Loyce Pierce Wright

Treasurer

The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation

Whether the issue is civil rights, women’s rights, quality education or accessible, affordable healthcare, Loyce Pierce Wright is committed to taking on the challenge.”  Loyce Pierce Wright received her Bachelor of Science degree from Southern University in Baton Rouge, majoring in French and Spanish Education. She received her Master’s degree from the University of New Orleans with a concentration in Educational Administration and Supervision and Urban Affairs.“A Champion of the Common Good”, Mrs. Wright has served as the Executive Director of the Louisiana Commission on Human Rights in the Office of the Governor for fourteen years.

She has the distinction of having been appointed by three Governors: Mike Foster, Kathleen Babineaux Blanco and Bobby Jindal. In her capacity as executive director, she is responsible for enforcing the state’s anti-discrimination laws in employment, banking and lending practices and public accommodations. She renders the final determination on complaints of discrimination filed with the Commission based on race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, pregnancy and disability.In addition to her professional responsibilities, she is actively engaged in rebuilding the YWCA of New Orleans, which was destroyed by hurricane Katrina, a nearly 100 year old institution whose mission is eliminating racism and empowering women.

As President of the Board of Directors, Mrs. Wright is at the helm of the rebuilding effort and spends a good deal of time negotiating with FEMA and navigating through the FEMA regulations to obtain funding to rebuild the physical structure, estimated to cost nearly 4 million dollars. She has issued a Clarion Call for help to raise the more than $600,000 gap needed to fully fund the construction of the new building. Yet, she is not daunted by the task, because she knows that in present day New Orleans, the hallmark programs of the YWCA which include daycare, domestic violence, and education initiatives are needed more than ever before and are necessary to supporting women and girls seeking to rebuild and restore their lives.

Mrs. Wright also holds leadership positions on several boards and commissions. She serves as a board member of the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board, the Louisiana Civil Rights Museum Advisory Board, The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation, the Urban League Guild, AAWPP, and Centene Health Policy Advisory Council of Louisiana. She is a Diamond Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and a member of the Crescent City Chapter of The Links, Inc.Mrs. Wright has received many awards and honors, including SCLC Rosa Parks Award, N.O. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major for Justice Award, N.O. Martin Luther King., Jr. Federal Holiday Commission Torch Bearer’ Award, Mayor’s Appreciation and Merit Awards, The United Way Outstanding Service Award, YWCA Role Model Award, Sigma Gamma Rho Exemplary Community Service Award, the City of Yonkers Commission on Human Rights Humanitarian Award, and the Order of St. Louis IX Medallion. She is listed in Who’s Who in Government and Who’s Who in Black America.

While public service, community and civic work provide an opportunity to be of service, which is her desire, it is time spent with her family and working with her church, which gives her the greatest joy. She is the treasurer of the St. Raymond community Development Corporation and a lector at the St. Raymond/St. Leo the Great Catholic Church. Mrs. Wright is the widow of Louis Clifton Wright, Jr. and the mother of Dr. Kiana Wright. Her motto is “There are Blessings in the midst of the storm and God is...

Rodney C. Braxton

Parliamentarian

The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation   

Mr. Rodney C. Braxton, Esq. holds a leadership position on the Board of The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation as Parliamentarian. Serving as president of Southern Strategy Group’s Louisiana office, Rodney Braxton brings the highest levels of public service to the firm. As Assistant Chief of Staff to former Governor Murphy J. “Mike” Foster, Rodney supervised transportation, insurance, and labor issues.

Rodney also served as Associate Commissioner of Governmental Relations for the Louisiana Board of Regents, the state’s top higher education board.Rodney served as the first Executive Director of the Louisiana Commission on Human Rights and, in 1994, was named one of thirty Leaders of the Future by Ebony Magazine.

An active member of many community and civic organizations, Rodney is involved with Of Moving Colors Productions, Serve! Baton Rouge, and Young Leaders Academy.  

A native of Louisiana and practicing attorney since 1992, Rodney holds a B.S. in Finance from the University of New Orleans and his J.D. from Tulane University Law School where he received a Merit Scholarship and was a quarterfinalist in the 1992 Frederick Douglas Moot Court Competition.

Pamela D. Lyles

Secretary

The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation

Pamela D. Lyles is the author of Da Cajn Critter: The Lifestyles, The Rules, andMakin’ Groceries. A certified product of Louisiana, and winner of the 2008 “Best Books” at the USA Book News Awards in the Home Entertaining category. She’s been cooking and creating tasty, soulful food in the kitchen since she was a little girl. Pamela has appeared on numerous television and radio shows. Her work has been featured in Times Picayune, Louisiana Cookin’ Magazine, New Orleans Homes and Lifestyle Magazine, and www.MyNewOrleans.com. She has appeared at numerous events, including: The Doobie Brothers Charity Concert, Louisiana Road Food Show, State of Louisiana Book Fair, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Fest, Southern Food and Beverage Museum, Louisiana Office of Tourism’s Trade Luncheon, NFL’s Europe Game (Saints vs. Chargers), and at the Preservation Resource Center’s Holiday Home Tour Marketplace. 

Pamela has over a quarter-century of experience in executive sales and marketing management for a number of cosmetics and fragrance companies, including The Elizabeth Arden Company, Yves St Laurent International, and Charles of the Ritz Cosmetics. She was selected as one the original twelve member marketing and sales team that worked with Elizabeth Taylor in the development and launch of Miss Taylor’s fragrance collection, including Passion, Passion for Men, and White Diamonds. She traveled with Elizabeth Taylor for 5 years. When the company merged with the Elizabeth Arden Corporation, Pamela became the Regional Sales Manager, Southwest Region for 18 fragrance brands as well as headed up corporate J.C.Penneys, Sears, Dillard’s, May Corporate, and Wal-Mart. After leaving Elizabeth Arden, she became Field Sales Manager, Western United States with the Princess Marcella Borghese / Halston / Nautica Fragrance and Cosmetics Brand Corporation. Pamela’s career began as a buyer for the former Foley’s Department Stores in Houston, Texas.Pamela is very active in the New Orleans community.

She has volunteered at Touro Hospital and served on the Touro Hospital Auxiliary Board; Temple Sinai Sisterhood; and her high school, Isidore Newman School, Alumni Board. For the past 18 years she has served the Greater New Orleans Section of National Council of Jewish Women and previously held the position of President; Vice-President ,Fundraising; Vice-President, Administration; and Executive Vice-President . She served on the New Orleans Saints Executive Fan Board (1 of 5 women selected) for 6 years. Pamela also volunteered at NBC-TV affiliate WDSU to help resolve consumer complaints for “6 On Your Side.” Pamela was a participant in the New Orleans Metropolitan Leadership Forum.

Pamela has been recognized in Who’s Who Among American Women. She received the Emerging Leader’s Award from National Council of Jewish Women. She was named Manager of the Year with the Charles of the Ritz Group.  Pamela is an active participant in the Blessed 26 Foundation based in New Orleans.She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration , Majoring in Marketing from The University of Texas, Austin. Pamela presently resides in New Orleans, Louisiana with her husband. She and her husband have two children.