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Mr. Stephen Foster is the 2020 recipient of the Donald Meade Legacy Jazz  Griot Award. He is a native New Orleanian, Music educator, musician, and  arranger. He is a product of St. Augustine High School, University of  Arkansas - Pine Bluff, Loyola University, and Band Director’s Academy Jazz at Lincoln Center. Stephen’s inspiration hails from studying  Conducting/Orchestration under the tutelage of Dr. Ernest G. Chachere.  He founded the Children’s Academy of Music in 1975 in Los Angeles, CA. He also founded the Mid-City Full Arts Workshop,  Foster Family programs in New Orleans, LA, and developed the Jazz education curriculum for  Stax Music Academy, in Memphis, Tennessee.  He is a board member for AAJC and a member of the original planning committee for Quincy Jones Muzik  Consortium. Using a holistic approach, he has inspired thousands of students over 49 years to become viable, contributing professionals in  our society.

Notable Awards:

• The WDSU Channel 6 "Making a Difference" Award (1988)
• The Data News Weekly / Entergy Corporation Trail Blazer of the Year" Award (1998)
• Lifetime Achievement Award The Jazz Foundation of America, New York, New York, at the Apollo Theater in Harlem (2010)
• The Donald Meade Jazz Legacy Griot Award presented by The African American Jazz Caucus (2020)

Notable Committee Services and Involvement:

• The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Multicultural Task Force (1996)
• The Big Easy Kiwanis Club, Member
• The Grammy Recording Academy, Member

Mr. Foster currently serves as Director of St. Augustine High School New Orleans Jazz Orchestra.