New Orleans in Motion Six Years Later

Six years ago after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the levees in New Orleans failed. Many areas of New Orleans have not completely moved on, but the city is in motion thanks to volunteers and many high profile boosters here in the Hollywood of the South.

There's the new Ellis Marsalis Center in Habitat for Humanity's Musicians Village, founded by Harry Connick, Jr. and Branford Marsalis. There is today's annual MSNBC-promoted Free Clinic. There's Make It Right, a sustainable neighborhood conceived by Brad Pitt and housing former 9th Ward residents. There's the Tim Robbins-supported Roots of Music marching band. The St. Bernard Project. Irvin Mayfield and Kermit Ruffin's week long trumpet throwdown for charities. Sandra Bullock's Warren Easton High School assistance. Instruments streaming in to the New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund. There's the Edible Schoolyard, and Global Green.

Sincere thanks to those around the country who made every one of the above efforts possible. I am confident that they will keep their hearts as open to Hurricane Irene flood victims as they were for New Orleans.