MEET OT

The Honorable Oliver Thomas was elected in 2021 to serve as Councilmember of District “E” - Orleans Parish. As the citizens' voice of District “E”, Oliver relies heavily on his experiences as a servant leader, to evaluate the needs of every resident, seamlessly integrating resources, and diligently performing his duties with his constituents’ priorities clearly at the forefront of his office's agenda.


Oliver, affectionately known as “OT," is a native of New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward, a historic community located within the district he now serves. The son of a laborer and telephone operator, his life has been rooted in hard work, constituent relations, and a genuine commitment to improving the lives of others.

Oliver Thomas wearing a blue suit and glasses is standing with his hands folded.
Oliver Thomas is standing at a podium with a sign that says celebrating n2k24 comebacks

Early in life, Oliver established a proven track record of effective and efficient leadership. While attending Joseph S. Clark Senior High School in New Orleans, he dominated the athletics arena as a true student athlete, earning him a scholarship. Upon graduating from Joseph S. Clark, he went on to receive a bachelor's degree in Business Studies from the College of Santa Fe, a liberal arts institution in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Continuing his studies, Oliver attended the Aspen Institute, in our nation’s capital, satisfying his thirst for knowledge while bolstering his aptitude for critical thinking concepts. Additionally, Oliver successfully completed the Kennedy School Executive Program for state and local leaders at the prestigious Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

After several years as an account executive, Oliver returned to New Orleans, driven by his deep love for his hometown. Upon his return, he channeled his professional skills and passion for giving back into public service. Oliver quickly established himself as a dedicated community leader, launching his political career with the Black Organization for Leadership Development (B.O.L.D.), a group committed to uplifting the community through meaningful political engagement and advocacy.


A protégé of longtime City Councilmember and B.O.L.D. leader, Jim Singleton, he was appointed as a legislative aide serving under then Councilmember Singleton, in 1986. “OT” would also hold positions as the Capital Projects Manager for the City's Downtown Development District, and as a property manager within the private sector. Ripened to ascend to higher levels in politics, Oliver later succeeded Jim Singleton in 1994 to become the next New Orleans City Councilmember for District “B”, kicking off years of dedication to public service. He was re-elected with 90% of the vote share. After serving two terms, he was elected as City Councilmember At-Large in 2002, and re-elected in 2006.


Following his time away from New Orleans politics, Oliver returned to his hometown and ran a successful campaign to represent his home district, District "E," which includes the Lower Ninth Ward and New Orleans East, in 2021.

Since his return to politics, Oliver has been focusing on improving quality of life and opportunity in District E. His initiatives show a focus on revitalizing underserved areas and promoting a positive image of his district by bolstering economic development, housing, infrastructure improvements, and other developments.

  • Education
    • New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute, Summer 2000
    • The Aspen Institute Seminar Program, Summer 1998
    • Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government's Program For Senior Executives in State and Local Government, Summer 1997
    • Metropolitan Area Committee, Leadership Forum, 1993
    • Loyola University's Institute of Politics, Fellow, 1993
    • College of Santa Fe, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Spring 1978
    • Joseph S. Clark Senior High School, 1974
  • City Council Committees

    Current committees

    • Chairman, Criminal Justice Committee 
    • Chairman, Public Works, Sanitation and Environment Committee
    • Member, Budget, Audit, and Board of Review Committee
    • Member, Climate Change and Sustainability Committee
    • Member, Economic Development and Special Development Projects Committee
    • Member, Orleans Parish Board of Review
    • Member, Quality of Life Committee
    • Member, Utility, Cable, Telecommunications and Technology Committee

    Previous committees

    • Chairman, Housing and Human Needs
    • Chairman, Utility Committee
    • Chairman, Election Code  and  Reapportionment
    • Member, Sewerage and Water Board
    • Member, Recreation
    • Member, Official Journal & New Orleans Register Ordinances
    • Member, Union Passenger Terminal
    • Member, Public Works
    • Member, Ground Transportation
    • Member Special Development Projects
    • Member, Cable & Telecommunications
    • Member, Government Affairs
    • Alternate, Budget, Audit & Board of Review
    • Alternate, Sanitation & Environmental Enforcement
  • Honors
    • Decade of Governmental Impact- First 72+
    • Certificate of appreciation- Guest Speaker at Young Audience Charter School 2024 Graduation Ceremony
    • Recovery Champion- NOLA Recovery 2024
    • 2024 King for the 30th Anniversary of the Treme Sidewalk Steppers TSS6
    • Certificate of appreciation- Excite All Stars 2024 Keynote Speaker for Induction ceremony
    • Grand Marshal- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration 2024
    • Lifetime Existence Award- Network Coalition 2023 
    • Making a Difference- A community voice 2023
    • Certificate of appreciation, 2023 George V. Rainey Golden Nugget Linda Gras Festival
    • Certificate of appreciation- Participation in the Criminal Justice Academy at Dr Martin Luther King Charter High School 2022 
    • Plaque for dedication and commitment to the The Elijah Brimmer Jr Foundation- 2022
    • Hero Award- The Westbank Men of Distinction 2022
    • Champions Award- Lower 9 Senior Center 2022
    • Certificate of appreciation- Special Guest Speaker at the 2022 Honors and Awards Day Program at Southern University at New Orleans
    • Pythian Hall of Fame- Lawless High School 2021
    • Humanitarian of the Year Award, NFL Mothers Association, 2006
    • Recognition for Giving Time and Support to Those in Need, New Home Ministries, 2006
    • Distinguished Service Award, St. Augustine High School Alumni Association, 2006
    • Dedicated Service to the Community, Sister of the Holy Family, 2002
    • Endorsed by Forum For Equality, 2002
    • Voted Best of New Orleans by Gambit Weekly, 2002
    • A Few Good Men Award, Oretha Castle Haley Merchants Association, 2000
    • Award of Excellence, Tulane University Project Return  Alumni, 2000
    • Can Do Anything Anywhere Award, 377th Support Command, 1999
    • Acorn Dedication Award, 1998
    • Outstanding Support Alfred Lawless Senior High School, 1998
    • Distinguished Service, Title I, 1997
    • Un Sung Hero Award, Clouet Ministerial Alliance, 1997
    • Macy's Follow A Leader Award, 1997
    • Legislator of the Year, Alliance for Good Government, 1997
    • Outstanding Community Service Award, Joseph S. Clark Senior High School, 1996
    • Black Role Model Award, Guiding Light Missionary Baptist Church, 1996
    • Outstanding Service Award, Knights of  Columbus, 1996
    • Humanitarian Award, St. Mark's Missionary Baptist Church, 1995
    • Outstanding Leadership, World of Work Academy, 1995
    • Community Award B.W. Cooper Housing Development, 1995
    • Outstanding Legislator, Victims and Citizens Against Crime, 1995
    • Community Achievement Award, La. Department of Economic Development, 1995
    • 50 People to Watch, New Orleans Magazine and WWL 870 Radio, 1994-95
    • Community Dedication Award, Mount Zion United Methodist Church, 1994
    • Outstanding Role Model Award, F. J. Chester Elementary School, 1994
    • WDSU Jefferson Award for Community Service, 1993
    • Outstanding Achievement & Sportsmanship,  Prep All- American Basketball Honors, 1973-74
    • Winner of the Philadelphia Service Award for Mentoring (National Award) 
    • Honored by NFL and NFL Moms for rescue efforts during Katrina
    • Past King of the Buck Jumpers Second line Organization 
    • Elected into Dillard University Blue Flame Society
    • Man of the Year, New Orleans Black Social Workers
    • Appreciation for Support & Dedication, Orleans Parish Juvenile Justice Intervention Center
  • Organizations
    • Co-Founder, Boys to Men Mentoring Program
    • Co-Founder, Conflict Resolution Task Force
    • Organizer, Parking Task Force
    • Established District AB@ Mentoring Program
    • Established Walter L. Cohen HS’s after-school program
    • Created Youth Literacy Coalition
    • American Association of Blacks in Energy
  • Boards
    • Rivergate Development Corporation
    • N. O. Tourism Marketing Corporation
    • N. O. Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau
    • New Orleans Home Mortgage Authority (Former Chairman)
    • Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals
    • Boys to Men Mentoring Program (Co-Founder)
    • Broadmoor Improvement Association
    • Dryades YMCA
    • Kingsley House
    • Bridge House
    • Volunteers of America
    • Blood Center of Southeast Louisiana
    • Reducing Alcohol Availability to Youth Program
    • Each One Save One
    • Southern Eye Bank
    • Touro Hospital
    • Grace House of New Orleans (Advisory)
    • Central City Partnership
    • Knights of Columbus 
    • Friends of St. Alphonsus (Advisory)
    • Junior League (Advisory)
    • Adoption 2000 Initiative Task Force
    • Tulane University Project Return
    • Armstrong, Inc.
    • Youthanasia (Advisory)
    • Substance Abuse Services Alliance (Advisory)
    • YMCA Educational Services Board of Managers
    • Fore Kids Foundation
    • Leukemia Society of America Board of Trustees
    • St. Charles General Hospital
    • Communities in Schools of New Orleans
    • New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity (Advisory)
    • National Association of Black County Officials (NABCO)
    • New Orleans Neighborhood Development Collaborative (NONDC)
    • Louisiana Municipal Black Caucus Association (LMBCA), Member
    • Turning Points Academy (Advisory)
    • Operation Comeback
    • Total Community Action (TCA)
    • French Market Corporation
    • New Orleans Saints Community Affairs (Advisory)
    • New Orleans East Economic Development Committee (Advisory)
    • World Trade Center of New Orleans 
    • Booker T. Washington School Based Health Clinic (Advisory)
    • Stanley Scott Cancer Center
    • Regional Planning Commission
    • Committee for New Orleans East Economic Development Plan (Advisory)
    • Louisiana NFL Stadium Commission (Advisory)
    • 1st Tee Chapter of New Orleans, Joe Bartholomew Golf Course
    • East West Corridor Highway Technical Committee (Advisory)
    • Member Blacks in Government
    • New Orleans Youth Restoration Project (Advisory)
    • New Orleans School Health Advisory Council
    • Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Recreation