Culture for a Cause

Several of the past winners of The 431 Exchange Scholarship. Over 80 scholarships awarded since 2019!

Join The Cultured Cup for a delightful afternoon of art, libations, and light bites, all to advance the life-changing work of The 431 Exchange, a non-profit organization dedicated to giving “hand-up” scholarships to deserving adults seeking to transform their lives through education.

The event will feature paintings by Carol Ordemann, a Dallas-based abstract artist with New Orleans roots. Her work, which has been featured in galleries and special exhibitions across the country, is notable for its energy and vibrant colors. All proceeds from the sale of her paintings online and at Culture for a Cause will aid The 431 Exchange in its endeavor to brighten and stabilize the futures of adults of all ages and backgrounds. These paintings can be found here.

The Adult Education Center (AEC) on Exchange Place in New Orleans provided innovative vocational training to 431 inspirational women from 1965 to 1972. These women went on become the first Black secretaries to integrate the multinational corporations and local businesses of the city. Eventually their impact spread throughout the South and helped pave the way for equal employment opportunities for all American citizens.

Jeanne and Jeff Geoffray—descendants of Alice Geoffray, the school’s Director—created The 431 Exchange to advocate on behalf of adult education and social justice issues.