THE KREWE OF HARMONIA ANNOUNCE QUEEN HARMONIA III
Dr. Camacia Smith-Ross to Hail as Queen
KREWE SEASON BEGINS WITH WEEKEND OF EVENTS
NEW ORLEANS – The Krewe of Harmonia (KOH) founded in 2020, is a female carnival krewe dedicated to modern, forward thinking carnival values rooted in social responsibility.
The krewe opened the 2023-2024 season with the KOH Summer Extravaganza Weekend, featuring their annual KOH Mid-Summer Ball, which took place on Sat. July 30.
“I am proud to kick off another year with these ladies. It’s been a rewarding year of giving back to our community and celebrating a sisterhood that is as diverse as the city of New Orleans. We are proud to be changemakers, leading in Carnival history and I look forward to what the future holds for Harmonia.” said Chantell “Chan” Reed, captain.
The illustrious affair at The Fillmore featured a VIP reception, buffet style dinner, open bar and live entertainment. This year’s theme, “The Future is Harmonia” paid homage to the krewe’s charter members and the impact that the krewe will have on the future of Mardi Gras culture.
In its third year, the ball serves as an annual opportunity to bring krewe members from across the country together for revelry, community service and to announce the queen select. Hailing as Queen Harmonia III is this year’s queen select, Camacia Smith-Ross, Ed.D., chief of staff at Southern University at New Orleans. A career instructional leader, Ross has a demonstrated track record in fundraising, curriculum/program development in higher education, and achieving positive trends in enrollment, retention, and matriculation for at-risk students and communities.
“We are so proud to present Queen Harmonia III, Dr. Camacia Smith-Ross. Dr. Ross is the embodiment of grace and eloquence with an unyielding dedication of service to her community and her Harmonia sisters.” said Reed “Her reign will reflect the true spirit of the Harmonia sisterhood.
A charter member of KOH, Ross has been active in krewe projects since the krewe’s inception. A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Ross is active in the community, serving on the board of directors of the outreach ministry at Grant Chapel Church and fundraising for higher education initiatives.
Ross, has a robust career in higher education, having served as a program director, assistant professor and dean at institutions to include Dillard University, Southern University and A&M College, Southern University at New Orleans and Louisiana College; where she served as Dean of Education, the first African American to hold this role in the college’s 109-year history.
An accomplished leader, Smith-Ross is a graduate of Southern University A&M College where she received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of New Orleans. Ross has a doctorate degree in Organizational Leadership in Higher Education from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Ross will be crowned Queen Harmonia III in November at the krewe’s coronation.
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About the Krewe of Harmonia
Established in 2020, the purpose of the Krewe of Harmonia is to connect a group of diverse women with a mission to bring women of all backgrounds together in an environment to celebrate Carnival, but also build lifelong bonds and friendships. KOH is a krewe to making Carnival greener by committed to incorporating sustainable throws while parading. KOH was the first krewe to discontinue throwing what has come to be known as the traditional carnival bead, by pivoting to glass beads, handcrafted beaded throws and beads that can be recycled. Learn more about KOH at www.kreweofharmonia.org.