Rex and Zulu Jointly Honor Schools

For the third year, the Rex Organization and the Zulu Aid and Pleasure Club jointly presented grants to two deserving New Orleans charter schools. New Orleans Military and Marine Academy (NOMMA) and McDonogh 35 Senior High School (an Inspire Nola school) each received $5000 grants at a press conference at the Rex den. Last year’s grants were presented at the Zulu clubhouse.

Rex official James Reiss III welcomed guests and spoke of Rex’s longstanding commitment to education as well as the importance of the relationship between Rex and Zulu. “We already have the honor of sharing Mardi Gras day with our friends at Zulu… but now for the third year in a row we have the honor of sharing this experience with our friends at Zulu, our support for the youth and the future of our city.”

Zulu President Elroy James congratulated the grant recipients and observed that “this really matters—the future of our city depends on our children.” He also invited guests to attend next year’s presentation which will be held in the Zulu clubhouse.

City Councilman and past Zulu King Jay Banks spoke and acknowledged the importance of the collaboration of the Rex and Zulu organizations in supporting the education of the children of the city of New Orleans.

A NOMMA cadet color guard raised the American and Rex flags in the den courtyard as guests arrived. Rex and Zulu members greeted students and administrators from both schools.

These grants are separate from the grants made each year by the Pro Bono Publico Foundation which has invested almost $8 million in New Orleans public schools over the past ten years. The Foundation has committed $1 million each year for the past three years and expects to continue that level of investment in its next grant cycle. The Pro Bono Publico Foundation was organized by Rex members in 2006 and has focused its giving on the transformation of New Orleans public schools.