Better Than Ezra Foundation names Delery Rice as
Executive Director and announces future plans for Bethune Elementary

New Orleans, LA – Delery Rice, known for her work as Director of Development for The Good Shepherd Nativity Mission School, is named Executive Director of the Better Than Ezra Foundation. During her time at Good Shepherd, she increased funds raised through the annual fundraising event by 65% and grant funds received in fiscal year by 180%.

“We were very impressed with Delery’s work over the years,” says Tom Drummond, founding member of Better Than Ezra, “and are excited to have her on board to help us maximize our efforts in the New Orleans community.”

First order of business while as Executive Director will be to continue the existing relationship and work the foundation has done with Bethune Elementary. The foundation recently built an educational playground for the children, donated school supplies and renovated the teacher’s lounge for the elementary school located in the Holly Grove neighborhood of New Orleans.

“The relationship the foundation has built with Bethune is incredible,” says Executive Director Delery Rice. “The school is grateful for all they’ve done over the years but our work won’t stop there. We will begin an after school program with Young Audiences for Bethune Elementary students for the upcoming school year.”

The Better Than Ezra Foundation’s partnership with Young Audiences is an exciting union of educational and professional arts. Enriching a student’s life with the arts allows them to approach academic and social learning with a new perspective. But beyond the value of a broadened horizon lies the relationship behind this program: professional musicians creating the next generation of artists.

“Young Audiences is thrilled to team up with the Better Than Ezra Foundation,” says Program Manager Suzannah Powell. “Young Audiences hopes to perpetuate the artistic community of New Orleans by providing these students an opportunity to discover not only their creativity, but a potential career path as well.”

Details on the curriculum for the after school program will be announced in the coming months. For more information on the Better Than Ezra Foundation and how to get involved, please visit www.BTEFoundation.org