I believe the humanities belong in the public square, on the street corner, inside city hall, and at family gatherings. Past lives include launching the Louisiana Humanities Center, publishing 64 Parishes magazine, writing for Oxford American, Offbeat and SLAM and my first book “New Orleans Boom and Blackout”, producing documentary film series, leading Smithsonian traveling exhibits, and DJ’ing atop Mardi Gras floats, on East Village Radio and at block parties. I lead a nonprofit foundation that is dedicated to reimagining grant-making to shift power and elevate the voices of truth seekers. I still spin records, mostly for my wife and kids. Western Mass resident, Pittsburgh native, Tulane grad, humanist.