Aahana Swrup
Matthew O. Henderson’s documentary ‘A King Like Me’ offers profound insight into the cultural monolith that is New Orleans, Louisiana’s Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club Incorporated. The organization, founded in 1916, is the first predominantly black krewe known for its community work and historical Zulu parades on Mardi Gras Day. Over the decades, the club has cemented itself as a group that resides in the heart of the city, respected and revered by all residents. Its membership sports a wide range, including everyone from city councilmen and mayors to men who work in education, construction, and more. Within the club, every member gets to come together as equals and celebrate their community and shared history. The club has members in the hundreds. The Netflix documentary touches upon the lives and legacies of a few of these commendable men.
Terrence Rice is an Entrepreneur With a Contractor Company in Louisiana
In many ways, Terrence Rice remains at the emotional nucleus of ‘A King Like Me,’ fulfilling the role of a liaison between the documentary crew and the tight-knit Zulu Club of New Orleans, Louisiana. Alongside digging into his complex relationship with being African-American in the modern world, he also allows the viewers a glimpse into his past by welcoming the narrative into his parents’, Charles and Barbara Rice’s, house. Thus, given his generational roots in The Big Easy, it’s no surprise that Rice continues to live in the city. Particularly, he resides with his wife in Destrehan, a suburb of New Orleans. Professionally, he has years of experience in the field of sales, executive business development, and consultancy.
Rice has worked with a number of prominent organizations, including The Black Collegian Magazine, Professional Diversity Network, DiversityInc., and more. Around the late 2000s, he founded his own company, Fulcrum Enterprises LLC., and has been the owner and operator of its business since. Today, he continues to serve as the managing director at Fulcrum Enterprises and Fulcrum Trucking. Likewise, Rice, who first became a member of the Zulu club in 2014, remains a crucial part of the organization. His recent involvement in the promotion of Matthew O. Henderson’s film shines a spotlight on the community club. In June 2025, the Entrepreneur even made an appearance on Good Morning America to discuss the film and the sustained cultural significance of the Zulu Club.
Elroy James Serves His City as a Court Judge
Elroy James has been an instrumental part of the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club Inc. for years now. In 2012, he was crowned as a Zulu King, a title that is earned through serious campaigning and an actual election voting process. Even after wearing the esteemed title, he kept making prominent contributions to the organization and eventually became the club’s president. Today, he continues to serve in that position within the organization. Simultaneously, he remains dedicated to serving his community in other ways. For more than 20 years, James has been practicing law as a plaintiff and defense attorney.
In fact, James even occupied the role of the Louisiana Department of Justice’s Assistant Attorney General. He has a variety of other titles attributed to his work for the community, including a former board member at the Young Leadership Council, a co-chairman of the Mayor’s Mardi Gras Advisory Council, and more. In 2023, he achieved another major professional milestone, becoming a Judge at the Civil District Court in the Parish of Orleans, Louisiana. Thus, James remains an integral part of the community, working to make his city the best version of itself that it can be.
George V. Rainey Passed Away in 2020
George V. Rainey, a member of the Zulu Club since 1972, was one of the community’s most prominent pillars. He secured the club’s first-ever corporate sponsorship, which was also the largest donation of any corporate sponsor. Over the course of his decades-long leadership, the man is said to have brought more than 40 sponsors to the organization. From a board member in the 70s and 2000s to vice president in the 90s, Rainey was intricately woven into the fabric of the club. In 2019, he finally snagged the coveted Zulu King title for himself, proudly participating in the Zulu Parade and brandishing his name in its history for years to come. Notably, he’s the oldest man to have yet earned the title. On the other hand, the veteran of the United States Army also owned one of the largest African American restaurants in New Orleans: Rainey’s.
Furthermore, Rainey’s significant contribution to the community was even recognized by The Jefferson Award Foundation alongside political figures such as President George W. Bush. Therefore, it’s only fitting that the New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell similarly mourned his departure. The former Zulu King passed away on October 7, 2020. At the time of his unfortunate death, he was at home surrounded by loved ones. In his death, Rainey’s memories continue to be survived by his kids, Jacquelyn Rainey-Bijou, Gwendolyn Rainey, Monica Rainey-Washington, and Oscar J.D. Rainey. Additionally, he continues to be remembered in the memories of his friends, family, and the beloved members of his community.
Larry A. Hammond Met His Demise at the Age of 70
The COVID-19 Pandemic was and continues to be a tragedy for several communities worldwide. The Zulu club was no exception. Not only was the organization prohibited from continuing its historical parade during the pandemic, but the club also suffered the loss of many beloved members during this time. Larry A. Hammond was, unfortunately, one such tragic loss. In the aftermath of his retirement from the United States Postal Service, the former Zulu King of 2006-2007 threw himself into working for the betterment of his community. He was a part of the Beautiful Zion Baptist Church and was known for mentoring and educating the young generation.
Traditionally, as a former Zulu king, Hammond should’ve received a laudable goodbye with the Zulu Parade through “past-king” honors, marching bands, second-line parades, and more. However, the reality of the pandemic made this impossible. In fact, only 10 people were allowed to attend the memorial service after Hammond passed away at the VA hospital on March 31, 2020. Even so, the community of New Orleans showed up for their former King in a unique, improvised fashion. On the day of his funeral in April, a parade of cars and trucks drove by the Hammond family’s house to show their love, support, and grief. Today, the unforgettable Zulu member continues to be survived by his wife, Lillian Hammond, their daughter, Nicole Hammond Crowden, and the numerous people whose lives he touched in one way or another.
Jay Banks Continues to Work For the City
Jay Banks became the Zulu King in 2016. Since then, he has remained a notable part of the club while continuing to climb the ladder in his professional life. Around the same time as his Zulu coronation, in the mid-2010s, he became the director of the School of Commerce at the Dryades YMCA. Furthermore, by then, he had also served as the Chief of Staff for two former City Council presidents, cementing his place in the public service sector. As a result, he eventually found himself fulfilling the role of District B New Orleans City Councilman.
In 2021, Banks ran for the title once again but unfortunately failed to get re-elected. Even so, despite his exit from the office, the candidate remained firm in his dedication to public service. The former city councilman made good on his promise of looking out for his neighborhood in 2022 as he joined Mayor LaToya Cantrell. The mayor hired Banks as an urban policy specialist, incorporating him into her team at the New Orleans City Hall. Currently, Banks continues to reside in Louisiana and is progressing his political career.
Randolph Rudy Davis Has a Longstanding Career in Health Care
Randolph Rudy Davis had dreamed about being the Zulu king ever since he was a kid and caught his first glance of the spirited, colorful parade. When he shared the same sentiments with his grandfather, the latter told a young boy that he could be anything his heart desires. In 2022, Davis proved his grandfather’s faith right by earning the title for himself. In the 2022 Zulu Parade, he donned the ceremonial garbs, scepter, and crown, accompanied by his fiancée, Crystal Monique Guillemet, as the Zulu Queen. Since then, the duo has continued to uphold the responsibilities of these titles.
For instance, in 2022, Davis gave a rousing speech to the KIPP Students during an event. Additionally, the former Zulu King has a reverential profession outside of his involvement in the Zulu club, which he first joined in 2009. For more than four decades, Davis has been a health care worker. Currently, he’s a care manager with Monogram Health Personalized Kidney Services. On the other hand, his partner, Guillemet, is a marketing and communication director at Tulane University’s School of Medicine. Thus, the couple remains beloved members of their community.
