Angela Shiloh Cryer, Founding Executive Director at STRIVE New Orleans

Angela Shiloh Cryer has lived in New Orleans all her life, a city known for its distinct culture, music, food, and vibrant history. Ms. Shiloh Cryer has over 35 years’ experience in administration, and implementation of federal and state programs, and has worked in the nonprofit area for over 25 years. She thrives on being a change agent by continually improving processes and systems and serving as a voice for the voiceless in her community. 

Over the course of Ms. Shiloh Cryer’s career, she has been an advocate for people living with HIV/AIDS, under and unemployed, opportunity youth, returning citizens, domestic violence survivors, the unhoused, and individuals with mental health/ substance issues. Ms. Shiloh Cryer has a passion for working in her community with a primary focus on equitable systems change in re-entry and workforce development. 

Angela Shiloh Cryer comes to STRIVE from New Orleans Business Alliance (NOLABA), the official economic development organization for the City of New Orleans. Ms. Shiloh Cryer served as the Senior Director of Advancing Cities/Talent Partnerships where she served as the project manager for a $5 million philanthropic grant. The goal of the grant was to create a seamless pipeline to identify and train under and unemployed individuals in high growth jobs and connect business to potential employees with technical skills necessary to succeed in the industry. 

Over the course of the last three years the impact of systems changes increased access for individuals and small businesses to fully benefit from economic opportunities available in our blue/green economy. Ms. Shiloh Cryer also provides strategic management of employer partnerships with local workforce development agencies. 

Ms. Shiloh Cryer has a Bachelor of Criminal Justice from Louisiana State University and a Master of Social Work from Southern University at New Orleans where Ms. Shiloh Cryer has been an Adjunct Professor at their School of Social Work for over 20 years.