Meet the Honorees: Alsie Dunbar
Where did you grow up?
I am a lifelong native and resident of Ascension parish. I currently reside in Gonzales, La where I was born.
Name a hobby or your favorite sport.
My favorite sport is of course football!! My father Allen “Jubilee” Dunbar played for the New Orleans Saints. One cool fact about him is that when I started high school there was a New Orleans hip hop emcee by the name of “DJ Jubilee” that got his name from my father. He went on to become one of the pioneers of New Orleans Bounce music.
Name someone that has been influential in your life.
Outside of my parents and my immediate family, a very special lady who my mother did community partnerships with while she was the librarian at Prairieville Elementary. Her name was Mrs. Darlene Parker.
Being that my mother (Rhonda Washington Dunbar) is a retired librarian of 39 years with the Ascension Parish School Board, I was always exposed to educational and community outreach and as I grew older, I did what came naturally. I felt that being a mentor and volunteering my time tutoring kids in the community was my way of paying it forward. I would sit in on brainstorming sessions that she would have with her friend Dana Parker who was a chemical engineer at Uniroyal Chemical in Geismar. At that time, my mother was the librarian at Prairieville Elementary School. It was truly a blessing watching the two of them launch Quality Kids and implement a literacy program that impacted so many children in a positive way. That was evidence that when you have phenomenal women who were as passionate as they were unite for the common good of the community, everyone wins. Dana Parker was a chemical engineer with a stellar career in the chemical industry and my mother was a librarian (educator) but their focus was on education and empowerment for the next generation of children. So, it was only natural that I followed in their footsteps. So, it’s fair to say that my community involvement has been a life long journey.
What does being a Great Futures Gala Honoree mean to you?
Being an Honoree can mean many things. I see this as an opportunity to further educate myself and others on the important works of the Boys and Girls Club as this organization has impacted the lives of so many in a positive way. Going forward, I would like to see this organization expand to the River Region area starting in Ascension. It is much needed.
Why do you feel it’s important to give back?
It’s how I was raised and one of my favorite Bible scriptures that my grandmother would always have me recite said that to whom much is given, much is required. (Luke 12:48) I consider myself blessed beyond measure, so I know that God would want me to pay my blessings forward by giving back.
What did you want to be growing up?
I always wanted to be either an engineer or a neurosurgeon.