SUNday SOCIAL
Celebrating 25 Years of Transformation
A Night of Food, Music, Mission, and Community
On Sunday, September 28th, Reconcile New Orleans transformed into a vibrant celebration of everything we've built over 25 years—and everything still to come.
SUNday Social was a celebration to remember and a testament to the power of community investment, a showcase of New Orleans talent, and proof that when we believe in young people, extraordinary things happen.
For one unforgettable evening, 130 guests filled every corner of our multi-level event experience, showcasing authentic New Orleans hospitality while supporting the mission that has defined Reconcile for a quarter century: empowering young people to pursue their potential and build meaningful careers right here in our city.
A Celebration Across Every Level
As guests arrived, DJ Duggie set the tone in our Hancock Whitney Bank Courtyard, welcoming guests with music that captured the spirit of New Orleans. The energy was immediate and infectious.
VIP guests enjoyed an exclusive hour featuring Lady Nellie Oyster Farm's fresh oysters with citrus mignonette, Café Reconcile's turkey neck gravy with rice grits and stuffed sweet peppers, and wines curated by Really Really Nice Wines.
Our building came alive when our dining and beverage experience took off! The 1st floor buzzed as guests sipped Turning Tables' signature cocktails like "Brown Sugar" and "Blackbird" and Cure’s “Lilac in the Sun.” Later on guests discovered Lagniappe Bakehouse's Sweet Potato Coconut Cream Cheese Cake. The 2nd Floor Emeril Lagasse Hospitality Center showcased culinary excellence from Reconcile’s portfolio of Restaurant Partners: Thaid Up Nola’s Thai Basil Chopped Chicken, Commander's Palace's iconic Shrimp Remoulade Bites, Turkey & the Wolf's innovative Cabbage and Crispy Pork Salad, Mister Mao's Kashmiri Fried Chicken Curry, Frita’s Haitian Red Beans, Rosedale’s Spinach Phyllo Turnovers, and Sylvain’s “Mexican Firing Squad.” The mezzanine offered Nightbloom's vibrant "Miss V" cocktail in our anniversary lounge, creating an intimate space for conversation and connection.
Every station, every cocktail, every bite told a story of partnership and possibility.
Music That Moves You
Sunpie & the Louisiana Sunspots took the main stage, and suddenly, SUNday SOCIAL became a full-blown party.
Sunpie's blend of zydeco, blues, and Louisiana soul filled our space with the authentic sound of New Orleans—the kind of music that makes you move, makes you smile, and reminds you why this city is like nowhere else. Guests danced, sang along, and celebrated not just Reconcile but the vibrant cultural legacy that shapes everything we do.
Partners Who Believe
SUNday SOCIAL was possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and in-kind partners who believe in Reconcile's mission.
Growth Cultivators
Delta Utilities
Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust
Joyce Schenewerk
Youth Empowerer
New Orleans & Company
Hancock Whitney
Home Bank
Auto-Chlor System
John & Kathy Eastman
Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company
BankPlus
Youth Advocate
Adams & Reese
New Orleans Children & Youth Planning Board
DePaul Community Health Centers
In-Kind Partners: We are deeply grateful to the following partners whose generous contributions of services and support made SUNday Social an unforgettable celebration:
Really Really Nice Wines
Caire
Verterra
Goldring Family Foundation
Coca-Cola
Cajun Fire
ELEMENT Event Rental
Your commitment to our mission and willingness to share your talents with our community exemplify the collaborative spirit that makes New Orleans—and Reconcile—special.
A Vision for What's Next
As CEO Kheri Billy shared in her welcome message, "Tonight, we're not just celebrating a milestone—we're celebrating every young person who walked through our doors with a dream, every partner who believed in our mission, and every community member who invested in New Orleans' next generation."
That investment is real. For 25 years, Reconcile has transformed thousands of lives through our comprehensive workforce development program. With an 86% job placement rate and a commitment to enrolling 130 new young people each year, we've created pathways to economic stability that ripple through families and neighborhoods across our city.
Chief Development Officer Caitlin Scanlan reminded guests that every dollar contributed that evening directly supports our daily delivery of mission impact—from ingredients for our training kitchen to wraparound services like transportation assistance and mental health resources that remove barriers to success.
SUNday SOCIAL raised critical funds while demonstrating something equally important: our community believes in this work. They show up. They invest. They celebrate the young people who are New Orleans' future.
Gratitude & What's Ahead
To our donors, sponsors, partners, and guests, thank you for making this milestone possible. Your generosity keeps doors open for young people in New Orleans, giving them the training, encouragement, and opportunities they need to build meaningful careers and strengthen our city. Our restaurant and bar partners showed that hospitality is about more than food and drinks—it is about connection, opportunity, and community. To the guests who filled the space with energy and to every Alum, staff member, board member, volunteer, and supporter who has walked with Reconcile through the years, you are the heart of this mission. As we look ahead with gratitude and purpose, we know that when young people thrive, all of New Orleans moves forward together.
Photo Gallery
