Lighting The Road To The Future Freret Street Data Zone Festival Highlights Page 6 “The People’s Paper” April 13 - April 19, 2019 53nd Year Volume 50 www.ladatanews.com A Data News Weekly Exclusive UNITY-1 REBUILDS WITH COMMUNITY SUPPORT Page 2 Newsmaker State & Local Norman Francis to Receive 2019 Real Estate Laetare Medal and the Arts Page 4 Page 5 Page 2 April 13 - April 19, 2019 Cover Story www.ladatanews.com Unity-1 on the Road to Rebuilding Community Comes Together to Help Re-Open Iconic Business L-R Deborah Griffin, Organizer of fundraiser, John and Beverly Smith, owners of Unity-1 Beauty Owner Beverly Smith vows to rebuild Unity-1 and says it Supply and Hair Salon and Bertha Bradley, owner of Bertha’s Place. will be even better and appreciates all the support they are getting from the community. Edwin Buggage Editor away and tragedy arose as the car crashed into After the fire an outpouring of support came Unity-1 Beauty Salon, causing a three-alarm fire from all over the city, state and nation regarding that left the iconic Broadmoor business building the rebuilding of what has become an institution Fire Damages Historic engulfed in flames leaving it presently inoper- in the African-American community . Data News Business in Broadmoor able . Also, three lives were lost, the two young Weekly spoke with Beverly Smith DPC (Doctor On March 20th NOPD officers were in pur- men in the vehicle and one woman inside the of Professional Cosmetology) who owns the busi- suit of what they believed was a car that was sto- salon who later succumbed to burns sustained ness with her husband John Smith, who founded len . As officers became disengaged the car sped in the fire . the business in 1981 . Cover Story, Continued on page 3. DATA NEWS WEEKLY P.O. 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Not responsible for publishing or return of unsolicited manuscripts or photos. www.ladatanews.com Cover Story April 13 - April 19, 2019 Page 3 Cover Story, Continued from page 2. Unity-1 Trailblazer in rebuilding bigger and better,” Ms . Bertha’s Place was also dam- and moving toward rebuilding our The Value of Life Black Haircare Industry Beverly says with confidence and aged by fire . But today Bertha’s business . People really care .” All Lives Matter and in this in New Orleans optimism ringing in her voice . is in a new location and is going Also closer to home in Broad- tragedy three lives were lost . With As we are known the Black Hair- Speaking of their impact in the stronger than ever with the com- moor where their business is lo- compassion and care in her voice care Industry is a multi-billion-dol- community she says, “We have munity continuing to support her . cated neighboring business are she says, “I talked to one of the lar industry and was traditionally helped the homeless to help tran- This is something that encour- pitching in to help, “Propeller, a boy’s mother and the other one’s where Black Entrepreneurs could sition to permanent housing . We ages Ms . Beverly, feeling their business accelerator that works grandmother and I gave them my find support from the Black com- offer training to them how to run family business will travel down a with small businesses is definitely condolences . We were there to munity and build wealth . Today a business and grow . We have a similar path . “It touched her heart reaching out . They have been support them with their prayer because she also had a fire to her very supportive and will be doing vigil .” Speaking of the young lady business . It touched her heart, a fundraiser on April 15th I have who lost her life she says, “Ms . she said I understand your pain also talked to Kathleen Rhodes of Shawan, was one of our custom- and if I can do anything to help . Rhodes Funeral Home and they ers . We all went to her funeral and Love and prayers are phenomenal . said they are willing to help in any Cover Story, Continued It something to keep us motivated way possible .” on page 9. New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell (L) with Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson (L) and NOFD Superintendent Timothy McConnell (far right) at the scene of Unity-1 fire. while there are still businesses like product as well . Umoja Visions we Unity-1 that is Black Owned many employ people to work with the have gone out of business . product line . Learn how to become But Beverly Smith is determined entrepreneurs .” to continue the legacy they have Recently, the Bronner Brother built as they are on the road to re- Hair International Beauty Show build their business . came to New Orleans . There was “We are a family business that an outpouring of support for Uni- began in 1981 by my husband John ty-1 and its rebuilding . Speaking of Smith . I met him in 1982 and began when they were presented a check working with him building our busi- for 10,000 dollars presented to them ness that at one point had five loca- during an event Smith says, “Bron- tions and was the number one dis- ner Brother brought us on the main tributor of Black hair care products stage talked about our tragedy and in the Southeast region,” states Ms . asked everyone to support us and Beverly, a name many have come to James and Jessica Bronner gave know her by in the community . us a check to start restoration and Continuing talking about the renovations .” business she says, “We provide Locally, fundraisers are also professional products to serve pro- being held to help . Recently, at fessionals in hair care industry the Bertha’s Place, a local bar held general public . We also have a salon a fundraiser that was well at- as well . Beauty industry from all tended with an outpouring of over the city gone on and started support . “We had DJ Captain their own salon . We have been an Charles there, someone we have incubator in the community for known for a long time . He lives beauty professionals .” in our neighborhood we have done many things for us . Bertha Community Comes is someone we have known her Together to Support for a long time . We started our Rebuilding Effort business around the same time . Speaking of their contribution She is just like family . and the beginning stages of their Deborah planned and organized rebuilding she says, “We are reach- the party to assist with us getting ing out for resources . We have spo- some things for our immediate ken to Mayor Cantrell and our City needs .” Councilman Jay Banks for support . They’re both opening their We are a historic business with ties businesses is not the only thing in the community and we plan on they have in common; recently, Page 4 April 13 - April 19, 2019 Newsmaker www.ladatanews.com Norman Francis, Legendary Civil Rights and Higher Education Leader, to Receive 2019 Laetare Medal Xavier University Norman C . “I did not build Xavier; I was Francis received an Honorary Francis, longtime beloved Presi- part of Katharine Drexel’s mission Doctor of Laws Degree from Notre dent of Xavier University of Louisi- to provide a quality education for Dame in 1988 for his commitment ana, will receive the University of all,” Francis said . “All the people I to Education and Civil Rights . The Notre Dame’s 2019 Laetare Medal worked with were part of this plan University also recognized him — the oldest and most Prestigious and mission, which was not only in 2006 with a rare second Honor- Honor given to American Catholics honorable, but was totally neces- ary Doctorate for his tireless work — at Notre Dame’s 174th Univer- sary when you look back at what to rebuild his own institution and sity Commencement Ceremony on the United States was at the time .” serve as Chair of Louisiana Recov- May 19th (Sunday) . Born in Lafayette, Louisiana, in ery Authority . “For more than 50 years, Dr . 1931, Francis was one of five chil- The Laetare (pronounced lay- Francis has been at the center of dren, and his early education took TAH-ray) Medal is so named be- Civil Rights aAdvocacy by leverag- place in Catholic schools run by cause its recipient is announced ing the power of Catholic higher Spiritan Priests and Sisters of the each year in celebration of Laetare education,” said Notre Dame Presi- Blessed Sacrament — all funded Sunday, the fourth Sunday in Lent dent Rev . John I . Jenkins, C .S .C by. Drexel’s Philanthropy during on the Church calendar . “Laetare,” “In bestowing the Laetare Medal a time when American Catholic the Latin word for “rejoice,” is the upon him, Notre Dame recognizes churches were segregated . first word in the entrance antiphon his leadership in the fight for social In 1952, Francis became the of the Mass that Sunday, which ritu- justice through educational empow- first African-American admitted to ally anticipates the celebration of erment .” Loyola University Law School in Easter .