Lauren A.K. Darnell is doing groundbreaking work to cultivate a more inclusive and equitable future. Born in Lafayette, LA., raised in New Orleans and wired for pioneering.

Her family history includes escaping hurricanes and the pursuit through time of making a way out of no way. She is the daughter of a civil servant, attorney, and a costume designer who in 1969 became the first Black Creole Crawfish Queen of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. Lauren dissolves barriers, She is a strategic planner and community builder.

As Executive Director of Made in New Orleans (MiNO) Foundation, her work is centered on increasing access for the advancement of BIPOC hospitality professionals and creating a more equitable industry for all. She is a passionate advocate, promoting equity and consulting for business owners. Her work is anchored by the ability to find and carve a path forward.

Lauren founded Porch & Okra Consulting that offers leadership consulting and provides customized professional development supports to foster healthy, strong team culture and climate across industries.

Porch & Okra Consulting (POC) serves profit and nonprofit leaders and organizations through coaching, evaluation, training, advising, and a resource connection that enables clients to sustain transformative work environments with a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging foundation. 

Lauren is enriched by connecting with others and holding the space for others to have a fuller expression of themselves. As a trained adult and children's yoga teacher since 2009 and life long study of movement and well-being, she believes in meeting people where they are and sees it as a privilege to do so.

A 2023 James Beard Foundation Leadership Awards Judge and co-host of digital Food Series Love to Eat NOLA, a member of the New Orleans Food and Policy Advocacy Committee, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation Policy Committee, and New Orleans chapter of Les Dames D’Escoffier International. Lauren’s leadership is rooted in community building. In 2021, she received the Ella Brennan “Stand Up For Your Hometown” Award and the Essence “Essential Heroes” Award. In 2023, she joined Wild Terrains as New Orleans Trip Leader assisting in women centered travel to New Orleans supporting women and BIPOC owned businesses.

Lauren has an upcoming chapter with University of New Orleans Professor, David Berris to be published in Fall 2024 in the upcoming book Chefs, Restaurants and Sustainability covering “Sustainability, Race, and Culture in New Orleans Restaurants in the Wake of the Pandemic.” Lauren holds a Bachelor of Arts from University of New Orleans in Anthropology and Women’s Studies.

For speaking opportunities and or consulting work email lauren@porchandokra.com.

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