Dyan French Cole, known as Mama D, is a long-standing community activist in New Orleans. She stayed in her Seventh Ward home through out
Hurricane Katrina and began working immediately after the storm to provide
basic supplies for the community, clean up her neighborhood and prevent houses from being demolished. Mama D and her volunteer crew the Soul Patrol distribute free food and supplies out of her basement, and help neighbors gut and clean their homes. In December 2005 Mama D testified in front of the congressional commission to examine the Federal, State, and local response to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina.

Pa, one of Mama D's neighbors, speaks with Duke student Alexis Vaughan at Mama D's house.