Black Community

Grieving Affirmative Action President John F. Kennedy signed an executive order on March 6, 1961, creating what we know as “affirmative action.” Affirmative action’s sole purpose was to remove the practice of discrimination in the hiring and admissions process. Let’s pause for a moment. Much like inclusion, affirmative action did not and does not mean exclusion (we will come back to this). Many may say that “Affirmative Action” helped create what we now know as the Black Middle Class (note that affirmative action did not suddenly catapult minorities into the top 1%). We never needed to question whether it was “time” to abolish Affirmative Action; rather the question should have been “have we honestly made progress to function without it?” If...

As a community, it is important that we support our fellow neighbors and local black-owned businesses. We are happy to share this resource of wonderful talent that we have in this community. How we support our local economy matters when it comes to where we shop, eat and consume services. We can take action and support our black neighbors in the Greater Baton Rouge area by supporting the businesses mentioned below. Black-Owned Businesses to Support in Greater Baton Rouge If there is a black-owned business that is missing from this list, please email [email protected] Bites and Delights: A & E Pastries and Crafts  A Tasty Affair {cakes + treats} Auntie Nat’s Soul Food Atchafalaya Seafood-The Breakfast Club Bayou Cafe Boil and Roux BR Brown Magic Sweets Brunch for the Soul Cafe Jeanpierre’s Cajun...

As a mom, time stops for us when we give birth to our baby(ies). The first coo, our heart explodes. The first baby step, we get those butterflies as we run over to help our tumbling little. Our little boy’s first soccer goal, we jump and scream as if no one is watching. These little moments are the moments we live for and moments that time stops for. No one could’ve prepared me for when I first held my babies after giving birth… the kind of moment that takes your breath away. Happy moments, time stops. Bad moments, time stops. Dreadful scenes emerged during week 17’s NFL season, as the Buffalo Bills took on the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin collapsed...

By now you’ve at least heard of Juneteenth. I was first introduced to Juneteenth by my late grandfather, affectionately known as Daddy Leamon. As a child, my grandfather absolutely did not celebrate 4th of July. In fact, I can’t remember a single instance that he even acknowledged it. My siblings, cousins, and I fondly recall his annual celebrations. We knew that every year for Juneteenth we would have the opportunity to enjoy a cookout at his house or a trip to Chicot State Park. We were sure to dine on the finest “Creek Fish” while washing it all down with the coldest foil-wrapped RC Cola’s. Back then soda cans were thicker, and you could freeze them without worry of explosion....

Who really is Santa? Of course, besides the very obvious answer, it is us, parents. I simply ask because when I question my children, they answer with “It's an old white man with a white beard and red coat.”  While shopping for Christmas decorations, my son looked at me with wondering eyes when he noticed a Santa that was darker than the Santa he is used to seeing when we are out and about. He then started asking millions of questions as to why, who, and where that Santa came from. He put me on the spot, and I was definitely not prepared at all on how to answer his questions. I naively responded with “oh yes, there are two Santas. One...