Cultivating Connections

Local community organizer and professional musician Luther Gray shares his love of Huntington Park

Pictured is community activist and musician Luther Gray with his grandson, August Gray Winchester. He and his family have enjoyed life in the Huntington Park neighborhood since 1994. Gray is a strong supporter of the arts and community development in the area. | Photo by Cheryl Gerber

As Cultural and Community Programs Coordinator at Ashé Cultural Arts Center, creating partnerships that support community development is important to Luther Gray. In fact, having a strong sense of community is what seems to drive this involved resident of Huntington Park. In addition to his work at Ashé, he is involved in many New Orleans community organizations.

He is the founder and board president of the Congo Square Preservation Society, an organization that works to resurrect and continue the activities, advocacy and preservation of the historic Congo Square. With his leadership, the organization was successful in placing Congo Square on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. And another fun fact? Gray, along with a team of drum makers, carved three bamboula drums from a 100-year-old cypress tree that are now on display at the Louisiana State Museum
of History in Baton Rouge.

Gray also is the founder and band leader of Bamboula 2000, a ground-breaking musical and dance experience rooted in Congo Square that is now celebrating its 25th anniversary with the release of its sixth full length CD, “Cuba to Congo Square.” The group has won the prestigious Big Easy Award for Best World Music group three times out of the eight it has been nominated. In addition, Bamboula 2000 annually teaches approximately 5,000 students around the country through its Imagination Tour dance and drum workshops.

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Gray, who was born in Chicago, moved to New Orleans in 1982 to work with South Central Bell–AT&T. He and his wife, Norwatha Monconduit, their daughter Issa, and two sons, Jamon and Jalen, moved into the Huntington Park neighborhood in 1994. Today, his wife — and his children, no doubt following in their father’s footsteps — enjoy successful careers. His wife works as a speech therapist with Orleans Parish Schools; Issa (a graduate of Xavier University Preparatory School and Southern University) is a flight attendant with Southwest Airlines; Jamon (a graduate of Brother Martin High School and Dillard University) is employed at IBM; and Jalen (a graduate of Brother Martin High School and Loyola University) is in sales at Sneaker Politics.

According to Gray, he and his family love living in Huntington Park.

“Our street is a cul de sac of nice homes and wonderful neighbors,” he said. “Huntington Park also has a great community pool for residents. Also, the value of our home has grown nicely over the last 25 years.”

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The neighborhood, which is located just one block from St. Maria Goretti Church, and only three blocks from the Interstate, is quiet, stable and has minimal challenges, Gray said.

“We know all of our neighbors on our street and help each other in times of need,” he said. “The Huntington Park Homeowners Association also organizes an annual Christmas decoration contest that creates a beautiful atmosphere during the holiday season.”

Since Hurricane Katrina, when New Orleans East faced numerous hardships, every home on the Gray’s block has been renovated, helping the area on its journey to complete revitalization.

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“The majority of homeowners who lived here before the hurricane have returned,” Gray said.

And lucky for them, they have a neighbor who cares deeply about the local community, its residents, and the arts and music that are so integral to the spirit of New Orleans.

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