Lighting The Road To The Future Alicia Carr’s Data Zone Big Birthday Bash Page 6 “The People’s Paper” March 2 - March 8, 2019 53nd Year Volume 44 www.ladatanews.com A Data News Weekly Exclusive Mayor Cantrell Speaks with Data News Weekly Page 2 Newsmaker National News Baby Dolls’ Calling for Unique Mardi Gras KKK Night Tradition Riders? Page 4 Page 11 Page 2 March 2 - March 8, 2019 Cover Story www.ladatanews.com Mayor Cantrell Speaks with Data News Weekly Talks Fair Share, Infrastructure, Equity and Her Place in History Mayor LaToya Cantrell breaking down barriers to equity in New Orleans. Edwin Buggage Editor On the eve of the Mayor’s Annual Mardi Gras Ball, Data News Weekly sat down with New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, where she spoke to Editor, Edwin Buggage and Pub- lisher, Terry Jones regarding a host of issues on this day . As we entered Mayor Cantrell greeted us like she always does as family members . Speaking with her is less like an interview and more like speaking to a relative or friend at a dinner table . The Mayor is one who is well Cover Story, Continued on page 3. Mayor Cantrell continues to make history as the first Woman Mayor of New Orleans. One of her goals is to inspire young girls and women that they can reach their full potential. 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 bellsouth.net Edwin Buggage CEO/Publisher Glenn Summers Marc H. Morial Advertising Inquiries Edwin Buggage Ruthie Hawkins Cover Story . 2 Commentary . 8 Edward Carter, III Editor Nsenga K, Burton, Ph.D. datanewsad@ Dr. Anisa Shomo Cheryl Mainor Julienne Malveaux Newsmaker . 4 Health News . 9. bellsouth.net Hannah Joy Shareef Managing Editor Kelsyn Parker Calla Victoria Jordan Spencer State & Local News . 5 National News . 11. Lauren Victoria Burke Distribution Executive Assistant Art Direction & Production On The Run June Hazeur Pubinator.com Data Zone . 6 Editorial Submissions Accounting datanewseditor@ Courier Services 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 March 2 - March 8, 2019 Page 3 Cover Story, Continued from page 2. studied and abreast on the issues . Black and Woman: And in her first few months in office Mayor Cantrell and she has proven to be the fighter Her Place in History for people from all zip codes . This On this day as we speak to the is one of the things that’s endeared Mayor, we are nearing the end of her to the citizens of New Orleans Black History Month and nearing that elected her as she continues the beginning of Women’s His- her historic reign as the first Wom- tory Month . In our nation and in an Mayor of New Orleans . our City, we are at a watershed moment and as LaToya Cantrell Fair Share and is making history as the City’s Infrastructure first woman mayor; in addition to Improvements being an African-American holds In the forefront of her agenda special significance . was her ‘Fair Share Initiative’ “Making history as our first Cantrell said, “We need to get woman mayor in our city in 300 our fair share of revenue from the years is an awesome responsibil- state and business community to ity and knowing I might be the help rebuild the City’s infrastruc- first, but will not be the last,” ture problems .” With a sense of ur- she says with a smile and sense gency in her voice she says, “We’ve of accomplishment and triumph . kicked that can down the road and Understanding her role in being it can’t go any further .” Data News Weekly Editor, Edwin Buggage, New Orleans Mayor, LaToya Cantrell and Data News Weekly a trailblazer bringing hope to gen- Publisher, Terry Jones. erations of other women that they One project she spoke can achieve greatness . “I realize of pressing concern the significance of my election was Sewerage and and breaking the ceiling, but the Water Board most satisfying part is that it is not “All of reserves being spent just about me, but it can inspire so before our administration up- many other women .” wards to 85 million dollars . Understanding the challenges Right now, we are asking for 75 of how her leadership will be mea- million dollars to repair in some sured as being the first is some- cases 100-year-old drains . This thing she understands but is poised is something that as many of our to face the challenge . Something citizens know affects our quality she’s proven more than cut out of life and our safety as well .” for since Hurricane Katrina show- She is seeking the help of all ing she is a leader that can bring stakeholders to come up with cre- people from various constituencies ative solutions to solve the infra- together under one umbrella . “This structure problem . Recently, the is a great time not just for me but mayor reached out to Governor Ed- other women to show we can lead wards’ asking him to create a task “We need to look at infrastructure as our top priority. “We must focus on potholes, the Green Water Man- as executives . Also, it speaks to our force that would look at the issues agement Plan, and transportation accessibility. This is not only just common sense; it also makes good ability to build consensus that will surrounding re-directing revenues business sense,” says Mayor Cantrell in regard to her Fair Share Initiative, a plan aimed at rebuilding the not just uplift women, but our com- City’s infrastructure. to New Orleans towards infrastruc- munity as a whole .” ture projects and to re-convene in says, “The City of N .O . already 30 days with a decision . has a mandated 35% DBE minor- Mayor Cantrell is also the Co- ity participation . But in the case Chair on Infrastructure for the Na- of Sewerage and Water Board tional Conference of Mayors with they do not have a mandated 35 Mayor Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles . percent it has a greater flexibil- She is taking a holistic view of infra- ity . I think this can be a great op- structure improvements . “We need portunity to move more minori- to look at infrastructure as our top ty-based firms to become prime priority . It is one of the lessons we contractors .” should have learned post-Katrina .” In a City that even in the face Continuing she says, ‘We must fo- of some demographic shifts in cus on potholes, the Green Water certain neighborhoods it still is Management Plan, and transporta- a majority Black City . But when tion accessibility . This is not only it comes to contracting and busi- just common sense; it also makes ness opportunities it is often a good business sense .” tale of two cities . Where the pen- dulum of prosperity often swings Equity and one-way . Mayor Cantrell be- Opportunity for All lieves that expanding access and As the City possibly have more helping minority business build infrastructure projects coming capacity to become prime con- down the pipeline; it is important tractors could be a win-win for that more minorities are able to ac- the City . “We have an opportuni- cess contracting and employment ty to do more and to create more opportunities . equity in our city . We cannot get Mayor Cantrell speaks opti- tunnel vision and focus on 35% mistically about what she be- when structuring these projects . lieves is possible in this area . I feel we can be more ambitious Speaking enthusiastically, she where we can do both .” Page 4 March 2 - March 8, 2019 Newsmaker www.ladatanews.com Purchased Lives Exhibit Examines the Roots of African Americans By Kelsyn Parker connecting the bloodline of the Afri- sion,” Gaudin told the audience as Data News Weekly can-American Community, Honora she dissected her family’s origins Contributor reminded the audience . It was not with documentation of their story unusual for descendants of slaves that she has uncovered from Tu- Time flies by and memories to slightly change their given last lane University and family photos are often forgotten, however names for multiple purposes, he that were handed down to her . She a historical footprint left be- explained . A change of a last name added that knowing the history of hind by ancestors leave a rich might initially indicate a discon- her family amazes her as it gives history of their roots that still nect from heritage, but this is not her the feeling of fulfillment . thrives today . Documentation the case at all with documentation, “Purchased Lives has given me of their past grants today’s so- which will show what the original the opportunity to tell my story ciety an all access pass to their name after a change of last name . of discovering my background,” origins . Historian Wendy Gaud- Records from the past, such as birth Gaudin said, encouraging the audi- in and Professional Genealogist certificates, death certificates, mar- ence to engage in research about Jari Honora dissected Gaudin’s riage certificates, and even photo- their genealogy . Creole Heritage at a public lec- graphs all offer clues to the mys- Both Gaudin and Honora believe ture on Feb . 19, 2019 for the tery of who African- Americans are it is necessary that African-Amer- exhibit: “Purchased Lives: The and where they come from, he said .