Lighting The Road To The Future

Idris Elba Stars in Data Zone Page 4 “The People’s Paper” April 10 - April 16, 2021 55th Year Volume 50 www.ladatanews.com

A Data News Weekly Exclusive

Early Voting Begins in Race For Louisiana 2nd Congressional District April 10th-17th… Let Your Voices Be Heard

Page 2 Newsmaker Publisher NOPS turns Troy Carter... 180 Years Old The Right Choice Page 6 Page 7 Page 2 April 10 - April 16, 2021 Cover Story www.ladatanews.com Early Voting Begins in Race For Louisiana 2nd Congressional District April 10th-17th… Let Your Voices Be Heard

Benjamin Bates Data News Weekly Contributor

It is that time again, as people are headed to the polls to decide who will represent Louisiana 2nd Congressional District . In a race that began with 15 candidates it’s come down to two . Both are from New Orleans and are presently serving in the Louisiana State Senate . Troy Carter, was the frontrunner in the primary, getting 36 percent of the vote . Karen Carter Peter- son placed second with 23 percent of the vote . Both are Democrats and on April 24, 2021, one of them will replace Cedric Richmond, who held the seat for a decade and presently is serving in the Biden Administration as the Director of Public En- gagement . Richmond endorsed Carter, who’s also received the majority of endorsements from local, state, na- tional and business leaders . “I am proud to have a broad coalition of support from local elected officials from up and down the District . Garnering these endorsements is a testa- ment to the relationships that I’ve built during my career in public service and my ability to work with others to provide meaningful and tangible change to strengthen our communities,” says Carter of his campaign . Third place finisher Gary Chambers, who re- ceived 21 percent of the vote endorsed Karen Carter Peterson . This will make turnout important where every vote count to who eventually will emerge as the victor in this race . In the primary turnout was low and both campaigns are working to get out their voters across the District . Both candidates are touting their experience as lawmakers in their pitch to the voters of the District . While in the State House some of their positions are similar, Troy Carter believes he better understands how to govern and get things done to bring back

Troy Carter placed first in the primary and is receiving the majority of endorsements from Cover Story, Continued on page 3. elected, business and civic leaders.

DATA NEWS WEEKLY P.O. Box 57347, New Orleans, LA 70157-7347 | Phone: (504) 821-7421 | Fax: (504) 821-7622 INSIDE DATA editorial: [email protected] | advertising: [email protected] Terry B. Jones Contributors Art Direction &

Production CEO/Publisher Edwin Buggage Pubinator.com Cover Story ...... 2 National News . . . 7 . Edwin Buggage Terry B. Jones Editorial and Editor Data News Weekly Advertising Inquiries Data Zone ...... 4 Publisher . . . . .7 . Sharonda Green datanewsweeklyad Staff Writer Executive Assistant @gmail.com June Hazeur Jonae Bond Newsmaker...... 6 Distribution

Accounting Benjamin Bates by Terrence Lee Please call 504-309-9913 for subscription information or to obtain a back issue of the paper ONLY. Dated material two weeks in advance. Not responsible for publishing or return of unsolicited manuscripts or photos. www.ladatanews.com Cover Story April 10 - April 16, 2021 Page 3

Cover Story, Continued from page 2. EARLY VOTE

APRIL 10-17

GET YOURS The race for Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional District started with 15 candidates and Karen Carter Peterson is attempting to make history as now is down to two. Troy Carter and Karen Carter Peterson will face off on April 24, the first woman candidate to be elected to represent 2021. Early voting is from April 10-17. Louisiana 2nd Congressional District. IN

SHELTER PET & FASHION ICON

Voter turnout is key to victory for both candidates.

Whip Jim Clyburn, CBC Chair Early Voting Sites: Joyce Beatty, Chairman Hakeem Jeffries, Rep Jerry Nadler, Rep City Hall IW24 Raja Krishnamoorthi, Rep File- 1300 Perdido Street mon Vela Jr, and Rep Andre Carson, New Orleans, LA 70112 among others . Locally, I am proud to have been Algiers Courthouse endorsed by State Senators: Joseph 225 Morgan Street, Room 105 Data News Weekly is encouraging all to get out and vote. Let your Bouie, Jimmie Harris, New Orleans, LA 70114 voices be heard at the polls. Paul Connick, Greg Tarver, Ed Amazing stories start in shelters and resources that are needed in the ning for office across the country, Price, State House Representatives: Chef Menteur Voting Machine rescues. Adopt today to start yours. District . she is attempting to become the Jason Hughes, Ken Brass, Warehouse Site TOAST He believes that his relationships first woman elected to represent Randall Gaines, Rodney Lyons, 8870 Chef Menteur Highway 325K+ Instagram Followers with those presently in power will the District . Kyle Green, and Parish President New Orleans, LA 70126 give the District a seat at the table Both are attempting to build a co- Cynthia Lee Sheng . and prioritize Louisiana 2nd Con- alition to win on Election Day . I’ve also been endorsed by local Lake Vista Community Center gressional District . “On the federal level, I am proud organizations including; LA Demo- 6500 Spanish Fort Blvd . Karen Carter Peterson is run- to have secured the endorsement of cratic Party, IWO, LIFE, New Orleans, LA 70124 ning as a progressive and is say- the outgoing SOUL, AFL-CIO, Alliance for ing that she will be a fighter if Congressman, Cedric Rich- Good Government, and JPDEC,” Early voting begins on April 10th elected . Also, as we have seen a mond, sitting members including says Troy Carter of his wide coali- and runs through April 17th with wave of female candidates run- Rep . Bennie Thompson, Majority tion of supporters . the election on April 24th . Page 4 April 10 - April 16, 2021 Data Zone www.ladatanews.com

Idris Elba Stars in Concrete Cowboy A Must See Film Now Airing on

Edwin Buggage Editor-in-Chief

Coming in at number one this week is the must-see movie “Concrete Cow- boy” it is presently the most popular movie on Netflix, according to the streaming service’s public ranking system . In the film, Idris Elba, and Caleb McLaughlin of “” fame star as a father and son in this coming-of-age film of a young man who is sent to live with his father who is part of a horse-riding community inside of North Philadelphia . It is a film that draws at the heart- strings as Fifteen-year-old Cole (McLaughlin) is a troubled kid who is sent from Detroit for the summer in Philadelphia to live with his estranged father Harp (Elba), a tough, old-West style cowboy who lives and rides at a century-old African American horse- manship institution called the Fletch- Caleb McLaughlin (L) gives a standout performance as Cole, a troubled teen sent to live with his father for the summer. Elba plays Harp his estranged father, who attempts to navigate his son to manhood. er Street Urban Riding Club . Cole is like many angry young Black men who do not have a father . But as he gets to know his father and those in the horse-riding community, they teach him the value of hard work and discipline . Against this backdrop Cole also finds himself attracted to the lure of fast money when he reconnects with Smush (Jharrel Jerome), who plays a low-level drug dealer who points the way to any easier method of making money . Idris Elba stars in Concrete Cowboy, an amazing film Cole, played by McLaughlin while living with his father The film is loosely based on the that is presently the top streaming movie on Netflix. is caught between the values his father is trying to instill in him and the lure of fast money. book “Ghetto Cowboy” by Greg Neri, “Concrete Cowboy” is a different type of from previous films featur- ing Blacks in this genre . The characters are well-rounded and relatable . This is a film that is thought provoking, inspirational as well as entertaining . While Elba is the draw for many, it is McLaughlin, whose depiction of Cole shows the incredible range of this young star on the rise . He shows the multiple layers of so many young Black men in how he brings together Elba plays the role of Harp, the leader of a century In the film the entire horse riding community takes the vulnerability and innocence and old African American horse club in North Philadelphia Cole under their wing in this emotionally relevant story rebelliousness of young men trying called the Fletcher Riding Club. of father and son as well as a great and little known African American tradition. to navigate the bridge from boyhood to manhood . Also of note is a great supporting portrays a wheelchair bound Fletcher but a film about values and the love in but especially for Black men and teen- cast, with Cliff “Method Man” Smith Street stables fixture who brings a touch a community with multi-layered charac- age boys to watch . for it shows the im- as a local, sympathetic cop and Lor- of authenticity to the film . ters that is not often shown in films fea- portance of the need for Black fathers raine Toussaint and real-life Fletcher In the end “Concrete Cowboy” is turing an African American cast . in our community to be involved in the Street Riders like Jamil Prattis, who more than a film about a father and son, This film I highly recommend for all, lives of their children .

Visit www.ladatanews.com for more photos from these events www.ladatanews.com April 10 - April 16, 2021 Page 5

GROW CONNECTED.

The New Orleans Chamber is over 1,200 members strong and growing. With so many connections at your fingertips, now is the time to build your business.

DON’T DELAY, JOIN TODAY! DUES AS LOW AS $180!

NewOrleansChamber.org Page 6 April 10 - April 16, 2021 Newsmaker www.ladatanews.com New Orleans Public Schools turns 180 Years Old

Jonae Bond our heads,” Landrieu said . “There Data News Weekly are still nations today that do not Contributor believe in true access of education and equality .” New Orleans founded one of Since Hurricane Katrina, the the first public school systems in NOLA Public School System expe- the South . On March 26, 2021, the rienced its biggest change since de- school system marked its 180th segregation of public schools . The Anniversary of the New Orleans city became the home to the first Public Schools System . The jour- All-Charter School System in the ney of the NOLA Public School United States . While New Orleans System has been marked by both charter schools have had some major victories and the challenge improvements in academic perfor- to overcome socioeconomic and mance each year along with an in- racial inequity . crease in graduation rates, the work “Improving society by expanding to improve the quality of education the education system has not come in the system still continues . Or- without struggle,” said Justin Mc- leans Parish Schools still carries a Corkle, the NOLA Public Schools higher percentage of inexperienced Director of Community Relations . Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr, the superintendent of NOLA Public Schools shared how the schools have adapted teachers compared to surrounding during the pandemic at the 180th Anniversary event. “But without these struggles we parishes and the ratio of teachers would not be where we are today .” of color to students of color in the Officially created in 1841, the system remains lower than other Louisiana Legislature approved districts, according to recent data a part of state education funds to from The Education Trust . support public education in New The COVID-19 Pandemic has Orleans . Although the system re- also been a test for educators, ceived approval, there were still families, and the school system in many obstacles for it to overcome . moving education to remote, online African Americans freed from formats and returning students and slavery also sought to achieve teachers back safely this year . advancement through public ed- “Thank you to the men and wom- ucation, explained Ethan Ashley, en who have dedicated their lives to the Orleans Parish School Board educating the children of NOLA,” President . In 1900, the school said New Orleans Mayor LaToya board proceeded to restrict Afri- Cantrell in her remarks . “Children can American students to enroll are the best source of our future .” in public schools . These barri- Despite the challenges to learn- ers to entry for public education ing in the pandemic, Dr . Henderson were set for the first five grades, Lewis Jr ., the superintendent for even though Black students were NOLA Public Schools’, said that attending public high schools for there is much students have still almost an entire generation . Ra- achieved . cial segregation policies and a “You all can and will overcome,” great lack of funding caused Af- Orleans Parish School Board president Ethan Ashley shared how public schools enabled recently freed Lewis Jr . said . “At NOLA PS we rican American students to have enslaved people in the South to find a path forward to economic advancement after centuries in bondage. have countless success stories of different and low-quality public students that have been through education . mer U .S . Senator Mary Landrieu and overcome the challenges you “Without the official abolition explained at the anniversary event all face today .” of slavery… I would not be stand- that almost the entire African The school system allocated $5 ing here as the school board presi- American middle-class of the South million in 2020 to support students dent,” Ashley said . “The system has can trace their roots back to one of in continuing their education dur- fought so many reforms and the those 5,000 schools . ing the pandemic, Ashley said . Al- school board is only focused on get- “This root is deep in this though the School Board and the ting better .” community and we are trying NOLA Public Schools System has For 80 years, many of the South’s to build schools that work for endured many challenges, its lead- population was excluded from edu- all races,” Landrieu said . “We ers said they will continue to push cation . In 1917, Julius Rosenwald, want to shine on in an amaz- forward to make it more equitable an American businessman and phi- ing way to show how races can for all students . lanthropist, was inspired by a paper come together as one .” “Even though you may go written by Booker T . Washington . The achievement of NOLA Pub- through a lot…know we are going Rosenwald took his fortune to help lic Schools should also be consid- to hold you all close every day . We build 5,000 schools for the Afri- ered when thinking about dispari- are going to let you know that you can American communities who ties in education around the world, will get through it,” Lewis Jr . said . were excluded from educational Landrieu said . “In the midst of darkness light will resources in the South . Some of “When we think of 180 years it Former U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu shared that NOLA Public persist . Shine on NOLA Public Schools played an important role in educating African American these schools still stand today . For- is kind of hard to wrap it around families during the Civil Rights era. Schools, shine on,” he said . www.ladatanews.com National News April 10 - April 16, 2021 Page 7 DATA CLASSIFIED Call 504-821-7421 to Police Chief: Use of Force on place your classified ad.

George Floyd Unjustified Job Opportunity Freelance Data Staff Edited Report most likely from cardiac arrest after Writers lack of oxygen . Prosecutors blamed Wanted In what’s become a trial watched Chauvin for pressing his knee on by people across the world . It is one Floyd’s neck for several minutes Data News Weekly, “The where issues of racial justice and before Floyd died on May 25, 2020 . People’s Paper, is looking for freelence writers to systemic racism in policing is on When questioned by Chauvin’s at- join our team print and trial . torneys, the doctor confirmed fen- digital team. We want In what’s been testimony filled tanyl and methamphetamine, both to hear from you if you with emotion the trial of former po- of which were found in Floyd’s are a working journalist, or an aspiring journalist lice officer Derek Chauvin moved body, can cause hypoxia, or insuf- who has 2 years or more into its second week on Monday ficient oxygen . of newspaper or PR April 5, 2021 . Minneapolis Police Chief Me- writing experience. We Dr . Bradford Langenfeld, the daria Arradondo testified that need writers who can emergency physician who tried police policy and training require cover New Orleans news stories, ranging from to resuscitate George Floyd, testi- officers to de-escalate situations local high school sports, fied that he thought Floyd died of and minimize use of force . Offi- community events, City asphyxia . Langenfeld was on duty cers are trained in basic first aid Hall and entertainment. at the Hennepin County Medical and must provide help as soon Experience in print is necessary, experience in Center when paramedics brought as possible while waiting for digital and social media Floyd in after trying to resuscitate Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo told jurors Monday that paramedics, and Chauvin should are encouraged. him for 30 minutes . former officer Derek Chauvin’s restraint of Floyd “absolutely” violated have stopped forcibly restrain- He said Floyd’s heart had al- department policy. He said that the restraint should have stopped ing Floyd when Floyd stopped “once Mr. Floyd stopped resisting” and “once he was in distress and Compensation is ready stopped when he arrived, verbalized it.” resisting, Arradondo said . competitive and great story ideas will be Publisher appreciated. If you are interested, please email your resume and 3 writing samples to: terrybjones@bellsouth. net and datanewseditor@ Troy Carter... bellsouth.net. The Right Choice for LA 2nd Congressional District We can’t wait to hear from you! trict get out and vote for the person under one tent . And yes, it is important to have best suited to represent our district . He is also a dedicated to family someone who is a fighter, but one that person my friends is Troy Carter . and people in the community . Troy must also have the temperament After finishing first in the pri- is one who gives back to the com- and understanding of compromise mary by double digits, it is time to munity and this is who we need . He and relationships in getting the put him over the top and send him has the compassion, competence, district the things we need . This is to Washington D .C . where he can and dedication to continue the great something Troy’s done throughout immediately begin getting things work Cedric Richmond has done his time as a public servant . Terry B. Jones done . The reason Troy is being en- for the District . He is the right candidate, so we This space can be Publisher, dorsed by a wide array of voters and He sees this and that is why are asking all to please get out and Data News Weekly interest groups is because over his Richmond and so many others vote for Troy Carter . . THE RIGHT career in politics and business, he’s that include Data News Weekly CHOICE for Louisiana 2nd Con- The time is now that citizens of proven he is a bridge builder who are endorsing Troy Carter . gressional District . yours for only $80 Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional Dis- can bring various interest together ladatanews.com EARLY VOTE The People’s Website Call Now! APRIL 10-17 follow us on 504-821-7421

GET YOURS IN @DataNewsWeek Page 8 April 10 - April 16, 2021 www.ladatanews.com

Brought to you by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Because Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. has more stories to tell.

Get vaccinated when it’s your turn. Overcoming obstacles isn’t just part of our history, it’s our heritage. It’s why the story of COVID vaccines has Black doctors and scientists at its center. And one of the reasons Dr. Gates got vaccinated.

Learn more at cdc.gov/coronavirus