Rev. Tyronne Edwards is a native of downtown Phoenix, Louisiana, in Plaquemine Parish. He has 47 years of community organizing/human service experiences on local, state, and intern...ver maisRev. Tyronne Edwards is a native of downtown Phoenix, Louisiana, in Plaquemine Parish. He has 47 years of community organizing/human service experiences on local, state, and international levels. Along with his community development work, Rev. Edwards is a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, pastor, human/community development specialist, substance abuse specialist, advocate, and mentor, training facilitator, playwright, photojournalist and community historian. He has a Bachelor and Master of Theology –Christian Bible College of Louisiana, Graduate of University of New Orleans Metropolitan College – Paralegal, Tulane University – Substance Abuse Certificate, and University of Georgia – Cooperative Management. He is the owner of T. Edwards Inc.; the founder and former Executive Director of the Zion Travelers Cooperative Center, Inc. (ZTCC) in Plaquemines Parish which was organized in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Anchored in the biblical revelation and conviction of “Let us arise and rebuild,” ZTCC was the only relief program available to east bank residents. He has over 40 years of creating and managing multi-purpose cultural, educational and recreational programs that benefit the entire community. Rev. Edwards tirelessly advocates for federal, state, and local support for the rebuilding of coastal communities and the restoration of coastal communities and the restoration of ecosystem damaged by hurricanes and the BP oil drilling disaster. He continually testify before congressional hearing panels on climate change, environmental injustice, coastal restoration, and lobby representatives to support the continuing work of rebuilding the Gulf Coast. For 37 years as a trainer/facilitator for the People’s Institution for Survival & Beyond have conducted Undoing Racism workshops throughout the country. He was on the Steve Wonder‘s Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday Committee; a staff member with his son (Saddi) on the historical Million Man March. Rev. Edwards is a former member of Free Southern and Ethopian Theater, Rev. Edwards is an executive board member of the Christian Ministers Missionary Baptist Association (CMMBA) of Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes. He represent his community as a member of the Plaquemines Parish Planning Zoning Board. He is a member of the Plaquemines Parish Historical Society and the Historic New Orleans Collection. He is a former board member on Plaquemines Hospital Service District & Medical Center, and Chairman of Metropolitan Human Service District Behavioral Health Regional Advisory Council. He unsuccessfully ran for District 1 councilman in 1981 and for Parish President in 2001. Rev. Edwards is a community advocate at all parish government meetings in his community. As Executive Director of the Fishermen& Concerned Citizen Association he brought international and national attention to the grassroots social change movement and plight of citizens in Plaquemines Parish. Rev. Tyronne Edwards is proud that he has helped his community to get a sense of their own power and self-determination.ver menos