The Journey:

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    Crescent Project NOLA was founded in 2025 by Deon Arnold, a youth organizer and community leader with a long-standing commitment to mentorship, conflict resolution, and grassroots empowerment. Prior to launching The Crescent Project in New Orleans, Arnold established Solutions in Birmingham in 2018, both youth-led initiatives grounded in a shared mission: to build bridges across generations through leadership, nonviolence, and community restoration.

 

    Crescent Project NOLA emerged as a response to the challenges faced by underserved neighborhoods, where young voices are often ignored and cycles of violence go unchecked. By centering youth leadership and civic engagement, the organization empowers the next generation to take ownership of their communities, stories, and futures.

 

    Crescent Project NOLA works to restore trust, inspire action, and foster a culture of care through hands-on service, school-based workshops, artistic expression, and collaborative events. This is more than a program, it’s a movement to reclaim the power of people to lead change from the inside out