Trailblazer Award
A native New Orleanian, Willie Mackie, Jr. was born November 21, 1963. He graduated from Warren Easton High School in 1982, where he served as class president. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Law from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. While there, he pledged the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and served as president for three terms.
Upon leaving ULL, Willie set his sights on studying Law at Southern University in Baton Rouge Louisiana, but decided to become part of the hospitality industry, and went into the restaurant and bar business. His career in this industry has found him as the training director for a major fast-food chain and General Manager of The Rue Bourbon Restaurant on Bourbon St. He later became the purchasing manager for the original Brennan’s Restaurant on 417 Royal St. Working under the tutelage of Chef Michael Roussell, Willie learned both front and back of house responsibilities and took them head on as aggressively as he could.
In May of 2002, while driving around showing of his big brand-new truck, Willie met the love of his life, Mr. Bobby Wagstaff of Baltimore Maryland, in the parking lot of The Hula Mae’s Laundromat in the French Quarter. After an hour of coaxing, He finally got Bobby to take a ride in his new truck, and the rest is history. On April 28, 2007, Willie and Bobby were married at The St. Matthews Episcopal Church and have enjoyed a wonderful life together for the last 21 years.
In 2006 Willie accepted a position as a bartender at Society Page Lounge located on Rampart St. He took all the experience that he learned in the restaurant business to Society Page and quickly became one the strongest employees of the company. He worked there for seven years sharpening his skills as lead bartender. In May of 2013 Willie became the new owner of Society Page. Under his leadership, the bar has tripled its revenue and has gained a very strong reputation in the LGBTQ+ community. The Page has won numerous awards such as The Krewe of Mwindo Outstanding Support Award, the NOLA Unity Community award, and the Nu Phi Zeta Fraternity Community MVP Award.
Willie appears in Big Freedia’s recent documentary, A New Green Book. He is an active member of the krewe of Bacchus Carnival Club and rides on the Officers float. He has served as King 17 of The Mystic Krewe of Mwindo, King IV of The Winter Wonderland Foundation. King of The Ole and Nu Style Fella’s Second line club, where he is currently a member, and is involved in numerous activities in the LGBTQ+ community.He was recently named the winner of Black Pride’s 2024 Pride with a Purpose Award. In his spare time, Willie enjoys woodworking, barbecuing, and playing with his four fur-babies, Rosie, Diamond, Princess, and Poncho. His favorite quote of all time is “Who Dat?!”