ZYDECO HISTORICAL PRESERVATION SOCIETY - Key Persons
Alaric Robinson brings over 20 years experience to the Zydeco Historical and Preservation Society as an architect specializing in preservation design, real estate development, program and construction management. Alaric's experience includes a diverse variety of clients such as Southside Church of Christ, Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services, Charles Schwab, and CSU Fresno. A Baton Rouge native and an avid blues enthusiast, Alaric has spent the last 12 years identifying and documenting significant and vanishing architectural structures along the rural chittlin' circuit that are important to the preservation of blues culture.
Job Titles:
- Professor at the University of Illinois
- Research & Educational Programming
Cedric Johnson is currently a professor at the University of Illinois at Chicato. Cedric is becoming a recognized advocate and organizer for the research, documentation, and preservation of the black Creole culture of southwest Louisiana and Texas. He has an extensive and growing understanding of the development and progression of irreplaceable segments of the modern black Creole culture of Southwest Louisiana and Texas and how these irreplaceable segments adapt and respond to current notions of race, politics, economics, and exposure to global world culture. He received his B.A. at Southern University, his first M.A. at Ohio State University, and both his second M.A. and his Ph.D. at University of Maryland, College Park. Professor Johnson served as an adjunct member of the faculties at Marymount University, George Washington University and University of Maryland. He is the author of Revolutionaries to Race Leaders: Black Power and the Making of African American Politics (University of Minnesota Press, 2007) and The Neoliberal Deluge: Hurricane Katrina, Late Capitalism, and the Remaking of New Orleans (University of Minnesota Press, 2011)
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder of Zydeco Authentica
- Programs, Marketing / Business Development
Darius Sias, co-founder of Zydeco Authentica brings a deep interest and understanding of Zydeco Music and culture. Darius has engaged in several successful entrepreneurial projects and brings an entrepreneurial spirit to the team. He has extensive program management and educational experience and has been involved with the promotion and development of Zydeco and Southern Soul music for over 15 years.
With more than 20 years in event planning and promotions, artist management, marketing, sales, and facilities management, Lola Love is seasoned veteran, producing stellar programs and events for a wide range of clients in various industries. In addition to event planning and management, Lola has over 10 years experience in radio broadcasting, and was instrumental in the development of the Zydeco Workout featuring Lola Love, the world's first online webcast dedicated to Zydeco and Southern Soul Music. She is currently the on-air personality and producer of the Zydeco Workout featuring Lola Love-LIVE on 90.1 FM KZSU-Stanford (Palo Alto, California) and KPCP 88.3FM (New Roads, Louisiana).
Job Titles:
- Member of the ZHPS ORGANIZING TEAM
- Program Manager / Public Relations
Moriba Karamoko brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to ZHPS. He inaugurated, produced, and hosted the first radio program dedicated to Zydeco Music in the Atlanta for WRFG for three years, and produced as well as hosted Zydeco, Southern Soul and Blues Music programs in Memphis, Tennessee. Moriba has over 25 years experience working with non-profit organizations and has extensive experience in community development, program development and grant writing. He has worked with the Industrial Areas Foundation, and is a past board member for the Fund for Southern Communities. In addition to his extensive managerial experiences, Moriba is an outstanding educator and has served on the Faculty of Southern University A & M College, Clark/Atlanta University, and Morris Brown College. Moriba has an extensive knowledge and understanding of Zydeco, Blues, and Southern Soul Music and Culture.
Job Titles:
- Creative Team Leader and Project Strategist
- Digital Media, Technology, & Design
Robert Ricks is seasoned creative team leader and project strategist. His client experience includes work for Nintendo, Microsoft, Cartoon Network, Sony, Franchise Films, Spy Glass Films, Hewlett Packard, Eidos, Warner Bros., Power Music, American Idol, and Fujitsu. Robert has also worked bands and singers such as Evans Blue, Placebo, Linda Strawbery, Smashing Pumpkins, Money B, Digital Underground, Tony! Toni! Toné!, Malika, Brian McKnight, Miko Marks, Burnt, Deconstruct, G-Stack, the Delinquents, UVR and Split 50, as well as Zydeco Artist like Sean Ardoin, Leon Chavis, J.J. Caillier and Curley Taylor. Robert has extensive experience with new model music industry practices and is adept in integrated marketing strategies, technological strategies, media and web based technologies that take advantage of the ever changing nature and tastes of today's audience demographic.
Job Titles:
- Member of the ZHPS ORGANIZING TEAM
- Program Director / Preservation Activities
Rod Sias has 15 years experience in creative, strategy, production, design, project management, and operations. A former educator and an architect, he brings innovative thinking, strategy and custom solutions in order to achieve measurable and meaningful objectives. Rod has a long, rich and growing experience in community organizing and engagement. He has been extensively involved in the study, writing, preservation, and development of Zydeco Music and Creole Culture for over 20 years, and has produced, critiqued, and help to develop the careers of Zydeco and Southern Soul Musicians.