LE LAB!
APPLY BY JULY 28
REACHING NEW HEIGHTS.
DE NOUVEAUX SOMMETS.
Le Lab is a cultural incubator supporting Louisiana's Creole, Cajun, and Indigenous heritage cultures, as well as minority language cultures across the U.S.
Laureates receive professional workshops, monthly mentorship, and a tailored fundraising and communications strategy to bring their projects to life.
Since 2021, Le Lab laureates have raised $350,000, secured Guggenheim and Mellon grants, presented at the Library of Congress, and launched nonprofits and startups of their own.
CLASS OF 2026!
Meet our current laureates
Monica Ordoñez
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Monica Ordoñez is a Big Easy Award-winning choreographer based in New Orleans. Originally from Miami, Florida, she discovered her passion for choreography at a young age, rooted in a harmonious connection between movement, music, and cohesive narrative. Shortly graduating from Tulane University with a double major in Dance and Paralegal studies, she was selected by the Paul Taylor Dance Company as one of six choreographers to present work at the Marigny Opera House’s 2012 New Dance Festival, catapulting her into the dance scene in New Orleans. In 2014, Monica conceived Mélange’s mission and cofounded the company with Alexa Erck. Monica pours enormous thought and meticulous research into her works to fulfill a vision that is purposeful, truthful, theatrical, and dynamic. She has choreographed numerous big easy award nominated productions that each uniquely integrate storytelling, history, and themes of humanity that inspire, educate, and entertain, often bringing little known stories to the forefront. Monica is grateful to have worked with so many talented dancers, musicians, collaborators, and artists that help achieve a rich vision and is excited to continue growing and inspiring positive change in the world through dance.
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Love Letters of WWII is a poignant dance theatre production accompanied by original live music, chronicling the enduring love of Yvette and Roger, a young French couple separated by Nazi occupation. Their story unfolds through letters that reveal emotional resilience amid war’s turmoil. The performance also shines a light on French female resistants’ bravery and Louisiana’s Cajun French-speaking soldiers, who used their language and culture to aid the Allied forces. This multidisciplinary work weaves personal and collective histories, emphasizing how love, culture, and courage sustained those who fought fascism and helped shape history.
Régine Dupuy
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Régine Dupuy is a Haitian-born immigration attorney and founder of NOLA Diaspora Immigration Law, whose expertise bridges law, migration, and international development. She has worked extensively on migration and diaspora issues in the U.S., Haiti, and Africa, using advocacy and storytelling to elevate marginalized voices. Régine’s deep personal ties to New Orleans stem from her daughters’ musical careers in the city, linking her to its vibrant Haitian heritage. She contributes to documentary film projects and serves on several nonprofit boards focused on cultural preservation and youth empowerment, including Twin Sisters Reunited and the Women and Girls Initiative. Régine’s work reflects a commitment to justice, cultural recognition, and cross-cultural dialogue through law and the arts.
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Ties That Bind Tours offers an immersive cultural heritage experience tracing the deep ties between Louisiana and the Afro-Caribbean world, especially Haiti. It highlights how the Haitian Revolution reshaped New Orleans’ demographics, culture, and economy through migration and shared traditions. The tours examine sites like Congo Square and Tremé, uncovering stories of migration, resistance, and cultural fusion that challenge mainstream narratives. By emphasizing Haiti’s influence on Louisiana’s identity, the project fosters historical accuracy, social justice, and cultural appreciation, promoting deeper cross-cultural understanding for tourists, students, and diaspora communities.
Julio Bermudoz-Clotter
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Julio Bermudez Clotter, born in Honduras and raised in New Orleans East, is a dedicated community leader passionate about youth empowerment and cultural preservation. He founded Raíces Nuevas, an organization committed to supporting Garifuna youth by providing tools for navigating social challenges while embracing their heritage. Julio’s background includes nonprofit management and military service in the U.S. Armed Forces. Prior to founding Raíces Nuevas, he managed facilities for Son of a Saint, a mentoring program for fatherless boys. Julio’s work reflects a deep commitment to social justice, cultural identity, and building equitable opportunities for marginalized communities, using art and storytelling as powerful tools for change.
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The Clotter Project is a photography and film exhibition that explores the rich Garifuna culture in New Orleans, highlighting stories of immigration, resilience, and cultural contribution. This Afro-indigenous community, originally exiled from St. Vincent, maintains its distinct language and traditions despite limited resources for preservation. The project centers on youth engagement, encouraging Garifuna young people to document elders’ experiences while gaining professional skills. By showcasing how Garifuna culture is woven into New Orleans’ economic and social fabric, from the banana trade to local politics, the project aims to amplify underrepresented voices and foster a deeper understanding of identity and cultural survival.
Cheryl Devall
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Cheryl Devall is a media professional rooted in Louisiana’s French-speaking community, dedicated to cultural preservation through public radio. At KRVS Radio Acadie, she champions French and Creole language programming that highlights the region’s rich musical and linguistic heritage. Cheryl is passionate about training new radio hosts to continue this legacy, ensuring that authentic local voices remain central in broadcasting. Her work nurtures community connection and cultural pride, offering thoughtful programming that educates listeners and supports French immersion students. Cheryl views radio as a unique cultural lifeline, preserving language and storytelling in an evolving media landscape.
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KRVS Radio Acadie’s French-Language Talent Development Project seeks to preserve and grow Louisiana’s French and Creole language heritage through radio. By cultivating new programming talent and maintaining long-standing shows, KRVS ensures that the unique cultural rhythms, stories, and histories of Southwest Louisiana are broadcast to local and global audiences. The project supports French immersion education by enhancing ear training and cultural literacy among students. As commercial media often overlook this niche, KRVS provides a vital platform for authentic regional voices, fostering deeper understanding of the French-speaking heritage and sustaining it for future generations.
CLASS OF 2027!
Applications for Le Lab, Class of 2027, are now closed. Successful applicants will be notified in mid-August.
Our next call for applications will be published in May 2027.
The program is open to applicants residing anywhere in the United States, including all territories. Projects with a tangible deliverable (book, album, exhibit, performance, etc.) and early-stage nonprofits and startups are especially encouraged to apply.