Little Jackie
Picture it: an R&B legend from the South, and a visionary nonprofit director planning for a special moment that would have the city talking for years to come. Sounds like nothing could go awry, right? Wrong. Unanswered phone, text, and emails, and burgeoning connections ended up being caught in the crossfire of unprofessionalism.
Don Lewis is the founder of the Krewe of Bridge and The Bridge Foundation. Since its inception in 2022, the foundation’s mission is to bring together the vibrancy of art and culture to the local community and abroad. For Mardi Gras 2023, the Krewe made its debut in the Lake Charles parade with Don Lewis as King and Lateshia Pearson of OWN’s network Belle Collective as Queen. With such an impressive debut, an amazing follow up was set for the books.
The Krewe had secured a legendary talent. (for all intent purposes of this story, we’ll refer to them as “Jackie”). Promotional media had been done, and everyone’s excitement began to bubble. Jackie comes hailing out of the 44’s on Houston’s north side, and traveled the world being a part of one of the most successful singing groups. Unfortunately, the warm feelings of nostalgia and R&B fandom didn’t last long as things slowly went left.
Jackie presented themselves as dependable, and all about community. In the initial planning stages, Mr. Lewis had made his contribution known to high-ranking community members and business owners. Securing their interest and excitement to help produce the grandest Mardi Gras event in the history of Lake Charles, the buzz was loud and clear.
Merriam- Webster defines a contract as “a binding agreement between two or more persons or parties (one legally enforceable), a business arrangement for the supply of goods or services at a fixed price. Furthermore, according to Cornell Law School, certain elements are needed for that contract to be valid. These include mutual assent, expressed by a valid offer and acceptance, adequate consideration, capacity and legality. To be legally binding as a contract, a promise must be exchanged for adequate consideration.
On October 21 st , 2024, everything began to unravel. Jackie began to rescind with their communication and excuses became the new normal. During this time, a change in representation occurred, (without proper notification from Jackie) however, a contract had already been signed. Additionally, a deposit and other miscellaneous event logistics expenses were spent. As of January 28th , 2025, all communication ceased and no response has been received which leads Mr. Lewis to believe that legal action will be enforced.
Eight months of hard planning, gone down the drain all with the words, “see you in court”. Earlier in their career, Jackie crooned out the lyrics, “Do you know where you’re going to?” Judging from how things are shaping out to be, Jackie’s going to court and will continue to lay in the shadows of her peers, once the beads have stopped rattling, and the saxophone blows its last note.
We may not be Krewe of Endymion or 6 Ward Steppers.
We may not be New Orleans, or Rio de Janerio.
We are Krewe of Bridge Lake Charles, Louisiana and we will be respected.
The way she felt on February 15th, 2000, mirrors the exact same of Krewe of Bridge President Don Lewis.
See ya Mardi Gras 2026!