Ebony Starks 

Vice President Of Place-Based Programs, Huey And Angelina Wilson Foundation

Ebony Starks joined the Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation in March 2022, where she serves as the Vice President of Place-Based programs. She brings with her over 15 years of experience in nonprofit management, fundraising and philanthropy. She is a vocal advocate who works to identify the resources needed for families and communities to thrive.

Her career has garnered a unique blend of experience in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Previously, Ebony served as the Southeast Regional Director of Development for the global education nonprofit Facing History and Ourselves. Prior to that role, she served as the Executive Director of the Gwinnett Technical College Foundation, leading institutional advancement efforts and garnering support for students and programs.

A native of Colorado, Ebony earned her BA in Political Science from Howard University and an MS in Urban Policy Studies from Georgia State University. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and is passionate about social justice and economic empowerment.

Why did you join the CPEX board? 

I have had the opportunity to not only support CPEX's planning work as a funder, but also to work alongside CPEX staff in the community. I understand the unique and critical role the organization plays in planning and resiliency efforts statewide and am happy to support their work in a more holistic way.

Why is the work that CPEX does so important?

CPEX fills an ever-growing gap that exists between the governmental, nonprofit, and private sectors. The idea that communities can be both healthy and prosperous is at the heart of CPEX's work.

What CPEX project are you most proud of?

I'm most proud of the work CPEX has done in North Baton Rouge, specifically working with Southern University on its master plan and providing focused outreach to help residents most in need take advantage of state weatherization resources.

What changes would you like to see in your community in the next five years?

I would like to see my community establish coordinated planning efforts at the city parish level to make Baton Rouge an even greater place to live!

Spring Gaines

POLICY ASSOCIATE

In her role as Policy Associate, Spring is assisting CPEX in developing and supporting policy initiatives designed to help Louisiana plan for a climate-resilient energy future that drives equity and economic opportunity in our state.

A native of St. Bernard, LA, Spring obtained her B.S. in Marine Biology from Nicholls State University and earned her J.D. and LL.M. in Environmental Law from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. Her professional and academic experiences have culminated in strong expertise in marine science, marine education, and environmental and animal policy. Spring has worked with organizations such as Center for Biological Diversity, Animal Legal Defense Fund, and American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Before joining CPEX, she served as a 2022 Sea Grant John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellow. In her role as a Fellow, she worked in the office of Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) as her Animal, Environment, and Clean Energy Legislative Assistant. In this capacity, she worked with developers, terminal operators, non-governmental groups, and federal and state legislators to advance offshore wind efforts in the Northeastern Atlantic, including introducing offshore wind related federal legislation in the House of Representatives.

In her spare moments, Spring volunteers for projects like beach clean-ups and tree plantings, explores museums and libraries, and participates in game nights with her twin sister and close friends. While in D.C., she checked off a bucket list goal of taking a nap in the Library of Congress.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR CPEX?

I’ve been with CPEX for a little over a year now.

HOW DOES YOUR JOB FIT INTO THE CPEX MISSION?

CPEX is unique as an organization that works on the state level to deliver long-range, innovative planning and policy solutions. My work centers on the policy side in formulating initiatives geared toward building resilient and thriving communities across the state.

WHAT DOES YOUR JOB ENTAIL? 

In my capacity as the Policy Associate, my responsibilities lie in directing the creation of new policies and initiatives designed to help Louisiana plan for a climate-resilient energy future that drives equity and economic opportunity in our state. I identify and nurture relationships with partners, ally organizations, and policymakers and draft legislative and/or regulatory briefings, public comments, fact sheets, support letters, and other tools to educate policymakers and the public on issues relevant to CPEX’s mission..

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?

I like being able to utilize my experience working in federal government and national level nonprofits to strategically think about how to bring Louisiana into the spotlight as a leader in our frontline fight for our communities to become sustainable in a changing world.

WHAT IS THE BEST CAREER LESSON YOU’VE LEARNED SO FAR?

To create good policy, you need the voices of a deep and diverse set of community leaders and change makers. Community engagement is what policymakers need to make informed decisions to address the issues affecting the well-being of local communities.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO WHEN YOU AREN’T WORKING?

I’ve always led a life of service. I jump at opportunities to volunteer for projects like beach clean-ups and tree plantings. I also love exploring museums and libraries and participating in game nights with my twin sister and close friends.

WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR WHAT PLANNING CAN ACCOMPLISH IN LOUISIANA? 

The power of planning helps our communities be proactive about seizing their future to make solid and resilient communities. By bringing together audiences such as planning experts, elected officials, and community and cultural leaders, we can develop long-range, innovative planning and policy efforts that address how to solidify our foundations as a state.

IF THERE WAS A NEWS STORY ABOUT YOU, WHAT WOULD BE THE HEADLINE?

Policy creator refuses to be a Silent Spring.

THREE WORDS TO BEST DESCRIBE YOU:

Honest, Driven, Eloquent. 

Abbeville Demonstration Project

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

As a component of the city's Walk Action Plan aimed at boosting pedestrian activity in the downtown district, Mayor Roslyn White sought to leverage the impending Road Transfer Project. This initiative involved reclassifying the highway traversing the historic downtown into a locally-owned road, granting greater jurisdiction to the municipal authorities over its design. Mayor White enlisted the help of CPEX to visualize the potential of the roadway and develop a concept for a month-long demonstration project with the goal to gather input and data that would influence future roadway design. The demonstration project was a road diet that transitioned from a two-lane configuration to a single lane, incorporating various traffic calming measures across a half-mile stretch of roadway.

PROJECT GOAL:

The overarching goal of the project was to not only slow down vehicular traffic but also to enhance safety for all users, thereby fostering a more pedestrian-friendly environment and promoting walkability within the downtown area. By reducing the number of lanes from two to one and incorporating traffic calming elements, the project aimed to create a streetscape that encouraged drivers to travel at safer speeds. These modifications were intended to increase visibility for pedestrians and cyclists, making it easier and safer for them to navigate the streets - creating a more inviting and secure urban environment, where residents and visitors alike could comfortably engage in walking and other forms of active transportation.

WHY IS THIS PROJECT SO IMPORTANT? 

This demonstration was so important because it provided the community with a chance to directly experience and test the components of the road diet using temporary materials. This trial occurred before finalizing the road design for the milling and overlay project. Various elements were tested, revealing successes and shortcomings, so the City could adapt the design based on valuable input gathered from the community.

WHAT WAS CPEX’S FAVORITE PART OF THIS PROJECT?

Our favorite part of this project was the robust community engagement that took place during throughout the demonstration. With over 150 attendees participating across two community open houses and 306 online surveys submitted, we received a wealth of diverse opinions and viewpoints. This abundance of feedback provided us with a broad spectrum of perspectives to consider in our final recommendations to the city.

WHAT HAS CPEX LEARNED WHILE WORKING ON THIS PROJECT?

Through this project, we gained insight into the transformative power of clear communication with the community, which significantly influenced public perception of this type of work. This included effectively conveying the reasons behind our initiatives, outlining the funding mechanisms, and articulating the potential benefits of implementing the demonstration's components with permanent materials.