NOCCA Alum Named Louisianaian of the Year
Photo of L. Kasimu Harris by Abdul Aziz for William + James
Kasimu Harris is Named a Louisianaian of the Year
This week, L. Kasimu Harris will have a lot to celebrate during Louisiana Life Magazine’s Baton Rouge Bicentennial Birthday Bash, where he’ll be among the eight people honored as Louisianaians of the Year. The event is on Wednesday, April 12 at the Louisiana Old Governor’s Mansion in Baton Rouge and features appearances by Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome.
Harris, a New Orleans based storyteller, received the honor for his contributions in arts and culture. The other 2017 Louisianians of the Year, are Rob Gaudet, community service; Chef Hardette Harris, cuisine; Andrea Normand, medical; Kelly Stomps, education; C.C. Lockwood, conservation; Dr. Larry Hollier, public health and Coach Ed Orgeron, sports.
Since its inception in 2012, Louisianians of the Year have been chosen by the magazine’s editorial staff. They maintain a diverse list of people throughout the state and across a variety of professions and sectors, both public and private. After several rounds of elimination, where the editors consider talent, professional accomplishments and philanthropy, as well as regional, statewide and national impact or influence, the list is set at eight individuals who represent what’s best about Louisiana.
An editor at Louisiana Life became of Harris, from his inclusion in the Louisiana Contemporary exhibition at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in 2015. His name was on the list from the beginning of the process and the more the editors learned about Harris, the longer he stayed in the running.
“It was clear the artist and journalist was having an impact far beyond New Orleans or Louisiana and was bringing a brand of art married with social commentary to the national stage, reminiscent of the work of Gordon Parks,” Melanie Warner Spencer, editor of Louisiana Life, said.
Harris is also the assistant director of communication at Dillard University and has written for a plethora of publications including Oxford American, Thrillist and a feature he wrote for Edible New Orleans was included in the book, Best Food Writing 2016. Last year, he was in group exhibitions in New Orleans, San Francisco and Brighton (United Kingdom.) Currently, he’s in the Dandy Lion photography exhibition at the Lowes Art Museum in Miami.
Spencer said: “Clearly on the rise and defying a tidy label of simply artist or writer, Harris’ successes in 2016, including a New York exhibition debut, as well as journalism endeavors contributed to his inclusion in this year’s group of Louisianians of the Year.”