No, it wasn’t the Oscars. But when guests hit the red carpet in New Orleans for a private screening of two documentaries, the tone of the private event had all of the glitz, glamour and elegance reflective of a dazzling Hollywood premiere and awards show.
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| Richard Baptiste |
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| Yvette Crocker and Lisa Williamson |
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| Sherinell Allen |
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| Blanche Vaughn and Kendall Richardson |
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| Jordan and Joshua Hughes |
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| Debra and Ken Barthelemy |
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| Rodney and Janice Baptiste |
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| Talib and Natalie Abdulkhabir |
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| Desiree Mason and Lawren Mason |
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| Connie Jacobs |
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| From left: Keyiana Williams, Amanda Washington and Brandon Williams |
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| Tanya and Gary Evans |
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| Dana Kaplan |
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| Deidra Sampson |
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| Dedra Sampson |
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| Chelsia Hughes |
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| From left: Johnette Dillon, Mariah Dillon and Chelsia Hughes |
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| Veronica Burgos |
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| Merrell Merricks and Kelly Steed |
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| Robin and Stevie Jenkins |
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| Kevin Westhues and Les Meyers |
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| Ralph Vaughn and Kendall Richardson |
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| Trene Jenkins and Norman Stovall |
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| Jewel Doyle-Cozart |
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| Nedra Bell |
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| Nyoka Ormstead |
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| Donna Smith and Maniko Barthelemy |
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| Kayla Barthelemy |
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| Johnel Washington |
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| Colenz Breaux |
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| Natalie Moser |
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| Erin Terveer |
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| Robyn Stone |
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| From left: Maniko Barthelemy, Kayla Barthelemy and Farrell Barthelemy |
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| Darryl Lumpkins |
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| Lisa Tahir |
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| Tiffany and Josh Barthelemy |
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| Omar and Carla Mason |
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| Mariah Dillon |
Once guests screened “The Unlikely Sex Offenders” and “From Wrong to Right,” film producer and New Orleans native Maniko Barthelemy was greeted with a standing ovation, as she entered the ballroom at the New Orleans Renaissance Arts hotel. “A party in my hometown is perhaps the best way to say thank you to people who have supported my transition from television reporter to film producer. I did not expect to cry when I entered the room but I couldn’t hold back the tears,” Barthelemy said.
She made it a point to extend her southern hospitality by hugging every guest and personally thanking them for their support. The evening of well-wishes, emotional speeches, dancing and of course New Orleans cuisine, ended with a traditional New Orleans second-line to rhythmic and intoxicating sounds of the Stooges brass band.
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| After a quick wardrobe change, it was time for Maniko to end the party with a New Orleans second-line. |
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| The Stooges Brass Band gave everyone an intense and energetic workout. |
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| Guests joined Maniko in her high stepping in high heels from the dance floor into the hotel lobby. |
Barthelemy recently received a master’s degree from American University in film producing. She is currently the CEO of Southern Belle Productions, LLC and in pre-production on two films. “Louisiana’s Juvenile Reform Puzzle,” examines the problems, plight and progress of the Louisiana juvenile justice system. “After I’m Free” is a film about life after an inmate is exonerated.
Event photos provided by New Orleans photographer Zee Amir (504) 319-5730. Feel free to contact Maniko Barthelemy at
Newsheels@gmail.com.
