I would like to tap the LoT creative collective-

[Drince88]

I'm not sure exactly what you're looking for. But if you're writing their names, using the blue tile letters like are on the street corners are something mostly 'locals' would 'get'. Here's a site that sells things in that style.

Wow, helps to google Dave Avanzino. Crawfish and fleur-de-lis are often used for lettering, but not sure how well that would work with their names. Green and white striped 'Cafe du monde' awning might be another one. Or Jazz instruments. Or beads/masks. But if you do beads/mask - purple green and gold only!

Do you know if she grew up in New Orleans? If she did, see if you can find out what high school she went to - I can find out if there's something specific related to that high school that would show that you did a little extra work. When ANY local adults meet for the first time, they ask each other where they went to school - and they mean high school. It 'places' you in the social structure of the city, so if she did go to HS here, pulling that in would be nice.