Early Life and Education
Jimmie Martinez was born in 1944 in New Orleans, Louisiana and raised by his Cajun mother. As a baby, Jimmie lived in a federal housing project and then as a teen moved to the lower Ninth Ward, living in the poorest part of the city during the turbulent 1960's.
In 1963, he graduated from a public high school and then attended the first racially integrated university in the South, Louisiana State University of New Orleans, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. This educational journey placed him at the forefront of the civil rights movement in Louisiana, providing him with firsthand experience of the social changes that would later influence his writing.
Police Career and Civil Rights Work
Following college, he joined the New Orleans Police Department. In 1978, James Parsons was appointed chief of police by the City of New Orleans's first Black or French-Creole mayor, Mayor Ernest "Dutch" Morial, a leading civil rights advocate.
The mayor tasked Parsons with reorganizing and recruiting more Blacks into the overwhelmingly white department. For years, the department had been a symbol of repression in the Black community. As Parsons's assistant, Martinez worked on a number of initiatives to modernize, reform, and improve the relationship between the cops and the community, especially the Black community.
This experience gave Martinez unique insight into the racial tensions and social dynamics of New Orleans during a crucial period of change, perspectives that would later enrich his historical fiction writing.
Public Service and Business Leadership
After leaving the police department, Martinez was appointed Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Kenner, Louisiana. In that position, he continued to introduce a number of city-wide programs and was a moving force to modernize the sixth largest city in Louisiana.
In 1990, he co-founded and became the CEO of a civil engineering firm, demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to Louisiana's development and infrastructure.
Literary Career
As a lifelong resident of New Orleans and the metro area, Martinez writes about the city he loves and the turbulent times he grew up in. Martinez is the author of four novels set in New Orleans: The Battle for New Orleans-The Casino Wars, Rigged, Righteous Road, which was awarded the Editor's Choice from iUniverse, Cajun Chameleon, Cajun Crow, and NOLA's Black Dove.
"Masterfully written. Jimmie captures the true essence of life in the 60s in Southern Louisiana."
His novels explore themes of racial identity, social justice, and the unique cultural landscape of Louisiana during pivotal moments in American history. Drawing from his personal experiences growing up in the Ninth Ward and his professional work in law enforcement and civil rights, Martinez brings authenticity and depth to his storytelling.
Personal Life and Interests
Jimmie's interests include traveling, reading, and watching classic film noir movies. He is also a passionate Saints and LSU football fan, reflecting his deep Louisiana roots and loyalty to his home state.
Martinez is now retired and resides in Kenner, Louisiana and at his beach condo in Orange Beach, Alabama with his wife Gale. This dual residence allows him to maintain his connection to Louisiana while enjoying the coastal tranquility that provides inspiration for his continued writing.
Connect with Jimmie
He can be contacted by email at jmartinez@deii.net