Kim Boutte, the Big Queen of the Spirit of Fi Yi Yi, was shot to death when a stray bullet hit her on the night of Tuesday, August 11th as she was paying her respects for 22-year-old Dellmarcus Kirton, killed in a spray of bullets on Interstate 10. At the time of her death, Kim was 55 years of age with years of her cultural contributions being implemented into the rich New Orleans tradition(s). Quite honestly, Kim was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, according to sources close to her. Among those affected by this tragic event, Mayor LaToya Cantrell was among many to publicly address the slaying, issuing a tweet calling Boutte “a singular voice” and “a beloved icon.” Kim, who began masking as her tribe’s queen from the age of about 5, also served as a long-time, loyal employee at Tulane University of Louisiana. Much like many of her colleagues within Tulane Dining Services, Kim took the minimum wage that Sodexo paid her and plowed it into beads, feathers and other paraphernalia every year to keep tradition alive for her city. The story varies dependent upon whom you speak to, but this is the nature of what individuals like Kim have sacrificed to serve what has often been deemed as a very affluent population at Tulane University. 

Despite the nature of Tulane's affluence, Kim had an innate ability to connect with so many different walks of life throughout our Uptown Campus, most of whom have been troubled hearing the news of Kim's passing. Additionally, Big Queen leaves behind a multitude of children, grandchildren, siblings, as well as tribe members who've recently come together in the streets of New Orleans to celebrate the life and times of the honorable Big Queen of the Spirit of Fi Yi Yi. Specifically, Kim played a huge role in my tolerance for Tulane University throughout my collegiate years as a student-athlete. The relatability alone was a huge deciding factor in whether I transferred or finished the mission at TU. There are countless stories that my fellow TU Athletics Alumni can give on a personal account as to how she and so many others in Bruff Commons were an integral piece of their collegiate experiences. 

With that being said, we'd like to propose that Tulane University President, Mike Fitts should undertake these few projects in order to pay tribute to Kim's legacy and honor the culture of New Orleans. They are as follows:

1. Tap into allocated funding to cover the funeral expenses of Kim Boutte. In fairness to others that we've lost within the university structure, we want to avoid creating a controversial effect that leaves other families feeling as if they should've gotten the same treatment. Over the years, we've lost others in Kim's position whose lives have been taken at the hands of gun violence. They too were once household names throughout campus, and we want to take this opportunity to begin teaching and learning the importance of paying homage to the pillars that keep Tulane prestigious. With this in mind, I firmly believe that NOW is the time for our university to flourish in a way that shows that we stand in solidarity with not only the people outside of Uptown New Orleans, but first with those who make the university what it is today. Kim was one of those integral pieces, amongst many others that have come and gone due to similar experiences. 
2. Furthermore, I'd like to propose that the university implements Kim Boutte's life and times into all accessible social media channels to further engage with our own via Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.
3. The next step would be to further engage with her loved ones and tribe members to dedicate a piece to her inside of the published university magazine, The Tulanian & The Hullabaloo.
4. With Newcomb Art Museum being such a huge piece of the Tulane infrastructure, I'd like to further demand that a mural is created in remembrance of her by local artist, Brandon Odums, who has executed work within the museum over the years. 

Although Tulane is one of the most prestigious universities in the world, I want to acknowledge that it is nothing within the frontline workers who have nurtured it into what it remains to be today. In the midst of so much taking place in our city and our world, there is truly no better time to bridge the gap and fill the voids that have left so many feeling under-appreciated for far too long. With all things considered, I am asking that all points of emphasis be addressed in a timely manner, despite what the university chooses to do moving forward. I have no doubt that the University will do what is right and honorable in this instance, and for that WE thank you in advance for your understanding. #RollWave #OnlyTheAudacious #BIGQUEEN #NOLAGOTTASHINE #ForTheCulture 

'There will never be another' Mardi Gras Indian queen like Kim​

GoFundMe for Big Queen’s Memorial Contributions