Residents Collaborate with Local Organizations for Community Improvement
LAFAYETTE, La. — The McComb-Veazey Neighborhood Coterie recently held its annual meeting, drawing enthusiastic participation from residents eager to see positive changes in their community. Through collaboration and grassroots efforts, the Coterie is dedicated to revitalizing the McComb-Veazey neighborhood with equitable initiatives and sustainable development. As the area with the largest concentration of blighted and adjudicated properties in Lafayette, this revitalization effort is both necessary and hopeful.
The Black Wall Street Times had the opportunity to interview Coterie Chair Raychel Nelson and Executive Director Tina Shelvin-Bingham to discuss the Coterie’s impactful work and ongoing projects.
The Rich History of McComb-Veazey
The McComb-Veazey community is deeply rooted in the history of Louisiana Creoles. According to Raychel Nelson, “McComb-Veazey is one of the oldest Creole neighborhoods in Lafayette, Louisiana. Many of the original homes were built in the early 20th century for Southern Pacific railroad workers and their families. Today, McComb-Veazey remains a predominantly Creole and African-American community with a rich cultural heritage.”
The neighborhood is also significant as the starting route for Lafayette’s first official Black Mardi Gras Parade, a tradition that has been celebrated for over 70 years. The area is home to the Black Masking Indians and Pardi Gras, further highlighting its cultural importance.
The community has been home to notable figures such as Clifton Chenier, Lil Buck, Uncle Fallay, Cupid, and Grammy Award winner Buckwheat Zydeco. “McComb-Veazey has always been a city within a city,” said Bingham, reflecting on its unique identity and cultural contributions.
How the McComb-Veazey Coterie Drives Positive Change
The McComb-Veazey Neighborhood Coterie, established in 2006, is a resident-led neighborhood planning group that collaborates with the Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG) to foster community development. “The Coterie is a collective of neighbors, friends, and families with a shared vision of nurturing and strengthening our community. It represents the heartbeat of our neighborhood,” explained Nelson.
The Coterie works closely with local agencies, organizations, and government entities to drive equitable improvements in the area. Several active committees—such as the Community in Action Committee, 12th Street Committee, Fundraising and Marketing Committee, and Sustainable Development Committee—play a crucial role in this process.
Transforming the Community Through Partnerships
A cornerstone of the Coterie’s efforts is its focus on organizational involvement and partnerships. The Adjudicated Properties Pilot Program (APPP), a collaborative effort between McComb-Veazey Neighborhood CDC, the Coterie, Lafayette Consolidated Government, and Lafayette Habitat for Humanity, aims to transform tax-delinquent properties into valuable community assets. “Our goal is to work with local developers to create market-rate and workforce housing within the community,” Bingham shared. The Coterie is also partnering with 100 Black Men of Greater Lafayette and Lafayette Habitat for Humanity to develop a new tutoring facility in the neighborhood.
Recently, Habitat for Humanity received a Community Revitalization Fellowship grant from Community Progress. This initiative allowed six dedicated community workers to travel to Tennessee and New York to learn innovative strategies for reviving blighted and vacant properties.
The Coterie’s commitment is already yielding measurable positive outcomes. Through the efforts of the 12th Street Committee and various partnerships, the Coterie successfully established Legacy Park, a new community park for children.
Highlights from the McComb-Veazey Coterie’s Annual Meeting
The annual meeting, held at the McComb-Veazey Community House (established in 2019), was attended by key community leaders, including Mayor Monique Blanco Boulet, Principal of Paul Breaux Middle School Ryan Martin, School Board Member Amy Trahan, President of 100 Black Men of Greater Lafayette, Inc. Alton Trahan, City Councilman Kenneth Boudreaux, and representatives from LCG and Habitat for Humanity.
During the meeting, community members and leaders discussed current projects, shared ideas, and addressed challenges. Attendees also had the opportunity to voice their concerns and perspectives to community workers and civic leaders. Bingham emphasized the importance of affordable housing, stating, “Habitat for Humanity has built over 40 homes within the community. While this is great, we also need deep affordability options to ensure all community members have access to a good quality of life.”
Principal Ryan Martin extended an invitation to use Paul Breaux Middle School as a space for community engagement and development, further emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in driving positive change.
Community Involvement: The Key to Success
Bingham encourages all community members to actively participate in the Coterie’s efforts, stating, “Engagement is key to advancing the neighborhood’s vision. Monthly and annual meetings are just the beginning. Residents and community partners can help us make a deeper impact by supporting projects and programs that benefit the community and foster growth.”
Residents of Lafayette and interested community members are invited to join the Coterie, participate in committees, and attend monthly meetings, which are held every third Tuesday.
