AMAS Foundation

It’s Sad to Say Goodbye

I organized the AMAS Foundation in the Summer of 2023. We operated at 941 Teche St. in Algiers up to August of 2026.

 

I personally did everything that I could and gave my all to try to make AMAS a success. We weren’t able to sustain operations because we just could not get the financial support we needed to continue on.

 

But while we operated, we truly were a success and we made a big contribution to our local community. We brought music, laughter and community back to Algiers in a big way.

 

  • We held forty-seven jazz, soul and R&B concerts featuring some of New Orleans’ finest musicians;
  • We hosted thirty-three Education events, including the After School Study Hall and our acclaimed After School Music Class series;
  • We hosted twenty Community Events, such as our annual Back to School Drive, Movie Night and Community Improv Night;
  • We held eight Art events; and
  • We held two Annual “Christmas in July”  Back-to-School Celebration for the kids and parents to enjoy.

I plan to stay in the area and will keep the Foundation open until the end of 2026. 

 

If anyone has any serious ideas about how we can bring AMAS back to life, please feel to reach out to me through the website’s Contact Form.

 

Peace,

Kala

Our Mission

The AMAS Foundation is a Louisiana 501c3, non-profit corporation. It is a labor of love born out of a heartfelt desire to preserve and celebrate the rich history and culture of New Orleans. 
 
AMAS empowers the underserved communities of the West Bank by fostering a vibrant and inclusive hub for music, arts, education, and personal development. By offering a welcoming space for artistic expression, skill development, and community engagement, AMAS helps bridge the gap between the rich cultural heritage of New Orleans and its future. With your support, we will ensure that every individual, regardless of background, has the tools to thrive.
 
We work to operate a thriving community center that fosters music, arts, education, and personal development. Our goal is to provide a safe, inclusive, and diverse space where artistic adults, people of color, musicians and artists can develop their skills, access resources, and engage with the community.
 
We will actively involve participants in community service projects and events, collaborating with local businesses, schools, and organizations to broaden opportunities and instill a sense of social responsibility.
 
The AMAS Foundation aims to achieve measurable outcomes that benefit the community, including:
 
  • Increased access to educational and artistic resources;
  • Enhanced community engagement and social responsibility;
  • Improved mental and physical health through wellness initiatives; and
  • Greater opportunities for skill development and personal growth.

Leadership

Executive Director 

 

Karl “Kala” Roy

Kala has a 25-year history of success in the construction, real estate development and entertainment industries. He has worked across much of the Western United States, building and renovating homes in Maui, Hawaii; Los Angeles and Phoenix. He also operated one of the most popular nightclubs in Kihei, Maui for a number of years during the early 2000’s. After spending significant time in New Orleans in 2012, he returned often, enamored by the area’s people and culture. In 2021, he donated his time and resources to contribute to rebuilding the community, post-Hurricane Ida. It was love at first sight for him when he visited the Old Algiers community, and he then decided to make it his home. Seeing an opportunity to establish strong community roots, he bought and began renovation on the historic building at 935-941 Teche Street. which is now home to AMAS.