BRAC welcomes new residents

Ryan Simpson moved to Baton Rouge five months ago from Kalamazoo, Mich. The present policy and research project manager with Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC) had no expectations when he relocated, and was a bit nervous about the culture shock.

Quickly, Simpson found he had no reason to worry thanks to some Southern hospitality.

Simpson was one of many people buzzing around City Plaza II Saturday morning for BRAC’s half-day event, Conquer the Learning Curve. The friendly occasion was part of BRAC’s Capital Region 101 series and welcomed new Baton Rouge residents with a meet-and-greet breakfast, presentations and trivia trolley ride before ending at the Red Stick Farmers Market.

The purpose of the event was to bring newcomers together to form new social circles as well as get them acclimated to the region, Director of Talent Development for BRAC Julie Laperouse says.

While Simpson attended as part of the BRAC’s talent program, he also wanted to take advantage of the event.

“Although I’ve been able to explore a little bit on my own, I thought this would be a good opportunity to come as a participant,” Simpson says. “I know there’s so much for me to learn.”

In his time in the Red Stick, Simpson has enjoyed meeting new people and the culinary scene.

“You can’t move to Louisiana and not talk about the food,” he says. “It’s spectacular. I’m a Midwest guy. We like our meat and potatoes. Our spice? It’s salt and pepper. When we want to make it Cajun, we just add a little more pepper.”

Among the other newcomers was Jessie Francois, who has lived in Baton Rouge for almost eight years. Francois brought her friend Shirley Gambino, who moved to Baton Rouge last year.

Francois was living in Los Angeles and retired here on a whim in 2005.

“It wasn’t planned,” Francois says. “I was only supposed to be here for one day, then I was going to spend the next day in New Orleans to see family. I just found a house that I liked.”

Francois and Gambino have enjoyed the nightlife more than anything. They also don’t mind the cheap parking.

“We’ve seen everything,” Gambino says, mentioning the different shows she’s attended before Francois chimed in with, “In L.A., it’s $20-$25 to park. Here, it’s $3.”

Brendan O’Kelly moved to Baton Rouge from Dallas as part of the Teach for America program. O’Kelly is currently in his second year of his commitment and wanted to join Saturday’s program to “learn about the people who play a big role in our community,” he says.

That community and the wealth of entertainment options are big reasons why O’Kelly now calls Baton Rouge home.

“Working in education, I’ve found that if ever I needed help or a resource for my kids, people are always willing to help out in any way they could,” he says. “I also like the fact that I can live in Beauregard Town and walk a few hundred yards to a parade or whatever exciting things going on downtown. I love the outdoor lifestyle, and I think the culture is incredible.”

O’Kelly currently teaches civics to ninth graders at the Mentorship Academy, and once his commitment is up, he doesn’t plan on moving back to Dallas.

“What I love most is the lifestyle you can have here, it’s relaxing,” he says. “There’s great culture, great people, and I feel like there’s always something going on in Baton Rouge. It’s never dull and boring. I want to stay in Baton Rouge. This is my home.”