardson and professional skateboarder Corey Dennis. Myra talked to the teens about growing a presence as a youth and speaking up for yourself. She imparted that one of the hardest hurdles to overcome is not just race or gender, but age and perceived experience. She answered questions on building support towards issues that mean a lot to our youth, as well as why she continues her passionate work to make progress in this city. You can follow Myra on Instagram here. Fresh from California, Corey Dennis (aka @swampzillah), discusses breaking into skateboarding, a predominantly white industry. Despite numerous setbacks, Corey was able to break the stigma that hovered and made a name for himself in his hobby-turned career. While a Lafayette-native, Corey moved to Oakland, CA in the past few years to build his brand and influence as a skateboarder. Corey's gained some great success, starring in Lil Wayne's Tribute to New Orleans and being featured in a few well-known skate magazines like Thrasher. Watch the Lil' Wayne Love Letter to New Orleans below:

Due to COVID, Louisiana finds itself with high unemployment levels and a surplus of low-skill workers. Industry workforce experts across the state have identified technology job roles as key investments in training and hiring in the post-COVID pandemic playbook for any business. To provide a local solution to this unprecedented unemployment, Walls is now offering our Futures Fund technology and soft-skills training for adults, veterans, and at-risk youth no longer enrolled in school. In partnership with BRCC Acadian and EmployBR, our Coding Boot Camp will be an accelerated version of our 6-year proven Futures Fund Tech Academy model to up-skill workers, sending them back to work and on a pathway to meaningful employment in just 6 months. With a surge in low-skill worker unemployment, the time is now to up-skill un(der)employed residents of Louisiana for the jobs of the future. The Futures Fund's intergenerational training program can help anyone get the career technology skills needed to become part of the online economy and remote workforce. When college campuses can safely re-open at full-capacity, Walls will offer in-person training for our youth Futures Fund Tech Academy at Southern University and BRCC Mid City, and the Futures Fund Coding Boot Camp accelerated training for adults and veterans at BRCC Acadian and RPCC Geismer. Interested in becoming a Boot Camp Trainee? Apply here.

“This investment will improve the quality of life and enable safer, more resilient communities for both Louisiana’s 6th Congressional District and the entire state. The funds will touch and enhance nearly every aspect of our lives – physical infrastructure, public utilities, workforce development, job training and economic development – all of which play a major role in making Louisiana’s economy more competitive.” - Congressman Garret Graves (R-LA 6th District) CLARKSDALE, MS – Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) announced a $4,674,091 investment that will boost economic development and improve the quality of life for Louisiana communities and residents.  The 19 new investment projects will improve water and sewer systems, update transportation infrastructure, support entrepreneurship, and better healthcare access in communities across Louisiana.  The investment will be matched by $2.7 million and is projected to create or retain 690 jobs, train 602 individuals, and affect over 15,000 families.   “The Delta Regional Authority’s $4.6 million investment into 19 critical projects will strengthen economic success in Louisiana by improving vital infrastructure and creating opportunities to foster workforce development,” said DRA Federal Co-Chairman Chris Caldwell.  “These investments highlight the importance of local and regional public-private partnerships in realizing the long-term success of infrastructure, business, and workforce projects to spur job growth and ultimately improve business competitiveness in the region.  I would like to thank Governor Edwards, Senator Cassidy, Senator Kennedy, and the entire Louisiana Congressional delegation for their continued support and commitment to the Delta Regional Authority and our work to create jobs, build communities, and improve the lives of those residing in our region.” Funding for these projects is provided by the States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP), which provides direct investment into community-based and regional projects to support basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, workforce training and education, and small businesses development with an emphasis on entrepreneurship, and the Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF), which targets physical infrastructure projects that help build safer, more resilient communities in the Delta region.  DRA coordinates directly with the Office of the Governor for the State of Louisiana and seven local development districts in the state for program funding implementation. “DRA’s investment will improve basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, healthcare access, and job training to support economic development in communities across Louisiana.” - Governor John Bel Edwards

On September 17, Capital Area United Way hosted its 2020 Annual Meeting virtually via Facebook Live. Many outstanding individuals and organizations were honored during the event, including The Walls Project, receiving the Impact Grantee Award. Director, Casey Phillips virtually beamed, On behalf of the entire Walls Project organization and board of directors, we are honored to receive this award. We could not do the work we do in the Louisiana community without the support of the Capital Area United Way. Many thanks, Capital Area United Way, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome, and to all our program funders and partners for your continued hard work and vision to elevate The City of Baton Rouge. .Thank you Capital Area United Way for this great honor! You can watch their full event by going to their Facebook or clicking here.

NEA Our Town Planning Liftoff Community Planning for the NEA Advancements at Baton Roots NEA OUR TOWN STEERING COMMITTEE GOALS: - Baton Roots Community Farm Expanding to 5-Acres to provide fresh produce access to food-insecure families - Walls Project create a comprehensive list of local stakeholders to give their input on potential amenities at the farm - Engage with LSU School of Landscape Architecture + Coastal Sustainability Studio - Compliment the existing BREC Howell Park Master Plan + Imagine Plank Rd  - Present a plan to the NEA and local & national foundations next summer to secure funding for implementation NEA PLANNING GRANT TIMELINE: 1. Late Summer (August-September 2020): Identify artists to participate in planning efforts; plan first community engagement workshop with artists; engage Southern University urban forestry students and Southern Ag Center 2. Early Fall (September-October): plan community engagement events 3. Mid Fall (October-November): host 2-3 community engagement events 4. Late Fall (November-December 2020): organize and analyze data from community engagement 5. Winter (January 2021): Conduct design charette with artists, SU urban forestry students, and LSU design students in Landscape Architecture 3002  and Architecture 4072 (potential project for LA Design Week) 6. Spring (February-March 2021):  Design Development 7. Spring (April 2021): Final Design 8. Early Summer (May-June 2021):  Final editing of publication draft and project delivery (Serrano/Palagi/Birch and LSU Coastal Sustainability Studio student interns) BATON ROOTS OUTDOOR KITCHEN PAVILION (INSPIRATION IMAGES): BREC Howell Park Master Plan: 8.12.20 Meeting Agenda & Zoom Chat: Over a year ago, Baton Roots Community Farm’s groundbreaking at BREC Howell Park signaled a new community-wide investment in North Baton Rouge. Now, with a $100,000 planning grant award from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Baton Roots is on track to becoming a fresh food oasis in the midst of a food desert. With recent support from the NEA, the Walls is partnering with LSU Coastal Sustainability Studio to develop a comprehensive master plan and site design for the farm’s 4-acre footprint at the once underutilized golf course. LSU Coastal Sustainability Studio faculty and students will lend their technical expertise in architecture and landscape architecture to help develop the plan with the local community, HealthyBR, BREC, BR Green, Build Baton Rouge, and WHLC Architecture.  The NEA grant is to plan with the Howell Park and surrounding community what the vision for the Baton Roots Community Farm future will be. Given the current status of the pandemic, we are not comfortable asking our artist-in-residence, Faheem Majeed, to travel from Chicago and our North BR community engagement activities will remain paused until further notice. However, you are invited to the Zoomverse for the humble beginnings of what potentially could become a turning point moment in the reactivation of the Winbourne corridor.  The goal of this meeting is to review the existing Baton Roots footprint and align everyone’s expectations on the work ahead to build on the existing BREC Howell Park master plan and compliment the Imagine Plank Rd work being driven by BBR. We will then begin the outreach to our larger community partner orbit for our next meeting: - Living Faith Church - Church Point Ministries - Oasis Church - Winbourne Elementary - Brookstown Middle  - Arlington Academy - Istrouma High Alumni  - Glen Oaks High & Alumni (Baton Roots satellite site)  - Capitol High & Alumni (Baton Roots satellite site)  - Scotlandville High & Alumni (Baton Roots satellite site)  - Businesses and Nonprofits along the Winbourne Ave and Plank Rd corridor - Zion City Civic Association - Scotlandville CDC/CADAV - NorthBR Now - And many, many more!  There are lots of ideas to share including a demonstration kitchen pavilion, farmers market, and a fantastical 25'+ public art system beginning along Winbourne Ave. We cannot wait to hear all of your collective ideas to incorporate into the farm's masterplan followed by what Walls does best - turn to action!  - - - 14:29:20 From Casey Phillips : Who else needs to be engaged in this planning work at BREC Howell Park on Winbourne Ave? Here is my initial list, please put names/emails into the chat: - Living Faith Church - Church Point Ministries - Oasis Church - Winbourne Elementary - Brookstown Middle - Arlington Academy - Istrouma High Alumni - Glen Oaks High & Alumni (Baton Roots satellite site) - Capitol High & Alumni (Baton Roots satellite site) - Scotlandville High & Alumni (Baton Roots satellite site) - Businesses and Nonprofits along the Winbourne Ave and Plank Rd corridor - Zion City Civic Association - Scotlandville CDC/CADAV - NorthBR Now 14:30:42 From Jared Hymowitz : Hi-Nabor 14:30:47 From Jared Hymowitz : salvation Army 14:31:17 From Jared Hymowitz : Habitat for Humanity 14:31:42 From Jared Hymowitz : Tony's Seafood 14:32:00 From Jared Hymowitz : Catholic Diocese 14:32:08 From Jared Hymowitz : Cristo Ray 14:33:01 From Jared Hymowitz : Democracy Prep 14:33:24 From Casey Phillips : Thank you Jared 14:33:29 From Alexis Phillips : youth oasis 14:33:43 From Jared Hymowitz : AARP 14:34:49 From Manny Patole - CCBR : What should be the qualifiers to be part of the planning group? Those who are located in this corridor, those who have links to the corridor, etc? We should keep it open but also mindful of too many voices/spoiled soup 14:35:17 From Casey Phillips : Manny, both of the categories. 14:39:53 From Manny Patole - CCBR : Great meeting everyone. Casey/Mitchell I will follow-up with you one next steps. 14:40:02 From Mitchell Provensal : Thank you Manny! 14:40:48 From Manny Patole - CCBR : BR is a receiving city and have so many connected issues related to coastal issues of LA. 14:43:47 From Carl Motsenbocker : Together Baton Rouge - targeting churches in North Baton Rouge. 14:44:08 From Mary Bergeron : Neighborhood houses of worship 14:45:12 From Faheem Majeed : Hi Everyone. I really look forward to working with everyone. Really excited to get to work. 14:46:34 From Casey Phillips : Cleve Dunn for outreach 14:46:42 From Jared Hymowitz : Housing Authority 14:48:15 From Rex : Project Website? 14:50:30 From Chelsea Morgan : can you include the master plans mentioned in the notes? I know we have seen them but it would nice to have them all in one place. 14:51:03 From Casey Phillips : Walls Project will email the Goals and the Master Plan 14:53:11 From Casey Phillips : Katie great idea, a communications plan for this 14:57:25 From Geno McLaughlin : https://fluxconsole.com/files/item/69/61678/Imagine%20Plank%20Road_Final%20Report_2019.11.06_web.pdf 14:57:50 From Katie Pritchett : and then you could maybe do a quick poll on that same page to ask residents their zip code and what they see the continued vision is for this project.

In the spring of 2020, Baton Roots received a much-needed gift, a tractor donated by Lynne Pisto. Of course, it wouldn't be a Walls Project piece without a little art splash. To create a out-of-this-world piece, we contacted local muralist Skinny Dope, who sprang into action. This was not a typical paint job. Tractors have many moving parts and crevices, so not only did it have to look amazing, it had to keep the integrity of the equipment. Skinny was not fazed by the request and totally knocked it out in little less than a week. A futuristic afro-centric mask in a beautiful gradient sits prominently on the hood of the tractor, something Program Coordinator, Mitchell Provensal, stated is a highlight of every use, "Whenever I get to see this fabulous art piece while plowing the fields, it completely makes my day."

Much like training in martial arts, practicing code is about dedication, perseverance, and the ability to be agile. Futures Fund Dean of Coding Quinton Jason, Jr. knows exactly the level of dedication it takes to not only learn code by to excel at it. When he isn't training for a Tekken video game championship, Quinton is a freelance coder, taking on projects that interest him whenever and wherever he is. Quinton Jason, Jr. started with the Futures Fund over 4 years ago as a coding instructor. Quinton truly enjoyed being a part of a culture-shifting program, "I am very passionate about coding. He loves to build things and messing around making silly demos. I use code to bring folks together. With a focus on Accessibility, code presents the opportunity to make life better for all people." To spread the love of coding and create a networking opportunity, Quinton started the Activate Conference, an annual event that brings in panels and speakers to highlight the continual evolution of coding, especially coding in the South.

Of course, no farm is complete without a tractor! Baton Rouge local, Lynne Pisto, gifted Baton Roots a much-needed component in the expansion. This groovy, red tractor will help plow the fields at BREC Howell park as well as at satellite sites like Capital High. And no new addition is truly complete without a Walls stamp on it. Stay tuned for more!

Learning remotely is quickly becoming the standard for safe, distant education. In keeping up with safety and social distancing needs, Futures Fund is working quickly to digitize its Coding for the Web curriculum in time for the Fall semester. To help with this, New School for Baton Rouge has donated $10,000 towards the cost of converting our time-tested curriculum for the digital space. Lessons will include recorded video walkthroughs, assessment questions, and exercises to help students work out the new skills they've acquired. Digitizing the curriculum not only allows for remote learning but creates the ability for self-starters to progress at their own pace.

Drawing the Line by Bryson Boutte Despite having to pause midway through for social distancing, Bryson Boutte quickly picked back up to finish the mural. This triptych brightens 1116 S.14th Street with a vibrant message on social equity and resiliency, circling access to homeownership. "This piece felt like it had a power of its own, pulling me to finish it everyday. Then George Floyd was murdered and America's magnifying glass went to issues that have effected citizens for decades. I feel like this piece is a reminder of where we came from, and the type of action they took to install a strong community.” - Bryson Boutte, Artist "Drawing the Line" is the third mural in the#ONEROUGE campaign, aimed at igniting discussion and action for the reasons behind the driver of poverty - Lack of homeownership and escalating rental costs. To elevate the great work already being done to dismantle this driver, Walls Project partnered with Kimble Properties and Partners Southeast. Both organizations work tirelessly to continue driving access to homeownership for everyone. We believe art is vital component in the revitalization of this neighborhood.  We look forward to building a long term working relationship with Casey and his team at the Walls Project as we continue on our journey of adding value to both the People and the buildings in Old South Baton Rouge. - Anthony Kimble, Kimble Properties Kimble Properties Team: Anthony Kimble, Ariel Brown, and Tevin Wade.

Seeing the potential of training Baton Rouge's youth in digital technology, Baton Rouge American Advertising Federation has contributed $5,000 to the support of the program. Working with BR AAF, Futures Fund is looking to expand mentorship between local industry creatives and youth, to facilitate connections and lead towards real-life job placement in industries looking for an innovative, diverse workforce. Teens training with Futures Fund during Fall 2020 will enjoy a new digital experience: remote learning with a twist. With digital training, opportunities for workshops and webinars hosted by various partners are endless, allowing industries to introduce new fields and careers to our city's youth. THANK YOU!