FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Crescent City Community Land Trust Announces New Board Members:
Integrating community and residents perspective
NEW ORLEANS — Crescent City Community Land Trust (CCCLT) announces three new board of directors members, Wendy Washington, Scott Darrah and Tùng Bach Lý. The board represents the people and organizations served by CCCLT and oversees the land trust, which develops high quality affordable housing and commercial spaces in New Orleans coupled with stewardship, all to promote community stability, mitigate displacement, ensure permanent affordability and preserve the culture of New Orleans.
CCCLT’s Executive Director Julius E. Kimbrough Jr. points out that the new members are reflective of the various communities and interests that CCCLT serves.
“Our largest project to date is the co-development of the historic Pythian building in downtown New Orleans that features 25 permanently affordable apartments, 44 market rate apartments and three floors of commercial space” Kimbrough says. “Wendy Washington and Scott Darrah both live there. Tùng Bach Lý is a new New Orleanian committed to strengthening his Mid-City neighborhood within the Livable Claiborne Communities – CCCLT’s service area. All three will all give our board fresh perspective that is vital to CCCLT’s ongoing efforts and future endeavors.”
Incorporating land trust residents and property users into the board is part of the traditional community land trust model, because it’s critical to not only hear from residents and users but to also make them part of the decision-making process.
“These are the people that we serve,” Kimbrough says. “Their representation and input will be invaluable.”
Wendy Washington is an adjunct professor in sociology at Delgado Community College and Borough of Manhattan Community College. She worked for many years in the entertainment industry and also had a career in government. She holds master’s degree in sociology from the University of New Orleans, and is currently a PhD student candidate at The New School in Manhattan, New York.
Tùng Bach Lý studied biomedical engineering at Tulane University, and worked for Louisiana Public Health Institute, developing a patient-centered medical home model. Currently, he serves as the City of New Orleans Web Manager, enabling municipal government to develop digital products and services. He is also on the board of directors for VAYLA New Orleans, Arts Council New Orleans, and Mid-City Security District.
Scott Darrah is the owner of Access Claims and Insurance Services, which provides commercial and industrial loss and risk consulting for various insurance operations. For several years, he worked as a community development director and legislative director for the District D Office of the New Orleans, and was the founding president of the Gentilly Civic Improvement Association following Hurricane Katrina. Very recently, Scott launched the Freaky Frittata pop-up restaurant in the Pythian Market food hall to rave reviews.