Civic / Sip: Candid Conversations Over Coffee

Civic/SIP Event

If you are receiving this invitation, I consider you to be a trusted leader and truth-teller in New Orleans’ Black professional community—someone whose perspective can sharpen the questions and elevate the conversation we’re convening.

Maroon is assembling a small circle of Black professionals across industries—Gen X and Millennial leaders, builders, and problem-solvers—to anchor CivicSip, Maroon’s nonpartisan, issue-driven fireside chat series with candidates for Mayor and Council At-Large.

What makes this room different?

Because the questions we ask—and the lens we bring—are different. CivicSip is not a rally and not about changing anyone’s mind. It’s about clarity: hearing plans, testing assumptions, and making sure the next administration understands what our communities and businesses actually need.

Format: (Tuesdays, Maroon Workspace - Although we may schedule a few on other days based on availability)

• 8:00–8:30 AM — Light bites, coffee, and networking
• 8:30–9:30 AM — One-hour, moderated fireside chat + audience Q&A
• 9:30-10:00 AM — Debrief (just us, no candidates)

Location: Maroon Workspace, 1208 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130

Recorded and recaps will be shared on Maroon’s social channels

Confirmed Guests:

• Tuesday, September 2 – State Rep. Delisha Boyd (At-Large)
• Tuesday, September 9 – LA State Senator Royce Duplessis
• Tuesday, September 23 – Councilmember Oliver Thomas (At-Large)
• Tuesday, September 30 – State Rep. Matthew Willard (At-Large)
• Tuesday, October 7 – Councilmember JP Morrell (At-Large)

✨ Pending: Councilmember Helena Moreno and Pastor Gregory Manning (dates TBA).

What we’ll cover (examples):

• Housing & neighborhood stability (affordability, blight, permitting)
• Small business & procurement (access to capital, contracts, red-tape)
• Public safety & quality of life (evidence-based strategies, accountability)
• Infrastructure & mobility (streets, drainage, transit that works)
• The talent pipeline (good jobs, youth pathways, retaining Black talent)

We’ll circulate a final question set five (5) days before each session and will include prioritized questions from this invitee group.

RSVP & Seating

Space is limited to keep the conversation tight. Please RSVP for the date(s) you will attend. Thank you for lending your voice and perspective. The goal isn’t consensus—it’s candor, substance, and a clear record of where each candidate stands.