NEWS

Lake Forest Boulevard and Wright Road, in the neighborhood where he grew up, will carry the name of a young public servant whom council members described as already making a difference.

By Kim M. Braud | October 3, 2026

NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans City Council on Thursday designated the intersection of Lake Forest Boulevard and Wright Road as the "Taj Rudolph Honorary Intersection," honoring a 25-year-old neighborhood liaison for the City of New Orleans who served his home community of District E.

Motion M-26-423, introduced by District E Councilmember Jason Hughes, passed seven to zero. At Hughes' request, all seven council members were added as authors.

Hughes also announced that the District E Youth Advisory Council will be renamed the Taj Rudolph District E Youth Advisory Council.

Rudolph's family came to the front of the chamber as Hughes introduced the item.

A sudden diagnosis

Rudolph died in September after going into cardiac arrest, WWL reported. While he was hospitalized at University Medical Center New Orleans, doctors diagnosed Brugada syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that can disrupt the heart's rhythm. His family later made the decision to remove him from life support.

Rudolph was a registered organ donor. Family and friends gathered outside the hospital for a prayer service and raised a flag marking his decision. His godfather, Kory Dupree, stated "That was the type of human being that he was."

His family, including his mother, Chiquilla Martin, plans to start a foundation in his name to raise awareness of heart disease. Dr. Jameel Ahmed, a cardiologist with LSU Health New Orleans, told the station that because Brugada syndrome is genetic, close relatives of anyone diagnosed should be tested.

"Taj was already making a difference"

"I know when we think of the term public servant, we often think of elected officials," Hughes said, "but few people in this life have I met that has impacted this world at such a young age."

Hughes said he knew Rudolph before he was ever elected. "An image I will never get out of my head is Taj's smile," he said. "Every time you saw Taj, he would literally light up a room."

After taking office, Hughes said, he wanted to hire Rudolph, and Rudolph was eager to join his staff. Budget constraints kept that from happening. Hughes said that whenever they crossed paths afterward, he would tell Rudolph he still hoped to bring him on, and Rudolph would answer, "I'm ready. I'm ready."

Hughes said he didn't want to speak only of Rudolph's potential. "At just 25 years old, he had already made public service a part of his life," he said, through his work as a neighborhood liaison for the city in District E.

"We often talk about young people as leaders of tomorrow," Hughes said. "Taj reminds us that we need to recognize and value the contributions that they are making today."

We often talk about young people as leaders of tomorrow. Taj reminds us that we need to recognize and value the contributions that they are making today.

He explained why he chose an honorary street sign. "My hope is that his name will prompt a question: Who was Taj Rudolph?" Hughes said. "And that we will keep answering with his story, with the work he did, and with the example that he left."

"I wish we were celebrating this moment with Taj sitting here beside you," he told the family, "and I wish I could tell him one last time how proud I was of him."

The family speaks

Jayla Martin read remarks on behalf of her father, Jerry Martin, who has been part of Rudolph's life since Rudolph was about 2 years old.

He wrote that he had watched Rudolph grow "from this goofy prankster that thought everything was funny into this more serious young adult," and then "get bit by the community service and city government bug."

Rudolph was especially invested in New Orleans East, the statement said. Whenever he had a community service event, he sent so many texts recruiting help that Martin thought they were robotexts.

"It's truly a tremendous honor," the statement said.

Rudolph's father spoke next. "He was raised early to praise God, family, and service first in his life," he said. "One of his main goals was to improve the quality of life for others in New Orleans."

He said his son loved family gatherings, Saints games, and outdoor activities with his grandparents when they visited New Orleans. He asked the room to follow Rudolph's example.

"I would like to suggest we all find a path to contribute back to our city," he said, "whatever district you represent or reside in, like the works he performed in District E." That, he said, is what Taj, known to family as "Tuki," would have wanted.

"Your works will never be forgotten, Taj," he said. "Long live Taj."

The council's remarks

District D Councilmember Eugene J. Green Jr. said he would think of Rudolph every time he passed the intersection. He noted Rudolph's service at City Hall and his organ donation. "So much was accomplished," Green said of a life that was too short.

District C Councilmember Freddie King III spoke to the family about his own loss. His younger sister died at 20 from a rare blood cancer, he said, and his family is still grieving. "I know the pain," King said. "I sympathize with you. I empathize with you."

Vice President Matthew Willard returned to the organ donation. "Even in his passing, he gave back," Willard said.

Even in his passing, he gave back.

Willard said Rudolph stepped up during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. He also worked to prepare the next generation through the city's Civic Leadership Academy, an eight-week program run by the Mayor's Office that introduces residents to how city government works. Willard said Rudolph "encouraged people to see themselves as leaders, which is also very rare."

"He believed in showing up for people," Willard said. "Naming this intersection after Taj is the most fitting way to recognize his life of service."

Before the vote, Hughes presented the family with a token from the council.

"Every time I pass the intersection of Wright Road and Lake Forest Boulevard, in the middle of the neighborhood where Taj grew up," Hughes said, "we will forever speak his name."

Where to verify

Motion M-26-423 appears as item 38 on the agenda for the Oct. 1, 2026 regular meeting. The designation was made under Section 146-762 of the City Code. The agenda, motion text and meeting video are available through the council's Granicus archive at council.nola.gov. Details of Rudolph's diagnosis and death are from WWL report.

Photos

Additional photos of the event can be viewed on our GALLERY

Kim M. Braud is the Founder & Editor of Evans Cutchmore Press, an independent newsroom covering Louisiana and the Gulf South. Her reporting focuses on government accountability, infrastructure, business, culture, and the public policies that shape communities.

© 2026 Evans Cutchmore Press. All rights reserved.