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NEW ORLEANS, LA - The Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale held its Gala on Friday, February 2, 2024, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, with the theme “Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale Presents It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere”.
Timing references abounded as Founding Member, President, and Honorable Lisa Ray Diggs expounded upon the relevance of the theme, stating, “I want to thank our Founder, Gwendolyn Victoria Rainey, for her vision, commitment, and timely overture to bring to the forefront our presence in the New Orleans community while setting the clock to ensure our time was marked to celebrate the Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale on the first Sunday of the Parade Season. The Founding Members along with Founder Rainey created an organization where women from all walks of life could step away from juggling multiple tasks such as corporate professionals, working moms, and esteemed careers such as lawyers, doctors, and teachers to celebrate themselves.”
Reigning as Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale Queen 2024 is Dominique Bright-Wheeler, Esq. Her majesty is the loving daughter of the late Myrna Bright and Harvey Bright, Jr. She is a proud and doting mother of three children - Travis, Joey, and Jaelyn Wheeler and her grand princesses, Jodi and Kailani, are her pride and joy. Queen Dominique is a devoted member of St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church.
Hailing from the Seabrook area in Gentilly, she navigated the Orleans Parish Public School system as a proud New Orleans Public Schools scholar. Queen Dominique's academic path led her through McDonogh 39 Elementary School, Pierre A. Capdau Junior High School, and culminated with her graduation from John F. Kennedy Senior High School. Her academic pursuit continued at the University of New Orleans, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, and later at Loyola University School of Law, where she received her Juris Doctorate. As a Loyola University Institute of Politics Fellow, Queen Dominique proved that she was committed to excellence and leadership.
Her Majesty Dominique Bright-Wheeler, Esq. is an inaugural member of the Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale. Since joining, Queen Dominique has been an enthusiastic and active participant, contributing her energy to various aspects of the organization, including the Technology Committee, Special Events Committee, and serving in her past role on the Bylaws committee.
In her professional life, Queen Dominique emerges as a beacon of strength and advocacy. A seasoned corporate attorney, strategic advisor, and diversity and inclusion leader, she stands as a formidable advocate for women, children, and the underprivileged. With over 20 years of legal practice, her expertise, particularly in Banking and Financial Services, has left a bright mark. Following a distinguished career with major corporations like Capital One and Toyota, Queen Dominique currently serves in the chief legal office at USAA where she supports the bank and its consumer lending division. Law is not Queen Dominique's sole arena. She began her professional journey in the non-profit realm where she served, for 13 years, as a social worker and Community Center Director for the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
Queen Dominique actively engages in community and civic initiatives at the local, state, and national levels. She serves as an Alumni Leader of John F. Kennedy High School, casting her light on the next generation. Additionally, she contributes to diversity efforts as a member of the Louisiana State Bar Diversity Committee and aligns herself with empowering organizations like Corporate Counsel Women of Color and the New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Legal Society. Licensed to practice law in both Louisiana and Texas, Queen Dominique is a proud member of the Louisiana and Texas State Bar Associations. She was honored as a New Orleans City Businesswoman of the Year honoree and celebrated as an outstanding Alumnus by the Black Law Student Association of Loyola School of Law.
In her pursuit of spreading warmth and compassion, Queen Dominique is part of the American Heart Association’s Circle of Red. She passionately supports the American Heart Association Annual Red Dress Luncheon, shining a light on heart health awareness. Her commitment to community service takes center stage as she currently partners with Bridge House and Grace House, championing those affected by alcohol and substance abuse as a part of her community service platform.
Queen Dominique wore a couture Afri Modiste gown, designed and created exclusively for her highness. The base of the gown was a white duchess satin, adorned by thousands of hand sewn Swarovski crystals that elaborately embellished the trumpet style gown from top to bottom. The trumpet shape was maintained using layers of petticoat and tulle to maintain the integrity and weight of the abundant rhinestones. The queen’s mantle was embellished with customized shapes of exceptional designs, with sequin trims, bands of rhinestones, and aurora borealis crystal rhinestones. The illuminating mantle had large white ostrich plumes and antique gold coque feathers. Queen Dominique’s 10-foot mantle was silver lamé encompassing the signature compact, along with designs of sequin trim and embellished with crystal rhinestones in royal blue and clear crystals. Her majesty wore a silver-toned custom rhinestone encrusted crown with coordinating crystal scepter.
Shining bright like a diamond, Queen Dominique graced onlookers with a wardrobe change at the coronation, which did not disappoint. Her royalty wore an elegant white, corseted, straight gown, encrusted with rhinestones, pearls, beads and sequins throughout. The custom garment, also designed by couture designer, Afri Modiste, featured her signature illuminated 3-D florals, which added a modern juxtaposition to the traditional silhouette. The illuminated flowers were intricately hand sewn across the bustline and carried over onto the sleeves. Flesh colored illusion mesh, gave the gown a strapless appearance, while adding additional support. The sleeves created cape accents that extended far out from each arm and trailed behind adding an additional royal flair and put an exclamation mark on Queen Dominique’s reign.
Her majesty’s maids to the royal court were Mrs. Bernice P. Campbell, Dr. Quinique M. Cannon, Mrs. Pedra G. Randolph, and Ms. Jaelyn Wheeler, daughter of Queen Dominique. The royal maids wore sleeveless mermaid silhouette antique gold ball gowns constructed with deep, rich velvet fabric featuring a lace bodice draped with hand placed rhinestones and beading. Celebrity Fashion Designer, Sylvester West, designed these gowns for women of class and elegance. Coordinating headpieces completed the theme.
Royal princesses to her majesty included Future Femmes Miss Demi Bates, daughter of Ms. Daria Ross; Miss Destinee Griffith, daughter of Ms. Lahcrista Paul and Mr. Desi Griffith; Miss Keller Morris, daughter of MaQue Hollins and Timothy Morris; and Miss Chayse O’Neal, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Croix McClendon and Mr. Luke O'Neal, III. In a regal display of elegance, our princesses donned gowns featuring a luxurious velvet bodice and sleeveless design. The ethereal layers boast high-quality sparkling tulle, complemented by a lavish touch of satin. Adorned with rhinestone crystal Swarovski embellishments, these gowns enchanted with sophistication and charm, while satin gloves added a finishing touch of grace to their enchanting attire.
The 2024 Grand Marshal was also presented during the entertainment filled gala, Dollie Eaglin-Rivas. Dollie was one of the first African American dancers and showgirl in Donn Arden’s “Hallelujah Hollywood” and an original cast member of the long-running Vegas spectacular, “Jubilee”. While in Las Vegas, she was chosen as a Jet magazine “Beauty of the Week.” She has traveled throughout the United States and Europe as a teacher, performer, model, and choreographer. Mrs. Eaglin-Rivas is a retired Arts Educator/Creative Movement Specialist and Talented Arts Theatre teacher from Audubon Charter School, Broadway Campus, where she taught from 1989-2021.
Founding Members, Parade Captain Dr. Takeisha C. Davis, MD, MPH, and Co-Parade Captain and Vice-President Ann Marie Allen began the celebration in beautiful fiery iridescence led by Flagboy Giz. Also appearing in grand style were MKFF 2022-2024 Board of Directors, Lisa Marie Hagan, Chairwoman; Jenarald Scott-Wilbon, Secretary; Kimberly Early, Founding Member and Treasurer; Margo Hurston-Peavy, Corresponding Secretary; Zinna M. Green, Financial Secretary; Danielle “Dani” Moses, Parliamentarian; Dr. Yolonda Wornner Prevost, Chaplain; Beatrice H. Belisle, Karen Chambers, and Founding Member and Honorable Sharlayne Jackson-Prevost, Board Members At-Large; and Sharon G. Howard, Historian.
Additionally, Founder and Queen 2015, Gwendolyn Victoria Rainey; Founding Members, Honorable Regina Bartholomew-Woods, Yvonne Mitchell-Grubb, Catherine Phipps, Bherita “Bambi” Hall, Honorable Nghana Lewis, Michele Hayes, and Queen 2016, Joan Cooper-Rainey made their formal entrance.
Also, recognized were our Crown Jewels, Queen 2017, Dawn Bentley Johnson; Queen 2018, Kimberly Prater-McPherson; Queen 2019, Pamela Foxworth Carter; Queen 2020, Dr. Maychelle Cooper-Rodney; Queen 2022, Denean Trigs-Keys; and Queen 2023, Dr. Monique R. Jones.
Serving as Mistress and Master of Ceremonies were Charisse Gibson, WWL-TV news anchor and award winning journalist, and Malik Mingo, host of the local talk show, “Great Day Louisiana”, on WWL-TV.
Femmes and guests continued the festivities into the wee hours of the morning. Following the royal second line guests were entertained by Clark Knighten and the 4X4 Connection, Big Frank and Lil Frank, Brass-a-Holics, Carl Thomas, Mannie Fresh, Juvenile, DJ Jubilee, Partners-N-Crime, Ha Sizzle, Subtweet Shawn, and DJ Polo. A delectable formal plated four-course dinner was served. The royal meal included shrimp cocktail, garden salad, herb roasted chicken and short rib of beef, and sponge cake. For those with a different palate, there were four-course vegan and vegetarian meal options available. Libations flowed throughout the evening.All in attendance agreed that the “Femmenation” hosted a Femmetastic 2024 Gala.
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