Dr. Reynold Verret serves as the sixth president of Xavier University of Louisiana and its second lay president. Xavier holds a unique place in American higher education as the nation’s only Catholic historically Black college or university among more than 100 HBCUs and over 250 Catholic colleges and universities.
Congressman Troy A. Carter represents Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional District, serving communities across New Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, Lafourche, and several River Parishes, including St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, Ascension, Assumption, and Iberville.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta is an Emmy Award–winning journalist and neurosurgeon who serves as CNN’s chief medical correspondent and hosts the network’s health-focused podcast Chasing Life. In addition to practicing medicine, he reports on major health and science stories for CNN’s television and digital platforms, both in the United States and internationally.
Blake Bertuccelli-Booth is a New Orleans-based creative technologist. His work explores the intersection of human artistry and emerging intelligence.
Vinny Barraza is the Head of Archives & Special Collections and Faculty Associate Librarian at Xavier University of Louisiana, where he has served since 2015 in roles including Archivist & Digital Preservation Librarian. He also serves as President-elect of the Louisiana Archives & Manuscripts Association (LAMA) and President of the Greater New Orleans Archivists (GNOA).
Dr. Jelagat Cheruiyot is a senior professor of practice in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB), School of Science and Engineering. Dr. Cheruiyot Joined EEB in 2017.
Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes is a distinguished sports executive, trailblazing as the first African-American female commissioner in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the HBCU Athletic Conference.
