AdoreAList2019_Pages_WOBleed

-LIST A THE 2019's MOST INFLUENTIAL NEW ORLEANIANS W hat exactly contributes to an A-List? Attitude, accomplishment, altruism? Well, yes; our list of influencers are rich in accolades and achievements. But what we most admire about this roster of creatives, professionals, and visionaries is their ability to advocate for a better New Orleans. With passion, imagination, and unbridled optimism, our A-Listers compel us to expand on the very things that make our city great – the preservation of our cultural history and the celebration of what makes us unique. As we reach for economic growth and community- driven progress, the people of New Orleans are our greatest asset. It is with great pleasure that we introduce these uniquely talented individuals. Their diverse and dynamic personalities are nothing short of inspiring. By KATY DANOS | photos by chris granger

BENJAMIN WATSON METAIRIE ATHLETE · AUTHOR · HUMANITARIAN New Orleans Saints, Retired What about New Orleans inspires you? New Orleans has a spirit unlike any I have ever been around. It's a spirit of resilience and resolve that has been forged by tough times followed by victory. One cannot spend time in this region without sensing that spirit and being motivated by it. New Orleans draws you in in a way that is difficult to explain. Name something about New Orleans that always puts you in a good mood. Seeing people dance. One game day I was arriving at the Superdome and stopped at the light on Poydras. I looked at the people tailgating and saw a man dancing to music while others cheered him on. I already had my game face on but this made me smile. That image encapsulated so much of what New Orleans represents. Pain, pride, laughter mixed together and expressed through music and movement.

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ADORE • A-LIST 2019