"Becoming Mardi Gras Queen is truly a full circle experience, a dream come true!"  says Dr. Courtney.  During her early years, Courtney and her little brother would attend Mardi Gras parades with their family behind the barricades. Enamored with the pomp and circumstance, the glamour, and the beauty of Carnival, she knew she was destined to be a part of these historical moments. Dr. Courtney has always been interested in art and music which are at the core of New Orleans culture.  At the young age of 6 years old, Dr. Courtney began training in the arts, completing 12 years of piano and dance.  So upon promotion from the top of her class at W.C.C. Claiborne elementary school in Ponchatrain Park (now Parkview), Dr. Courtney attended middle and high school at St. Mary Academy.  Here was her chance to play a major role in  Mardi gras by joining the high school marching unit.  Dr. Courtney successfully marched every parade season of her high school years completing her senior year as Captain of the SMA Flag team and graduating top of her class again as Valedictorian. 

 

With a passion for helping others, Dr. Courtney embarked on a career in pharmacy.  Dr. Courtney received a full scholarship to Xavier University of Louisiana.  She was accepted into Xavier's College of Pharmacy, pledged the Gamma Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, and pledged the Delta Eta Chapter of Kappa Psi Pharmacy Fraternity, Inc. She graduated with her Doctor of Pharmacy at the early age of 23.  

 

During her college years, Dr. Courtney met the love of her life, Dwight Jones, a graduate of Tulane University.  Courtney and Dwight were married in New Orleans and have a son together.  Due to their career obligations, Courtney and Dwight relocated to Atlanta, GA.  Over the years and after overcoming post-Katrina challenges, Dr. Courtney traveled back and forth from Atlanta to New Orleans to rebuild her family home, and contribute to her community, church, schools, and culture.

 

Today, Dr. Courtney is one of the nation’s leading Pharmacists in Managed Care. She is a Clinical Pharmacist, who is the Director of Clinical Pharmacy Operations for a major Pharmacy Benefit Manager corporation in Atlanta, GA. With more than 20 years of experience, Dr. Courtney is still passionate about improving her patients’ overall health and well-being. She became a sought-after health consultant, mentor, motivational speaker, and podcaster on her Nationally award-winning "3friendsTALK" podcast.

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Dr. Courtney Villere Jones, a pillar of the community, enjoys spending time with her family, philanthropy, dancing, traveling, and podcasting. She has joined a competition dance troupe in Atlanta and you can find her in at least 3 showcases a year with the Lady Diamonds Dance team. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Kappa Psi Pharmacy Fraternity, Inc., and now Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Her podcast, 3friendsTALK, airs on Facebook live every other Wednesday. 

 

"Of all my accomplishments, this will be one of the most prestigious moments of my life!" said  Dr. Courtney.  "I was the little New Orleans girl watching the parades from the sideline, to marching in the parades, to now receiving the highest honor of Mardi Gras Royalty."  The Krewe of Nandi has selected Dr. Courtney as their 2024 Queen Select because she is the epitome of Nandi's core values: self-love, women empowerment, sisterhood, community service, and celebrating all things Carnival.  Queen Nandi herself was a woman of high esteem, strong, resilient, sweet, and beautiful.  Dr. Courtney is this woman.  She will serve with what comes naturally to her, for the love of the culture, for the love of Mardi Gras, for the love of New Orleans.

 

"Love Her, Cherish Her, Empower Her"  ALL HAIL NANDI!!

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