They’re young, they’re hip, each successful in their chosen field and they’re committed – to New Orleans and to The Pro Bono Project. Gary Solomon, Jr., (l) and Seth Bloom, Esq., (r) may be considered the proverbial ‘men about town’ – but don’t let that fool you. The two are committed to leading this city forward and bringing about positive change in whatever way they can.
These two young men sit on the boards of various nonprofits around town and are making their marks both within their chosen professions, and in the pro bono time they give to the community.
Gary Solomon, Jr. returned to New Orleans after earning a degree in Theatre Arts from New York University’s prestigious Tisch School of the Arts. Like his father and grandfather before him, Gary was destined to run his own business, and with co-founders, Jonathan Foucheaux and Stephen Fink, they’ve turned Solomon Group into a powerhouse event production company, causing the entertainment and business world to sit up and take notice.
Their local clients include the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, The National WWII Museum, Tulane University, The City of New Orleans and The Audubon Nature Institute. Nationally, Solomon Group has created and partnered on events that include ESSENCE Festival, the NFL Draft, Super Bowl XLVII, The Miss USA Competition, College Football Playoff, Lollapalooza and the recent, live, Palm Sunday broadcast of “THE PASSION” for dick clark productions and FOX.
“We create unforgettable experiences -- that’s what we do at Solomon Group, and it’s what I hope to do each time I get involved with a community organization. I have a passion for my work and for New Orleans, which inspires and allows me to give back in ways that make sense. What I see in those who work and volunteer with The Project is the same kind of passion, and I want to support that,” says Gary.
Seth Bloom, Esq. is a native of Jacksonville, FL but has longtime family ties to New Orleans. It’s no surprise that he came here to attend Loyola University College of Law, after graduating from the University of Florida. While he’s an intense Florida Gators fan, he also has season tickets to both Tulane University and New Orleans Saints football games – he knows what it means to be a ‘local.’
Early in his law career, Seth jumped in to do volunteer work at The Pro Bono Project – it’s an experience he never forgot and when the opportunity to serve as Honorary Co-Chair came to him – he said yes without hesitation.
“I saw firsthand the civil legal needs of those who are less fortunate, and it made me appreciate the opportunities I’ve had. Whether it’s civil law, or, in the case of my criminal law practice, when someone can not afford a good attorney – their life and the lives of their loved ones are going to change. The Pro Bono Project makes a difference for many families, seniors, children and other individuals within our community. As attorneys, we have the skills and talent to be a part of that difference,” said Seth.
In addition to running a successful criminal defense firm, Bloom Legal, LLC, Seth serves as the Orleans Parish School Board District 5 representative, and for the past two years, was selected by his fellow board members as board president. He’s passionate about education, something he got from his mom, Tricia, who was a schoolteacher and taught him early on that a good education can change the course of someone’s life. As a result, he’s very involved in how education can help keep our youth on the right path and what can be done within the juvenile justice system to redirect the energies of our young people using education and learning models.
Both Gary and Seth have set the bar high for themselves in their chosen professions and in their community involvement. The Pro Bono Project is pleased to be counted among their many endeavors – we’re holding them to their word and setting the bar high for this year’s Justice For All Ball and Patron Party honorary co-chairs.
Read the media release: JFAB 2016 Honorary Co-Chairs