Board Member Spotlight

Dr. Nicole Moncrief

As someone who grew up in what is now the Nellie Lutcher Cultural District, what does it mean to champion and invest in the same community that helped shape you? 

Growing up in what is now the Nellie Lutcher Cultural District makes my connection to this community deeply personal. It means a great deal to be able to invest in and champion the same neighborhood that helped shape who I am today.

Over the years, I have had the privilege of supporting initiatives that have contributed to the district's growth and revitalization. One project that stands out is the Better Block initiative on Enterprise Boulevard, where I worked  other volunteers with the Community Foundation and other community partners to envision what was possible for the area. I vividly remember helping imagine spaces where families could gather and children could play. Today, seeing the Nellie Lutcher Pocket Park come to life is incredibly rewarding.

There is something special about visiting the park, listening to live music, and spending time with neighbors and friends I grew up with. It serves as a reminder that when a community comes together with a shared vision, meaningful change can happen.

What makes this experience even more meaningful is that many of these projects, including the Nellie Lutcher Pocket Park and the Mardi Gras Museum, were once ideas on a wish list during the Just Imagine SWLA planning process. To see those dreams become reality is both inspiring and gratifying.

This is one of the many reasons I enjoy being involved with the Community Foundation. It allows me to be part of creating opportunities, preserving culture, and investing in a community that has given so much to me. Being able to help shape a brighter future for the place that helped shape my own future is truly a blessing.

You often encourage friends, colleagues, and others to get involved and be engaged in things that matter to them. Why are representation and participation in community leadership so important to you?

Representation and participation in community leadership are important to me because I firmly believe that to whom much is given, much is required. I have been blessed beyond measure throughout my life and career, and I believe those blessings come with a responsibility to serve others and help create opportunities for those who may not have the same advantages.

I often encourage friends, colleagues, and especially young professionals to get involved in causes that matter to them. I frequently ask them, "What are you doing to give back?" because I believe there is tremendous value and fulfillment in serving others. Every person has gifts, talents, and resources that can make a difference in someone's life, and our communities are stronger when more people choose to contribute rather than simply consume.

Representation matters because communities benefit when people from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives have a seat at the table. Participation matters because meaningful change happens when people move from caring about an issue to actively doing something about it. We cannot expect others to solve every challenge facing our communities; we each have a role to play.

One of my favorite ways to serve is volunteering with Second Harvest's Makin' Groceries Mobile Market. While organizations appreciate volunteers, what stays with me are the people we serve every day, the families, seniors, and individuals who are experiencing food insecurity and simply need a helping hand. Those experiences remind me why community engagement matters and why our support is so critical.

I am also passionate about supporting organizations like the Community Foundation and Second Harvest because I have seen firsthand the impact they make. Whether through volunteering, making donations, or utilizing employer matching gift programs, there are so many ways for people to get involved. These organizations are able to transform lives because individuals choose to invest their time, talents, and resources.

For me, community leadership is not about recognition; it's about stewardship. It is about showing gratitude for what I have been given by helping create opportunities and a brighter future for others.

Outside of your professional career, what are the kinds of moments, experiences, or acts of service that fill your cup the most these days?

Outside of my professional career, the things that fill my cup the most are spending quality time with my family and exploring the world through travel. Some of my most cherished memories have been created while experiencing new cultures, meeting people from different backgrounds, and sharing those adventures with the people I love. 

Travel has become more than a personal passion, it has also become a way for me to serve and inspire others. I especially enjoy visiting elementary schools to read my children's book, Nikki and Nisa's Travel Adventure (South Africa). Through the book and the travel curriculum I teach, I have the opportunity to introduce children to new places, cultures, and possibilities they may have never considered before.

One of my favorite moments is watching a child's eyes light up as they learn about another country or discover what it takes to travel internationally. I love teaching them practical lessons about passports, geography, culture, and the importance of being curious about the world around them. Helping young people expand their horizons and realize that the world is full of opportunities brings me tremendous joy.

Whether I'm spending time with family, traveling, or encouraging children to dream beyond their current surroundings, those experiences leave me feeling energized, fulfilled, and grateful.