New Orleans As Creative Capital Or 4th Sector Hub?

New Orlean resident Michael Karnjanaprakorn responds to the piece on whether New Orleans could emerge as a creative hub in the US with further thoughts. On his blog he says:

Totally agree with all those statements but being someone that lives in New Orleans, here are some of my thoughts to strengthen what Piers mentions..

Couple that with the rising trend of the Fourth Sector. Organizations driven by both social purpose and financial promise. Combination of the public, private and volunteer sectors. Before, students mainly had two choices - working for a non-profit to do good or selling out to Corporate America. Now young professionals can do both within the Fourth Sector.

…Companies like Patagonia, Method and Nau embraced the double and triple bottom line where profit is just as important as social factors and sustainability. Even companies such as Toyota and Gap have adopted social policy within their brand mission statements. Change is evident.

…This movement is evident in New Orleans. The Times Picayune article showcased the influx on young Vanguards into New Orleans. Over half of the schools in New Orleans are charter schools. We’re leading the sustainable green movement with companies such as Global Green and Jeriko House. Startups like New Orleans Exchange are launching here to help rebuild the city through entrepreneurship. We just elected the youngest and first minority governer in Louisiana, Bobby Jinal.

New Orleans should be known as the leaders within the 4th Sector movement. Our city is ripe with opportunities for massive change.

Mi•chael Karn•ja•na•pra•korn
Related PSFK: Could New Orleans Become The Creative Capital Of The US?