Accomplishments/Highlights

• In 1991, the YLC raised more than $500,000 to add lights to the city's most visible bridge, the Crescent City Connection, enhancing the city's skyline and providing for safe travel on this main thoroughfare.
• The YLC is credited with founding the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, a group charged with recruiting sporting events to the city. The Sports Foundation has had an economic impact of more than $1 billion since its inception.
• In 1994 New Orleanians adopted the phrase, New Orleans: Proud To Call It Home. This Young Leadership Council project created a grassroots campaign of billboards, bumper stickers, t-shirts and events aimed at counteracting the negative view that New Orleanians sometimes have about our city. After Katrina the YLC revitalized the campaign, renewing its energy and rallying New Orleanians to stand up and be proud to return to and live in the city.
• In 2000, the YLC presented the "Festival of Fins", the largest public art display ever to hit the streets of New Orleans. An auction of the fish sculptures raised more than $550,000 for 65 local, non-profit organizations.
• In 2004, YLC asked the entire community to read the same book in its "One Book One New Orleans" project. With this project, YLC partnered with the Literacy Alliance of Greater New Orleans to highlight issues of adult literacy and bring people together across cultural lines. This project will kick off its third year in 2007.
• In 2006 the YLC took over the Wednesday At The Square concert series in partnership with the Downtown Development District after several years of providing volunteers for the events. This signature New Orleans festival takes place from April to June every Wednesday at Lafayette Square.