Shamyra Lavigne-Davey is the Executive Assistant to the Founder/Director at RISE St. James Louisiana, a faith-based grassroots nonprofit organization fighting for the eradication of petrochemical buildout and expansion in the river parishes, also known as “Cancer Alley”.
As a native of St. James, Louisiana and a third generation Human Rights activist, Shamyra is a leader amongst her peers, using her voice and platform to shine light on the devastation occurring in her community due to the petrochemical buildout.
Outside of her duties as an Executive Assistant, Shamyra leads the youth and intern initiatives at RISE St. James. Through in-person seminars, facilitating in-person internships, community tours, educational activity books, and more, Shamyra energizes the youth to get involved in community organizing, environmental education, advocacy, and voting when applicable. In 2021, Shamyra created the organization’s first Black History Month essay contest, which went on to become an annual essay contest at RISE St. James, encouraging youth to explore Black American history and environmental justice to develop a deeper understanding of the river parishes in Louisiana.
Shamyra’s steadfast contribution to environmental justice advocacy was recognized by her being named a 2023 Young, Gifted, and Green 40 Under 40 Award recipient.
Shamyra’s aspirations were realized when she became the first person at RISE St. James to be featured as a 2023 and 2024 Essence Festival of Culture featured panelist. Shamyra is also the youngest African American woman from St. James, Louisiana to be selected to speak on environmental justice at the Essence Festival of Culture.
Shamyra currently serves as an Advisor on the Conceptual Committee at the Frontline Resource Institute (FRI), where she helps guide the direction and mission of FRI, which specializes in being a trusted resource for frontline organizations.
Prior to her work at RISE St. James, Shamyra, a Southern University and A&M College graduate, lived out her passion for helping others by working with children and adults diagnosed with mental health disorders as a Mental Health Specialist at Lighthouse Community Care. Her superior and compassionate service of clients resulted in Shamyra being promoted to Assistant Program Manager, where she conducted clinical assessments for patient intake, working directly under the Program Manager.
In June 2020, Shamyra became a Certified Life Coach and launched her own private coaching business, Shamyra Elizabeth Coaching, LLC, with a focus on adults struggling with anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.
Shamyra and her husband, Rohan Davey, jointly started a catering business, Quick 6 Catering, serving authentic Jamaican cuisine at private social and sporting events in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
It is the privilege of Shamyra’s life to serve God’s people and advocate for human rights on behalf of the people of St. James Parish and Louisiana. One of Shamyra’s favorite verses is “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” 3 John 4.
Shamyra Lavigne-Davey
Shamyra@risestjames.org