Key Board Members

Wendell Pierce, President

With solid credits in film, television, theater and on stage, actor, Wendell Pierce, is truly a modern-day renaissance man.  He does it all.  A New Orleans native whose skill and passion for the arts has taken him near and far, and allowed him to be recognized both nationally and internationally for his work, Wendell's heart has never really left his home right here in the city where he grew up.  In the aftermath of the Hurricane Katrina disaster and the continued struggle to rebuild and revitalize New Orleans, Mr. Pierce has made a personal commitment to use his time, talent, treasury and celebrity to bring back his old neighborhood, Pontchartrain Park.  In this regard, his early yet significant efforts thus far were recently celebrated at the 51st Annual Weiss Awards event, sponsored by the New Orleans Council for Community and Justice.

Wendell was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he began his training as an actor at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts.  Inspired by the Free Southern Theater, a touring company that thrived during the Civil Rights movement, he worked with many local companies in theather and television.  Wendell appeared in The Winter's Tale at the Tulane Shakespeare Festival while producing and hosting Think About It, a youth-themed talk show, for the local NBC affiliate station.  Wendell also hosted a weekly jazz show on WYLD RADIO FM98 called Extensions from Congo Square. He ended his high school career as 1 of 20 Presidential Scholars in the Arts, receiving his medallion in a White House ceremony.  After leaving New Orleans, Wendell trained at the Juilliard School receiving his BFA in 1985. 

Mr. Pierce has worked with some of the most acclaimed directors in the industry.  Included in his vast filmography are roles in director, Taylor Hackford's critically acclaimed Ray; Bulworth, which was directed by Warren Beatty; Spike Lee's Get on the Bus and Malcolm X; Waiting to Exhale, which was directed by Forest Whitaker; Brian De Palma's Bonfire of the Vanities, and Sleepers, which was directed by Barry Levinson.  Other film credits include A Rage in Harlem, Fighting Temptations, It Could Happen to You, Bolden, I Think I Love My Wife and Stay Alive.

No stranger to television, Pierce recently starred opposite Queen Latifah in the critically acclaimed HBO movie, Life Support.  He stars as Det. William "Bunk" Moreland on the gritty HBO drama series, The Wire.  He has had regular and recurring roles on series such as The Gregory Hines Show, Third Watch, I'll Fly Away, 413 Hope Street, and The Weber Show.  He has guest starred on Numb3rs, Law and Order and many more. 

Edward Michael Morris, Treasurer

Mr. Morris currently serves as the General Counsel for the New Orleans Schools.  Mr. Morris holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Xavier University and a Juris Doctor from Tulane Law School.  Mr. Morris has extensive experience in corporate and government arenas. 

Mr. Morris has been very active in the community.  He has served on the Board of Advisors for the American Red Cross and on the Mayor's Committee on Economic Development for New Orleans.  His community projects include faith-based initiatives, economic development and job creation, and anti-drug initiatives.