DDD Honors Downtown All-Stars

The DDD would like to thank you for congratulating the honorees celebrated at this year’s Downtown NOLA Awards for their exceptional contributions to the progress of Downtown New Orleans. The ceremony was Friday, September 28 at The Jung Hotel & Residences located in Downtown NOLA at 1500 Canal St.

Thank you for helping us shine a light on those who help make Downtown a remarkable experience!

We would also like to thank L. Lee Hamm, M.D. Senior Vice President and Dean of Tulane’s School of Medicine, for being our guest speaker.

Check out highlights of this year’s show!

Honorees:

Auction House Market

The Auction House Market, located on the corner of Magazine and Julia Streets, has been redeveloped into an 8800 square foot, modern, multi-vendor food hall. The sleek design includes marble countertops and brass fixtures throughout the wide-open space and a bar in the middle. The food hall maintains the integrity of the historic building and includes white oak flooring, beadboard ceilings and exposed brick. The Market offers an inviting, creative environment for Downtown residents, workers and visitors to gather.

InnoGenomics / Dr. Sudhir Sinha

InnoGenomics’ patented technology enables forensic scientists to unlock answers from the most challenging DNA evidence which helps solve crimes and save lives. They are also developing a liquid biopsy method to detect and monitor cancer through a minimally invasive blood test. With over 36 years of experience in chemical and biochemical research and management, Dr. Sinha is well-recognized in the international scientific community, and a mainstay of the high-tech life science entrepreneurial community in New Orleans. Dr. Sinha serves as an experienced mentor and tremendous resource for newer life science entrepreneurs emerging in New Orleans, and InnoGenomics is an exemplary example of a successful high-tech small business founded and growing in Downtown NOLA.

Little Gem Saloon

The Little Gem Saloon is an historic Jazz Club which first opened in 1903 and has been linked to the great Louis Armstrong, among other jazz legends. The multi-level restaurant, bar and performance areas provide a creative environment for musicians and patrons to collaborate and network, while the renovations the saloon underwent do an incredible job of maintaining the architectural character and original design of the building. The Little Gem Saloon is preserving the history of jazz in New Orleans, while promoting Downtown as a world-class destination for great food, great music, and great people.

New Orleans Public Library

The New Orleans Public Library recently undertook a thorough renovation of the first two floors, replacing worn linoleum with bright flooring, lowering shelves to bring in light, and expanding seating for patrons. The Main Library is now a clean and welcoming place for locals checking out books or seeking computer help, as well as visitors who are researching genealogy at the Louisiana Collection and City of New Orleans Archives. The Library is also making significant strides in their programming. Thanks to a partnership with Best Buy, a Teen Tech lab is available on the 2nd floor. Other programming includes: One-on-One Computer Tutoring, Adult Literacy Classes, Summertime Free Food for Youth, Baby & Toddler Story Times, Community Arts & Literacy Workshops, Silk-screening, Notary Public Services and much more.

Stella Jones Gallery

For over two decades, Stella Jones Gallery has played a pivotal role in highlighting the historical relevance of Black Art. Stella Jones, a black female owner, considers the gallery a “unicorn in the art gallery market,” showcasing local artists of color in a Downtown venue. Stella Jones Gallery has remained committed from the beginning to educating collectors, museums and the community on the political, social and economic impact of Black Artists and their art work, and has become an important vehicle by which the black perspective is continuously presented.

Chair’s Award – Blue Bikes NOLA

Blue Bikes is the New Orleans bike share program made possible through a partnership with the City of New Orleans, Social Bicycles, and title sponsor Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana. Their goal is to provide a seamless, sustainable, and affordable mode of transportation, and is designed to serve a wide range of residents and neighborhoods to provide year-round, equitable access to worksites and destinations.

 

Check out highlights from last year’s Awards below!

________________________________________________________________________________________________________