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June Hazeur Data News Contributor
1. Representative Delisha Boyd
Representative Delisha Boyd (D-Louisiana) has been a trailblazer in Louisiana politics, serving as the first African American woman elected to represent District 102 in the Louisiana House of Representatives. She assumed office on November 29, 2021, and has since worked tirelessly to secure funding for community projects, including Brechtel Park, the Algiers Development District, the New Orleans Military Academy, and Heroes of New Orleans, while also partnering with DOTD to improve infrastructure.
A lifelong resident of Algiers, Louisiana, Rep. Boyd graduated from Xavier Preparatory School, earned a B.B.A. from Southern University at New Orleans, and later received an M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix. In addition to her public service, she is a successful entrepreneur, leading Delisha Boyd LLC, a respected real estate brokerage firm. She also serves on the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority and the Algiers Economic Development Foundation boards.
Rep. Boyd’s dedication to her constituents has earned her numerous honors.
Additionally, Rep. Boyd is Vice Chair of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus and an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, The Links, Incorporated (New Orleans Chapter), and the National Black MBA Association.
Through her leadership, advocacy, and commitment to progress, Representative Delisha Boyd continues to shape Louisiana’s future, proving why she is a phenomenal woman
Chief Justice Bernette Johnson, the first Black Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court, has been a tireless champion for justice, fairness, and equal access to the law. Her unwavering commitment to civil rights and judicial integrity has transformed our legal system for the better. Bernette Johnson retired after having a legal career spanning half a century – for the past 26 years she’s been the only Black Jurist on the Louisiana Supreme Court rising to the ranks of Chief Justice.
As the Chief Deputy City Attorney appointed by Mayor Marc Morial, Judge Love was the lead author of the first domestic violence ordinance for the City of New Orleans. Judge Love was elected in 1995 to the Orleans Parish Civil District Court. In 2000, Judge Love was elected to the State of Louisiana, Court of Appeal, Fourth Circuit from which she
retired as Chief Judge in December 2024. Judge Love has served as a mentor and advisor with programs committed to collegiate education of youth of New Orleans.
Chief Judge Love retired from the Louisiana Judiciary on December 31, 2024, after 29 years of dedicated service. Her retirement provides her the opportunity to dedicate her experience and talents to community service with a focus on creating a new generation of dedicated leaders. She will also enjoy traveling with family and friends.
Senator Diana Bajoie, a trailblazer in the Louisiana Legislature, broke barriers as the first Black woman elected to the Louisiana Senate. Her leadership, advocacy, and dedication to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities have left a lasting impact on our state and our people.
Rashida Ferdinand founded Sankofa Community Development Corporation in 2008 in the Lower Ninth with an initial focus on neighborhood restoration. The work of Sankofa has evolved, as the community has, to include a Wetland Park, Food Pantry, Fresh Start Market, Vegetable Farm, The Lower Ninth Ward Economic Advancement Main Street and Workforce Development programs.
For more than 30 years Deon Haywood has advocated for the rights of Black women and girls, poor and working-class folks, sex workers, substance users, and LGBTQ+ communities in the Deep South. Haywood is Executive Director of Women with a Vision (WWAV), the groundbreaking HIV/AIDS prevention organization. WWAV’s work blossomed, connecting HIV/AIDS prevention and education to reproductive justice, youth advocacy, harm reduction, and more, leading to the milestone defeat of Louisiana’s archaic Crimes Against Nature by Solicitation statute, and a victory for constitutional rights as those affected were removed from the sex offender registry in 2013 and were able to begin rebuilding their lives.
7. Dr. Denise Roubion-Johnson
Dr. Denise Roubion-Johnson has been the Lead Clinical Associate and Medical Advisor for the statewide La Breast and Cervical Early Detection Program since 2017. She provides direct patient care, community outreach and education to women with breast cancer and other breast abnormalities. She presents webinars and lectures to Physicians, Medical Students, and the Community to increase the importance of early detection through screenings for breast and cervical cancer. Dr. Johnson and her dedication to cancer screening and prevention has been recognized with several honors by groups such as the American Cancer Society, the Diana Bajoie Cancer Ambassador’s Award and Proclamations from the New Orleans City Council for 10 consecutive years, with the most recent being 2024 for her long-standing efforts in increasing cancer awareness and access to early detection services. She believes all women with cancer should be treated equally regardless of their ability to pay.
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