About Us
OAMSC is an established 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit that has demonstrated capacity to institute a long-term revitalization and community capacity building program. The OAMSC oversees the revitalization of an approximately a two-square-mile area. Founded in 1996, OAMSC was established by a diverse group of neighborhood leaders, inclusive of the entire community. Incorporated in the State of Louisiana and utilizing guidelines outlined by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as its foundation, OAMSC endeavors to rejuvenate a once vibrant business presence within the neighborhoods comprising Old Algiers. Through community visioning workshops and group focus sessions, the need was identified to return vacant buildings into viable businesses that provide needed services for the community and improve quality of life for its residents. Operated solely by volunteers, OAMSC receives a broad base of support through membership, corporate sponsors and elected officials.
Currently, the organization’s primary focus is the area around the Newton/Teche corridors. With the connection to the Federal City and proposed riverfront development, and substantial inventory of building stock ready for rehabilitation, this area is poised to become a vital economic corridor. The recent designation as an Urban Main Street program and a Cultural Products District will enhance the opportunities in the area.
The overall goal of OAMSC is to build business capacity and enhance the quality of life for Old Algiers’ residents. The program seeks to stimulate community reinvestment by promoting the rich culture, educating youth, growing small businesses, creating jobs, attracting new residents through commercial and residential rehabilitation, and by growing the local tax base. All of these initiatives will help make the Old Algiers community one of the best neighborhoods to live, work and operate a small business in the City of New Orleans.
OAMSC addresses the issues of historic preservation and commercial revitalization, which entails land use issues, code violations and dealing with blighted and adjudicated property. The organization also works to enhance the awareness of the cultural assets the area possesses.
Recent Accomplishments
2025 Board of Directors
Kevin Kellup, President
Erik Paskewich, Vice President
Eurydice Bush-Harrison, Secretary
Karri Maggio, Treasurer
At-Large Members
Lore’ Coleman-Helton
Cynthia Bryan
Kelsey Foster
Jason Hill
Kawan McIntyre
Stephen Mosgrove
Sunni Patterson
Chantel Tate
Currently, the organization’s primary focus is the area around the Newton/Teche corridors. With the connection to the Federal City and proposed riverfront development, and substantial inventory of building stock ready for rehabilitation, this area is poised to become a vital economic corridor. The recent designation as an Urban Main Street program and a Cultural Products District will enhance the opportunities in the area.
The overall goal of OAMSC is to build business capacity and enhance the quality of life for Old Algiers’ residents. The program seeks to stimulate community reinvestment by promoting the rich culture, educating youth, growing small businesses, creating jobs, attracting new residents through commercial and residential rehabilitation, and by growing the local tax base. All of these initiatives will help make the Old Algiers community one of the best neighborhoods to live, work and operate a small business in the City of New Orleans.
OAMSC addresses the issues of historic preservation and commercial revitalization, which entails land use issues, code violations and dealing with blighted and adjudicated property. The organization also works to enhance the awareness of the cultural assets the area possesses.
Recent Accomplishments
- The Algiers Tricentennial in 2019 included a year-long remembrance and celebration of the community's 300th birthday. A UNESCO marker now stands in front of the Algiers Courthouse commemorating the many enslaved people who disembarked on the banks of the Mississippi River nearby. For more information about the history of Old Algiers, see the app @new orleans historical.
- #EquityRising, an umbrella program that includes workforce development and small business support initiated by OAMSC in 2021. Its focus is equitable economic development in the community of Old Algiers
- Annual Old Algiers Crawfish Boil has become a pre-Mother's Day tradition. Presented in partnership with the Pride of Algiers Masonic Lodge, it has returned after a pandemic-related hiatus.
- Annual Meetings inform, educate and entertain members and potential members each year in December This is generally the date when new board members are elected.
- With a grant from New Orleans Redevelopment Authority, OAMSC has created a directory of more than 150 businesses and entities within its program area. The online version is a colorful presentation of information and opportunities to Shop Local!, and the print version can be found in many local businesses. A new edition will be released in April 2023.
- Annually, OAMSC supports small businesses during the holidays with promotions and activities. In 2022, it partnered with New Orleans Business Alliance for the Mastercard-sponsored Home Grown Holidays. Look forward to information about the 2023 activities, including a visit with Santa!
2025 Board of Directors
Kevin Kellup, President
Erik Paskewich, Vice President
Eurydice Bush-Harrison, Secretary
Karri Maggio, Treasurer
At-Large Members
Lore’ Coleman-Helton
Cynthia Bryan
Kelsey Foster
Jason Hill
Kawan McIntyre
Stephen Mosgrove
Sunni Patterson
Chantel Tate
Board of Directors Bios:
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Eurydice Bush-Harrison is a lifelong resident of Algiers and a dedicated community member. She is a graduate of Xavier University with a degree in Mass Communications. Additionally, she holds a Post Baccalaureate certificate in Human Resources Management from Tulane University SOCS and is actively involved in civic engagement and nonprofit community service. Her experience focuses on career development, skills training, job search strategies, and assisting individuals transitioning from military to civilian and those returning from incarceration. She advocates for equal access to quality education for all children. She also works to eliminate veteran homelessness and serves on the social outreach committee of The Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary. Eurydice is a member of the Board of Old Algiers Main Street Corporation and has contributed to the development of the #EquityRising program. Her favorite quote, by President John F. Kennedy, reflects her belief in the power of individual action to make a difference.
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Loré Coleman-Helton is an educator with seven years of experience focusing on special education. Working alongside parents and communities throughout the city of New Orleans, Loré is a powerful force in the workplace and her community. She is also a creative website and graphic designer. Raised in the lower ninth ward, she is a native of New Orleans and attended St. Peter Claver Elementary, Xavier Prep, East Jefferson High, and Tulane University. A believer in being a transitional leader, she is proactive in contributing to improving the city of New Orleans focusing on the needs of children. Loré was featured in Tulane’s University’s newsletter on receiving her masters in science health wellness management along with an announcement of her engagement. She recently married her best friend on May 27, 2023. Loré is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. in which she and her sisters support the Greater New Orleans area through service, scholarship, and sisterhood.
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Tyra Edmond (she/her/hers) is an experienced financial professional who thrives as an accomplice in social and racial justice to achieve lasting and far-reaching change. Tyra takes a social science approach to finance and accounting that connects her experience working in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors, her education, and her NOLA born relationship-building centered personality.
Tyra is currently a nonprofit VP of Finance and is pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA). She holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Business Administration and is passionate about building community and sits on boards and committees that celebrate intersectionality and joyful movement as it relates to social and racial justice. |
Kelsey Foster is the executive director of the Algiers Economic Development Foundation. Her career has focused on civic engagement, public finance, and economic policy. Ms. Foster worked as a staff member of the Committee for a Better New Orleans from 2013 to 2019 where she led the organization’s municipal budgeting program and previously worked as the communications coordinator for the New Orleans Coalition on Open Governance. She holds a bachelor's degree in print and multimedia journalism from Emerson College, a Masters of Public Service from the Clinton School of Public Service at the University of Arkansas, a degree in Cross Sector Collaboration from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government's Executive Education program and a professional certificate in public finance from the University of Chicago. Foster is a resident of Algiers Point and serves as the Past-President of the Algiers Point Association, an At-Large board member of Old Algiers Main Street, board member for the University of Holy Cross Business School and Vice President of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-West Board of Commissioners. She is a graduate of the Bryan Bell Metropolitan Leadership Forum, New Leaders Council, Delta Leadership Institute, and the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute.
Sgt. Jason W. Hill (retired) has had a distinguished career in the United States Army and has made significant contributions to the Junior Reserve Training Program (JROTC). After Hurricane Katrina, he restarted the JROTC program at Joseph S. Clark High School in 2006 and assisted in the transition to Joseph S. Clark Preparatory School in 2011. Throughout his military service, Sgt. Hill served in various divisions and completed numerous courses and training programs. He retired from the Army in 2000 and began teaching JROTC in Chicago before returning to New Orleans to provide security for Entergy after Hurricane Katrina. Sgt. Hill has received several awards and decorations for his service, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Army Achievement Medal and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Workforce, Education and Development from Southern Illinois University. He taught Special Education teacher at South Plaquemines High School from 2015 until his retirement in 2023.
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Kevin Kellup is a Neighborhood Liaison for the Mayor’s Neighborhood Engagement Office in the City of New Orleans where his focus area is Council District B, Kevin helped implement the Community Impact Grant Program in 2021 which granted over $15,000 of direct investment to neighborhood associations across the City of New Orleans to support ongoing neighborhood beautification and green infrastructure projects. Kevin is pursuing a B.S. in Business Management with a certification in Geoscience and Stormwater Management at Dillard University. He previously worked in informal education as an Education Coordinator with the Energy Smart for Kids School Kits Education Program, a program developed by the New Orleans City Council and administered by Entergy New Orleans and the Entergy Solutions School Kits Education Program, where he educated more than 20,000 students about energy and energy efficiency across the state of Louisiana. Kevin is resolute in his efforts to provide effective engagement opportunities for New Orleans residents through strategic leadership and engagement best practices. Kevin also has a background in national service with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps serving the pacific region of the United States. Kevin was selected as a program ambassador for the AmeriCorps NCCC 25-year anniversary celebration in San Francisco, California.
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Karri Maggio, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, joined the board of Old Algiers Main Street Corporation in 2006. Originally born and raised in southcentral Kentucky, Karri and her husband made their home in Algiers Point in 2003. Karri is a 1996 graduate of the Tulane University School of Architecture where she was a Dean’s Honor Scholar and member of Tau Sigma Delta. She has worked in the field of architecture for over 25 years, and currently serves as the Director of Operations at Perez, a multi-discipline firm providing architecture, interior design, landscape architecture and real estate development services through the US and overseas. Throughout her tenure at Perez, she has overseen design and construction of a myriad of project types across the US, including multi-family housing and K-12 schools.
In her service on the board of Old Algiers Main Street, she has advocated for equitable economic development and culture preservation in the frequently overlooked New Orleans neighborhood on the west bank of the Mississippi River, where she has made her home. |
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Erik Paskewich, a native Algerine, is the Director of Entrepreneurship at Propeller. Erik attended Tulane University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Management in 2013, as well as Loyola University of New Orleans, where he earned a Master of Business Administration in 2016. Prior to joining Propeller, Erik served with social impact focused organizations such as Youth Rebuilding New Orleans and Liberty's Kitchen. A passion for Algiers, its history, and its people led Erik to join the board of Old Algiers Main Street Corporation. Erik is excited to use his experience to build a stronger Algiers!
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Committees are aligned with the National Main Street Four-Point Approach and include Economic Development, Design, Promotion and Membership. Non-board members are welcome to become committee members. Contact [email protected] if you are interested in serving.