Jaleesa Jackson is the co-founder of Women of Wakanda, and Krysten Perkins is a Vibranium Council Member within the collective. We sit down with Jaleesa and Krysten to talk about how Women of Wakanda began in 2018 and grew into an Afro-futurist, joy-centered community rooted in mutual aid, imagination, and care for Black women in New Orleans.

Together, we explore how the group mirrors the legacy of New Orleans’ historic social aid and pleasure clubs through skill-sharing, wellness and outdoor activities, book clubs, school supply drives, and everyday support like meal trains, ride sharing, and showing up for one another in moments of grief and celebration. This conversation centers joy as a form of resistance and highlights how community care can be expansive, sustainable, and deeply human when it’s built on trust, creativity, and shared responsibility.

Mission Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. Missions Bayou is hosted by Maya McGee and Brenna Gourgeot. Maya McGee is the Senior Director of Operations at Comfy Stone, where she helps nonprofits clarify and elevate their storytelling to better reflect their mission and impact. Brenna Gourgeot is a community organizer and data analyst focused on socioeconomic and environmental justice in Southeast Louisiana. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates.

Follow Comfy Stone

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/

Website: https://www.comfystone.com/

Alex Owens is the Executive Director of Be Loud Studios, and Jace is a Junior Producer at Be Loud Studios. In this conversation, we talk about how Be Loud started as a classroom experiment and grew into a nonprofit dedicated to amplifying youth voice through radio, podcasting, and digital media. Alex shares the origin story of the organization, how giving young people a microphone transformed engagement, and how Be Loud now works with students, teachers, and community partners to build confidence and create meaningful conversations across New Orleans.

We also hear directly from Jace about his journey from a shy student to a confident interviewer and mentor, and how being part of Be Loud has shaped his growth on and off the mic. Together, we explore why audio creates a more level playing field, how youth-led storytelling challenges power dynamics, and why spaces like Be Loud matter for helping young people feel heard, valued, and prepared to lead in their communities. 

Mission Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates.

Follow Comfy Stone

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/

Website: https://www.comfystone.com/

Daniel Harris is the Executive Director of Winston Rhea, a nonprofit supporting young adults as they age out of the foster care system. We talk with Daniel about the deeply personal origin of Winston Rhea, the mentors who shaped his life while he was in foster care, and how that experience led him to build a four-year, hands-on support program rooted in consistency, grace, and long-term commitment. Daniel shares powerful stories of scholars navigating college, careers, parenthood, and mental health challenges, and how Winston Rhea meets them where they are instead of pushing them out when life doesn’t go as planned.

We also dig into the systemic barriers foster youth face, from rigid program requirements to confusing and often mismanaged financial aid systems. Daniel breaks down his advocacy work around Chafee funds, how Winston Rhea helped correct long-standing policy errors in Louisiana, and why access to education funding, life skills training, and alternative career pathways like the trades can be life-changing. This conversation highlights why sustained relationships, flexible support, and informed policy work are essential to creating real stability for young people transitioning out of foster care.

Mission Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates.

Follow Comfy Stone

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/

Website: https://www.comfystone.com/

Greg Ravy is the CEO of Heroes of New Orleans, an organization expanding opportunities for youth through workforce development, entrepreneurship, and family support. We sit down with Greg to talk about why so many young people struggle to access meaningful career paths, how his team helps students build real-world skills, and the importance of exposing youth to options beyond what they see every day. Greg breaks down their individualized workforce approach, their hands-on summer entrepreneurship program, and the “expert brunches” that connect teens directly with professionals in the careers they’re interested in. He also shares why supporting parents is essential to breaking generational cycles and how Heroes of New Orleans is reshaping what’s possible for families across the city.

We also get into the launch of the new Heroes 360 Club—a community membership that opens access to a renovated gym, gaming room, makerspace, kitchen, and more. Greg talks through upcoming workforce cohorts, summer programs, and their major fundraising event at NOLA Motorsports. Thank you to Greg for sharing how Heroes of New Orleans is building the city’s next generation of leaders!

Mission Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates.

Follow Comfy Stone

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/

Website: https://www.comfystone.com/

Dan Fox is the Editor-In-Chief and publisher of ANTIGRAVITY Magazine, one of New Orleans’ most trusted alternative print publications. We sit down with Dan to talk about the origins of ANTIGRAVITY, its mission to document underrepresented culture, and how the magazine has grown from a DIY alt-rag to a community institution that’s influenced writers, artists, and local media for two decades. We also dig into their famously rigorous editorial process and how the team nurtures new voices, preserves cultural history, and continues to champion stories that often go overlooked.

We also explore the evolution of the ANTIGRAVITY Voter Education Guide, why it became a vital civic resource, and how it’s reshaped community engagement around local elections. Dan shares what’s next for the publication, how folks can support their work, and a few exciting events they have on the horizon.

Mission Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. Missions Bayou is hosted by Maya McGee and Brenna Gourgeot. Maya McGee is the Senior Director of Operations at Comfy Stone, where she helps nonprofits clarify and elevate their storytelling to better reflect their mission and impact. Brenna Gourgeot is a community organizer and data analyst focused on socioeconomic and environmental justice in Southeast Louisiana. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates.

Follow Comfy Stone

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/

Website: https://www.comfystone.com/

Amanda Takacs is the Program Coordinator and Seth Blitch is the Director of Conservation at The Nature Conservancy. We sit down with them to unpack the Louisiana Treesilience Program: how restoring and expanding urban tree canopy on public land keeps neighborhoods cooler, buffers storms, absorbs floodwater, supports wildlife, and even calms traffic. They break down the “right tree, right place” approach, why native and storm-resilient species matter, and how proactive maintenance (like pruning for storm readiness) protects people and infrastructure.

We also cover recent work in Lakeview, including removing hazardous/invasive trees, pruning mature oaks, and planting live oaks and bald cypress, and how community-led projects get funded and delivered. You’ll hear who can apply (cities, schools, churches, cemeteries, neighborhood groups), current eligibility tied to 22 parishes, funding available through early 2026 for one or two larger projects, and how communities can get canopy assessments or design help.

Mission Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates.

Follow Comfy Stone

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/

Website: https://www.comfystone.com/

Alison Hotard and Josie Delaune are the Executive Director and President of YLC. We sit down with them to talk about YLC’s 40th anniversary, why retaining young professionals matters in New Orleans, and how the organization is evolving, including alumni “Where Are They Now?” spotlights, a reunion, and fresh pathways for skills-based volunteering, mentorship, and civic engagement. We also dig into why relationships are the engine of change here and how YLC creates a real runway for emerging leaders.

We cover YLC’s legacy (from lighting the Crescent City Connection to sparking community initiatives) and their current push: keeping talent in NOLA through leadership development, Role Model events, and accessible memberships. Learn more about YLC at ylcnola.org and follow along for ways to get involved.

Mission Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates.

Follow Comfy Stone

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/

Website: https://www.comfystone.com/

Chuck Morse is the Executive Director and Bernadette Carriere is the Director of Thrive Business at Thrive New Orleans. We sit down with them to talk about the Barbara Lacen-Keller Park project in Central City, why honoring a beloved civic leader and culture bearer matters now, and how replacing concrete with green space can cool the neighborhood, reduce crime, and capture stormwater (targeting ~10,000 gallons in the first hour).

We also get into “porch culture,” preserving everyday history, and training indigenous residents to lead resiliency work so New Orleans is known not just for music and food, but for stormwater stewardship and community-led design.

Mission Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates.

Follow Comfy Stone

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/

Website: https://www.comfystone.com/

Austyn Malynn is the Program Manager at Girls on the Run New Orleans. We talk about how their after-school program pairs joyful movement with social-emotional learning to rebuild confidence for girls ages 8–14, culminating in a noncompetitive, “happy pace” Spring 5K where every finish is a win. We cover why confidence dips in middle school, why girls drop out of sports at higher rates, and how GOTR creates a safe, supportive space where participants set their own goals, process big feelings, and prove to themselves they can do hard things.

We also dig into access and impact: a sliding-scale fee structure, payment plans, and community coaching make sure any girl can participate, with seasons running twice a year for 8–10 weeks. We explore how listeners can participate, by volunteering time, sharing talents on the 5K committee, donating resources, or cheering at the finish line, to keep this confidence-building work moving forward in New Orleans.

Mission Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates.

Follow Comfy Stone

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/

Website: https://www.comfystone.com/

Alexis Marceaux is the Director of Community Programming for the Lafitte Greenway Partnership. We sit down with Alexis to explore how the Lafitte Greenway transformed from a post-Katrina grassroots vision into a vibrant 2.6-mile linear park connecting six New Orleans neighborhoods. Alexis shares how the Greenway’s programs, like the Supernova light and music festival, engage local communities and serve as a launching pad for emerging artists. We hear about the economic impact of the Greenway, how it’s attracting new businesses, and the powerful stories of residents reclaiming blighted spaces.

We also dive into Alexis’ passion for preserving Louisiana’s French heritage through music, her band’s mission to modernize Cajun songs, and how cultural preservation connects generations. Looking ahead, we discuss plans to complete the Greenway’s full 3.1-mile trail, expand green infrastructure to help manage stormwater, and plant 1,000 cypress trees to restore the area’s natural resilience. Join us as we celebrate the Greenway’s 10-year anniversary and its vital role as both a cultural and environmental asset for New Orleans.

Mission Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates.

Follow Comfy Stone

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/

Website: https://www.comfystone.com/