Born August 10, 1933 in Hazelhurst, MS, James Singleton has been a dedicated member of the New Orleans community since his family’s arrival in 1948. It was during his senior year at Booker T. High School that Singleton met a young Dr. Norman Francis, establishing a bond that has lasted to this day.

After receiving a degree in mathematics from Southern University, Singleton furthered his studies at Xavier and Loyola Universities, the University of Oklahoma and the Army Logistics Management School and Command and General Staff College with the United States Army.

In 1958, after a brief active duty stint, Singleton came back to New Orleans to begin his teaching career in earnest, beginning with an eight-year term at Carter G. Woodson High School. While at Woodson, Singleton became involved in the Central City Community. It was during this time that Singleton began working with Total Community Action (TCA). He says there was a disconnect between the organization and the people it was supposed to serve. Mr. Singleton said he realized while working with organizations like TCA that every time they wanted to get something done they had to go to City Hall. “Eventually, I thought, why don’t I just stay down here and when we need something, I’ll already be here.” It was a simplistic view, but one that began a remarkable political career. In 1970, Mr. Singleton ended his career in education to begin a career in public service.He went on to run for City Council in 1978, where he served as Councilmember for District B from 1978 to 1994. In 1994, Jim was elected Councilmember-at-Large and served with distinction in that position until 2002.

Throughout his career, Jim has served in a variety of important positions in city government as well as in the community, including: Chairman of the Utilities Committee, Chairman of the Budget Committee, Chairman of the Sewerage and Water Board Drainage Committee, Chairman of the Central City EOC Board of Directors, Chairman, TCA Board of Directors and Chairman of the Dryades YMCA Board of Directors. The Dryades “Y” bestowed the supreme honor on Jim Singleton by naming their flagship school The James Singleton Charter School. Jim is also the Chairman of the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority’s Board of Commissioners. In this role Jim is overseeing the redevelopment of the city post Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Since retiring from politics, Jim continues his work in the community. His voice and wise counsel are constantly sought out to resolve disputes and to bring fairness and equity to situations involving the underserved and disenfranchised.

With more than 25 years of experience in education, esteemed educator Mary Haynes-Smith has led the charge of inspiring, developing, and enhancing the lives of New Orleans public school children.
Mrs. Smith’s educational path began in the New Orleans Public School System, where she eventually graduated from Joseph S. Clark High School. Her educational pursuits continued at Southern University of Baton Rouge where she obtained her bachelor’s degree, and later a Master’s Degree from the University of New Orleans.

Mrs. Smith did not begin her professional career in education. After graduating from college, she received a lucrative job at a large New York firm. Although she prospered in her job, she continued to long for home and her dream of working with children. Eventually the desire of being an educator and the beliefs her parents had implanted in her led her back to New Orleans. When she returned home she began to make this dream a reality with her first job as a 7th grade teacher at Behrman Elementary, in the city she loved so much.

Mrs. Smith was encouraged by a former supervisor to apply for her current position as a principal in an Orleans Parish Public School. Under her leadership as the principal, Stuart R. Bradley (pre-Katrina) made continuous academic growth. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina interrupted the city of New Orleans, the education system, and Mrs. Smith’s career. Quoted in the September 6th edition of the American School Board Journal, “Her take charge attitude served her well as she assembled employees strewn across the country and convinced them to return to uncertainty and lead them to reopen one of the city’s first district run schools post-Katrina, displaying her tenacity for perseverance.”

Mrs. Smith’s persistence and exceptional leadership abilities have turned challenges into opportunities and is replicated in magazines, newspapers and educational journals across the nation. She has received countless awards, has been the guest speaker in many public forums and conferences, and has been the expert that countless educators have called upon to identify as a great leader. Currently Mrs. Smith serves as principal of Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary, where she continues to make a difference in the lives of students, leaders, parents and the community.

Even though education is her first love, her world could not be complete without the love of her husband, Linton Smith, and her two sons Linton and Jared. In every aspect of Mrs. Smith’s life, the tree she planted continues to grow.