Barbara Motley, Commissioner

Barbara Baker Motley is the founder and proprietor of Le Chat Noir cabaret theater, a 125 seat live theater located at 715 St. Charles Avenue. The theater began operations in June 1999 and was named the "Best Theater Venue" in New Orleans metro area six years running by one of the following: "Gambit Readers Survey," "Where Y'At Readers Survey,""Storer Boone Awards" (awards for local theater) and has been recognized in Zagat's Survey--Best of New Orleans every year since 2002. It was the first theater venue to reopen after Katrina in November 2005, giving local actors and musicians a place to work for pay.

Ms. Motley was previously the Vice President of Marketing and Sales at the Audubon Institute, New Orleans, Director of Corporate Marketing for Popeyes, New Orleans, and Chief Operating Officer of Mignon Faget Design, New Orleans. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from University of Texas and a Masters Degree in Marketing from Louisiana State University.

She is a member of numerous civic organizations, including the Contemporary Arts Center where she was Former President and is currently Board Member Emeritus, WWNO Public Radio Advisory Board, and Unity for the Homeless Board. She has received many awards and recognitions, such as the 2001 New Orleans CityBusiness Women of the Year, New Orleans Maganize People to Watch, and the 2007 Community Arts Award.