The 431 Exchange is so fortunate to have Connie Payton-Nevels, a 1970 graduate of the Adult Education Center (AEC), as a member of its Scholarship Committee, along with several other AEC graduates!

While Connie now lives in Marietta, GA, she is still a proud graduate of the famed McDonogh 35 High School, where she was a co-captain of the cheerleading team.

Connie Payton at the 1970 AEC Graduation

After graduating from the AEC, and starting her career as a secretary, Connie went on to work at IBM. Because the company recognized Connie’s unique talents, they encouraged her to go back to school at Tulane University, where she graduated with a Computer Systems degree.

Ms. Payton-Nevels is also an accomplished writer and serial entrepreneur. One of her many published articles includes a 2007 editorial in The New Orleans Times-Picayune entitled, “His works will speak for him forever” in memory of James J. Coleman. In the article Connie writes, “Mr. Coleman became our champion at the AEC, actively recruiting local businessmen to support the school by not only donating money to keep the doors open, but also to hire graduates…Believe me, in 1964, to have a person of Mr. Coleman's stature at our backs gave all of us the courage to dig deep and stay focused.”

Connie continues to pay it forward as a mentor to friends, family and members of The 431 Exchange family. That includes her grandnieces, Jaeda and Daryanna Barrett, two of our most recent scholarship award winners. In an interview with WBOK Host and City Councilmember, Oliver Thomas, looked at Connie’s life that started at the Desire Housing Projects in New Orleans, and said Connie went “from Desire to Desirable.”

We feel the same about Jaeda and Daryanna Barrett, both of whom have the desire and determination their Grand Aunt Connie has had, to carve out their futures, becoming accomplished artists and leaders.

Jaeda Barrett

Jaeda Barrett, at age 18, graduated from Lusher Charter High School in 2022 and is enrolled in Northwestern State University, in Natchitoches, LA. Her Degree will be a Bachelor of Fine Arts, with her major field of study as Performing Arts, specifically Dance.

What makes Jaeda courageous about her choice of Performing Arts, and inspires her to make a difference in her life is that, “As I am getting older, I realize I should make the most of this one life I have. I love dancing and by being around other passionate dancers, pushes me to pursue this career.”

Jaeda went on to say, “To be able to tell stories with my body, as many amazing dancers have before me, inspires me to move forward with this dream and be the success I know I have the potential to be. I want to make people feel the way I do after watching a show. Like they just learned something about themselves and the world around them.”

Jaeda plans to use the resources at Northwestern State University by pushing forward with her major and, at some point, begin a minor in Psychology. Psychology has been an interest of hers for a long time. “Since I have the opportunity to pursue both, I will. This way I have two possible paths I can take.”

Daryanna Barrett

Daryanna Barrett graduated from University View Academy in Baton Rouge, LA, in 2020. She is now enrolled in Loyola University New Orleans, where she, too, is in a Bachelor of Fine Art Degree program, with a major field of Digital Filmmaking Studies.

When asked what appealed to her about the educational program she’d chosen at Loyola, Daryanna said, “We get hands-on experience. We have the opportunity to write, shoot, produce, and edit our own short films and help others on their film sets. It helps my classmates and me prepare for our future careers in the film industry!” Daryanna went on to say, “As someone who is deeply passionate about entering a career in filmmaking, but not entirely confident, I will be able to afford my college education and ultimately given the opportunity to share my passion and talents with the world.”

Knowing Connie Payton-Nevels as we do, we know Connie will be a champion of her amazing grandnieces as they work through their college programs, giving them both, “the courage to dig deep and stay focused,” as they set sail into their own futures.

Two Legacy Scholarship Super Stars in the Spring of 2023

Jaeda Barrett

Daryanna Barrett