The Lorri Ann Burgess (The L.A.B) Foundation

About Lorri

Lorri Ann Burgess, was a former Metro Councilwoman, the first African American Mayor Pro-Tempore for the city of Baton Rouge Louisiana and the Chief Operating Officer of the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation of South Louisiana. She passed away January 15, 2020 at the age of 56.

Lorri was very passionate and committed to the citizens of Baton Rouge, especially those in South Baton Rouge’s District 10 where she served as a city Council Woman. Lorri served District 10 as Metro Councilwoman for 12 years, of which four she served in the historic role as the “first African American female Mayor Pro-Tempore for the City of Baton Rouge” as well as a member of the Capital Improvements and Finance and Executive Committees.
She invested her efforts lobbying for community development, revitalization, and the enrichment of its residents through efforts like head-start, access to emergency services, senior services, access to healthcare, road expansion and improvement and many other initiatives.

Lorri was committed to public service. This commitment was evident in her participation in impacting change and expanding her knowledge to serve. She served as a Board Member of Louisiana Technology Park, Baton Rouge Center for World Affairs, the Greater Baton Rouge Port Commission and Pennington Biomedical Research Center. During her tenure at the Port Commission, she served as “the first African-American chairwoman” for the authority. Lorri was a strong supporter of the YWCA Encore Plus, Sisters Supporting Sisters and HIV/AIDS Education. Some of Lorri’s notable initiatives were the Camp 10 Summer Computer Camp and the Summer Reading Program for elementary children in District 10. She also was the innovator of a model Exercise Program for Senior Citizens which is now called the Sensational Seniors. Lorri traveled throughout the United States of America, Puerto Rico, Canada and Europe to learn, interact, collaborate, and expand resources to allow her to serve her community more efficiently.

Under her leadership as the Chief Operating Officer of the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation of South Louisiana, Lorri fought as a staunch advocate for those stricken with the Sickle Cell Disease. The foundation annually increased the number of clients that participated in the program. Lorri extended the reach of the foundation through her unique and innovative fund- raising initiatives such as the annual Ryan’s Run and an annual Golf Tournament. She implemented new programs that have earned the Foundation national recognition for being the most improved sickle cell foundation in the United States.

Lorri’s legacy will not only continue through this foundation, but through the following vehicles that have been established and or occurred since her passing:

1. The Lorri Burgess Scholarship Fund – (interested candidates will be able to apply on this site – see the scholarship section)

2. The Lorri Burgess Law – signed into law on August 4, 2022 by Louisiana Governor, John Bell Edwards that ensures annual review of treatment protocol, quality of care and health equity for patients with Sickle Cell Anemia

3. Lorri Burgess Ave – a street renamed in her honor in the center of her beloved District 10