A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE
Big Easy Magazine is the online home for progressive New Orleans. Our publication features original content published both weekly and monthly. The issues we cover are not always unique, but our coverage is unique in the way we approach them. We examine the issues we cover—from race to politics and from LGBTQ issues to the environment, through the eyes of the people of New Orleans.
UNAPOLOGETICALLY PROGRESSIVE
From the beginning, we have proudly stated that we are a progressive publication. We see the world through a progressive lens, and we believe in such values as love and inclusiveness. We only state facts, and we will never mislead our readers. But at Big Easy Magazine, we are unapologetically progressive.
MISSION STATEMENT
For a city under threat from water, for a city that stays up all night, in a world in need of different perspectives. With insight and introspection, we strive to deliver thorough and thoughtful coverage with a progressive voice about the issues that truly matter to the New Orleans community.
CORE VALUES
Big Easy Magazine is guided daily by the following core values:
Kindness
Compassion
Equality
Love
Justice
Inclusiveness
OUR TEAM
Scott Ploof is a former political candidate, writer, and advocate. He holds an MBA from Southeastern Louisiana University. In 2018, he launched Big Easy Magazine in an effort to give people a platform to use their voices to create meaningful change in their respective communities throughout the Greater New Orleans area.
Nolan Storey- Founding Editorial Board Member / Staff Writer
Nolan Storey has lived in New Orleans for 10 years. He fell in love with this city as he received his bachelors in English at Loyola University New Orleans in 2012. Since then, he has gone on to publish four books, including three books of poetry (some of which is on this site)! He is currently finishing up his Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Michael Raso – Contributing Writer
Born a Midwesterner but raised in a small town in Central Louisiana, Michael Raso earned a Bachelor’s in communication from went on to go to school at UL at Lafayette. He currently covers breaking news, politics and creates satire for Big Easy Magazine. He’s currently shopping his latest book, tentatively titled “The Black House” For more information, go to michaeldraso.com.
Candice Battiste – Contributing Writer
Battiste’s roots extend from Shreveport to New Orleans. She is currently the North Louisiana organizer for Power Coalition for Equity and Justice. She is an alum of Louisiana State University and earned her juris doctorate from Southern University Law Center. Candice serves on a number of statewide and local boards centered civil rights, economic empowerment, and racial equity. When Candice is not working to affect positive change, she is traveling or can be found at one of Louisiana’s many food and music festivals.
Raegan A Carter – Contributing Writer
Raegan A Carter is a Public Health Policy Consultant, Adjunct Professor at Southern University-BR and a Politico. Raegan works on social justice, reproductive justice, health access and equity and racial justice policy issues and issues that directly or indirectly intersect. Raegan is highly experienced, passionate and dedicated to impact policy change that improves the lives of women, children and families, particularly Black women and communities of color, and all who are disproportionately impacted.
Asad El Malik- Contributing Writer
Asad El Malik is an ethnographer, author, and researcher. He is currently a PhD candidate in Intercultural Relations. His research centers on the use of religious/cultural practices in mental health treatment. Asad is a New Orleans native and a proud husband and father.
Helen Lewis- Contributing Writer
Helen Lewis is a writer who graduated from Tulane University with a BA in English and a minor in Management. She works as a natural health and lifestyle content writer and editor, along with reporting on local New Orleans news for Big Easy Magazine. Her focus in reporting is social justice issues, health topics, and New Orleans culture.
Giselle Dussel- Contributing writer
Giselle P. Dussel is a Latina writer with a degree in International Business. She is a contributing writer for Big Easy Magazine, a climate activist and a stay-at-home mother.
Richard G. Windmann – Contributing writer
Richard G. Windmann is a native son of New Orleans, and describes himself as “Proud Baratarian and a Helluva Nice Guy.” He is a Computer Scientist, and works for IBM. He is also the co-founder and President of Survivors of Childhood Sex Abuse (SCSA), a 501(c)(3) advocacy organization that provides free support to victims and survivors of childhood sex abuse and their families. He is a devout Catholic who is hell-bent on saving his church. He is also a loving husband, father and grandfather.
