About Us

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THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO I.N.S.P.I.R.E. STUDENTS TO INCREASE THE QUALITY OF THEIR READING BY RECOGNIZING AND REWARDING THEM FOR THEIR EFFORTS.

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I.N.S.P.I.R.E. RR, Inc.

Program Design

A great way to reward and recognize students for their reading is through positive reinforcement. I.N.S.P.I.R.E. Rewards and Recognition program will work with schools utilizing reading management programs such as Achieve3000 reading program, among other reading programs. Students will select books that they want to read based on reading lists that have been generated by the software. Once the score has been generated from the test and the child has mastered the selected book, they earn points called “BUCKS” that can be used towards the attainment of the toys. The toys will be strategically placed around the library and school. The “BUCKS” will be used to purchase the incentive prizes from the collection of toys and gifts on display at the participating school. The more books a student reads, the more bucks they will earn. By providing students with incentives, such as toys, dolls, and mountain bikes, students will increase the number of books that they read for pleasure. Some of the benefits for reading for pleasure are improved reading attainment and writing ability, text comprehension and grammar, breadth of vocabulary, increased general knowledge and a better understanding of other cultures (Clark and Rumbold, 2006).

 

As adults, we are rewarded with a salary and other incentives to do a good job. Children also respond positively to rewards and recognition. Children are not aware of the benefits of the importance of reading at this age. If they are reading below grade level, there is also an added stigma. Students who read only for a grade or to complete an assignment seldom truly develop a passion for reading and knowledge that can help them become lifelong learners.

 

As educators and community leaders, we must find ways to I.N.S.P.I.R.E., motivate, and encourage all students to read. Reading has the power to increase self-esteem and confidence, provide a sense of accomplishment, and can help children to attain their dreams.

 

Leadership

Micah Blunt

Founder/Executive Director

Micah J. Blunt, husband, father, mentor, coach, and non-profit founder of I.N.S.P.I.R.E. RR, Inc., is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. He graduated from East Jefferson High School and was the first player selected in Louisiana to be named to the distinguished McDonalds Top- Twenty High School All-American Basketball Team. He attended Tulane University on a full athletic scholarship while Captain of the men’s basketball team and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Education. Upon graduating from Tulane, he was drafted by the NBA World Champion Los Angeles Lakers in 1982.

After a brief stint in the NBA and CBA, he continued a ten-year professional basketball career in Europe, where he won 5 championships in one season (European Guinness Book of World Records) while playing in the United Kingdom (England, Italy, and France and reigning MVP of the English Professional Basketball League. Upon his return to the United States, Micah embarked onto an NCAA-Div. I collegiate coaching career having coached Men and Women’s Basketball at three universities; Fairleigh- Dickinson University and CSUS- Sacramento State (Men) and George Mason University (Women) Basketball Coach. During his coaching tenure, his men’s team (FDU) played in the postseason NIT, and the GMU women’s team finished as conference champion runner-up.

Over the past 20 years, Micah has had a career in Human Resources Management and Leadership. His experience as a director, manager, and generalist in different industries such as Logistics and Distribution Centers, Poultry Industry, Corporate HR, Food Service Industry, Mfg., HealthCare, and the Gaming Industry. His unique sets of skills and knowledge are a perfect fit for serving people in the human capital industry.

Micah’s longtime community involvement goes back to his school days as a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Big Brothers, and Special Olympics Volunteer. His community involvement led to the creation of I.N.S.P.I.R.E. RR, Inc., a Rewards and Recognition Program for reading.

Micah is the father of Marie and Myles Blunt.

Micah Blunt
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Board of Directors

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Ethel Julien

President

Ethel Julien

President

After serving as judge ad hoc in the Orleans Parish Juvenile court and Judge pro tem Civil District Court, Division “A”, Ethel Julien was elected judge of the Civil District Division “N” where she has served since September 1995. For a brief period in 2000, the Louisiana State Supreme Court-appointed her ad hoc to the First Circuit Court of Appeal to assist in reducing the docket.

Judge Julien has worked tirelessly to encourage student advancement in education, having assisted in the founding of three different scholarship committees: The Austerlitz Street Baptist Church Scholarship fund, The First District Missionary Association Scholarship Fund as well as the Cornerstone Missionary Baptist General Association Scholarship Committee. Through these and other activities, young people are shown that education is valued and necessary.

She serves as Superintendent of her church Sunday school. She has three stepdaughters and three grandchildren.

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Paula Brown

Vice President

Paula Brown

Vice President

Paula Brown was elected to Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans on February 9, 2010. A native of Oceans Springs, Mississippi, Paula Brown attended Tulane University on a basketball scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Management from the A.B. Freeman School of Business. She went on to receive her Juris Doctorate from Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

She began her legal career as an Associate Attorney with the Law Office of Marie A. Bookman. From there, she honed her skills as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Bernette J. Johnson in Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans, and again at the Louisiana Supreme Court. Her vast experience led her to an appointment as Judge Pro Tempore, Civil District Court, Division “M” in 2004. She has also been a Staff Attorney with the Orleans Indigent Defender’s Program; an Adjunct Professor at Southern University at New Orleans; a Trial Attorney with the Regional Transit Authority; an Associate Attorney with Fine & Associates, PLC; and a Litigator with the Hartford Insurance Group.

Paula Brown is not only active in legal activities, but also in her community. As a breast cancer survivor, she is passionate about promoting Breast Cancer Awareness and is a Board Member of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, New Orleans Affiliate, where she has served from 2008-present. Judge Brown is also a board member of the Louisiana Heat Foundation and I.N.S.P.I.R.I.E RR, Inc. She also serves on the Advisory Board of Armstrong Family Services and is a member of 100 Black Women, New Orleans Chapter. In addition, Judge Brown serves as a mentor in the Tulane University Women’s Basketball Mentorship Program. Judge Brown is a former YWCA Role Model and a 2010 recipient of the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.’s Award for Exemplary Community Service.

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Kendal Francis

Kendal Francis

Kendal Francis is a mentor, the Founder and Executive Director of The Blessed 26 Mentoring Organization, journalist and entrepreneur. He has an open heart for people and a passion for helping others.

Early into his professional career, Kendal began volunteering his time mentoring young people. He participated in the Reconcile New Orleans program, arranging field trips for participants. He also designed programs that assisted youth striving to find work in the service industry and realizing their full potential.

During this time, he used his personal resources to fund what grew into him creating The Blessed 26 Mentoring Organization in 2004. Blessed 26 assists youth in developing goals and defining what success means for them. Through various Blessed 26 programs and events such as Character Enrichment and Personal Development for Athletes, The Board Room and Suited for Success, students are challenged and motivated to break through barriers, expand their comfort zones and gain skills to improve their attitudes while encouraging them to obtain, utilize and enhance their untapped potential.

Kendal is a native Floridian, born in Jacksonville. He is a graduate of The Bolles College Preparatory School where he was a star athlete. He was not only able to show his commitment to his teammates on the field, but he was able to convey that same passion to his community. In 1995, he earned the Jay Stein Caring Award for his commitment to community service while still in high school.

He attended Tulane University in New Orleans on a full athletic scholarship, graduating in 2000 with a Media Arts degree. During his time at Tulane, Kendal was one of the leaders of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Tulane Men Against Rape and often served as a keynote speaker for both causes, conducting seminars in schools across the metropolitan area.

Prior to graduating, Kendal began working at WDSU News Channel 6 and has been there for the past 20 years. He quickly became the Coordinator of the WDSU/National Council of Jewish Women's Consumer Advocacy program known as 6 On Your Side. He is currently an assignment editor, helping connect people with the daily news they need and highlight important stories in the community.

In his free time, Kendal enjoying maintaining an active lifestyle. His words to live by are that he has only been blessed to be a blessing to others.

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Board Members

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Ro Brown

Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame
Sports Journalist
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Jeremy Tobias

Servron LLC
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Stephen Smith Jr

Servron LLC
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Carmen Jones

Secretary

Past Members

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    Angélique Reed

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    Caycee Allen Francis

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    Debra Dean