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Full Name:

Eliza Eugene

Where are you from?

I am from Reserve, and I am a product of the St. John Parish Community.

Tell us a little bit about yourself:

I am an entrepreneur, philanthropist, motivational speaker and minister. I am a Certified Louisiana Economic Developer (CLED), Master Compliance Administrator (MCA), Licensed Louisiana Realtor, Licensed Louisiana Contractor, Kauffmon Curriculum Faciltor., Licensed Cosmetogist. I am the daughter of the late Warren Snyder Sr. and Margaret Lewis. I have two children, Elroy Perrilloux Jr. (Monique) and Cherry Johnson. I have four grandchildren.

Who are some black role models you look up to, and why?

My parents were the most hard-working people that I know. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired me to never be afraid to speak truth to power. Madam CJ Walker was the first black woman millionaire for her successful line of hair care product and inspired me to become an entrepreneur. Mrs. Beverly Harris was my high school counselor and I learned the importance of paying it forward from her. She made each student feel as though they were her favorite. My Uncle Larry Snyder Sr. has taught me to stand firm in my conviction. If you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything.

What does Black History Month mean to you?

Black History Month means to me the annual observance originating in the United States, where it is also known as African American History Month….it began as a way of remembering important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. We pay tribute to African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society.

 Why is it important to encourage diversity?

Cultural diversity is important because our country, workplaces and schools increasingly consist of various cultural, racial and ethnic groups. It is important that we recognize that people with different backgrounds, skills, attitudes and experiences bring fresh ideas and perceptions… In society today, most people view diversity as a good thing because it gives people the chance to experience different things outside of what they are normally accustomed to. Diversity also teaches us empathy, closes gaps in understanding between different groups of people, and makes breaking down those barriers everyone’s problem instead of just a marginalized group’s issue.

 What changes would you like to see in the local community?

I would like to see the United Way ALICE ( Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Report numbers decrease. Currently in St. John the Baptist Parish 45 percent of households struggle to make ends meet. In our community 26 percent of households are ALICE and 19 percent live in poverty as defined by the Federal Poverty guidelines. We must become intentional with our spending of local tax dollars. Employing local residents and empowering small business from within our community could have a rapid local impact. I would like to see more public and private partnerships with our local industry leaders.