Lighting The Road To The Future Data Zone BWR TOUR HIGHLIGHTS Page 6 “The People’s Paper” October 16 - October 22, 2010 45th Year Volume 20 www.ladatanews.com Page 2 Drill Ban Newsmaker St. Mary’s Lifted to Reopen Page 10 Page 4 Photos by Victor Holt Page 2 October 16 - October 22, 2010 Cover Story www.ladatanews.com Passing the Torch: Gentlemen’s Club Brotherhood Event Often times the images of young Black men are etched in people’s minds via the media as a problem of By Edwin Buggage young men walking around with their pants sagging and lacking ambition . Also that there is a generation Photos by Harry Cass and gap where the elders are not guiding the young; these as are many portrayals of Black men are inaccurate . Edwin Buggage Today more Black men are stepping up to the plate being mentors, and fathers who are positive, working, guiding and inspiring the next generation but this is a face not often seen in the media or popular culture . Recently, The Urban League of Greater New Orleans under the leadership of Nolan Rollins, Dr . Andre Perry, Associate Dean of the College of Education and Human Development and CEO of the Capital One- Continued on next page. DATA NEWS WEEKLY P.O. Box 57347, New Orleans, LA 70157-7347 INSIDE DATA Phone: (504) 821-7421 | Fax: (504) 821-7622 editorial: [email protected] | advertising: [email protected] Terry B. Jones Contributors CEO/Publisher Edwin Buggage Glenn Jones Harry Cass Cover Story . 2 Commentary . 8 VP Advertising Erica Durousseau & Marketing Representative John Lewis Cheryl Mainor Lary Lucas Judge Greg Mathis Managing Editor Vincent Sylvain Newsmaker . 4 Letters to the Editor . 8 Edwin Buggage NNPA Newswire Editor Dionne Character Art Direction & Production State & Local News . 5 Health News . 9 Arts & Entertainment Editor MainorMedia.com Melanie Mainor Editorial Submissions Copy Editor Intern [email protected] June Hazeur Advertising Inquiries Data Zone . 6 National News . 11 Accounting [email protected] Please call (504) 309-9913 for subscription information. Dated material two weeks in advance. Not responsible for publishing or return of unsolicited manuscripts or photos. www.ladatanews.com Cover Story October 16 - October 22, 2010 Page 3 University of New Orleans Charter teaching kids, instructing them on time out to talk to us and offer ad- to a boxing match with the older men School Network along with Wilbert how to knot a tie even showing them vice and guidance about our future,” serving as trainers and motivators to “Chill” Wilson owner of Mr . Chill’s what became coined as the Landrieu says Simon as he speaks confidently the young, saying as Bundini Brown First Class Cuts who is an Entrepre- knot . Also in attendance to help was wearing his new tie . “Today these the famous corner man of the all- neur, published Author and Founder local style legend Freddy Perriott of men reached out and let me know time great Muhammad Ali told him of “Walk A Mile For A Child” joined Saks Fifth Avenue with tie tying tips that I can be whatever I want to be many times before he stepped into forces to put on an event called “The for the young men on hand . and that the tie represents respecta- the ring, “Rumble Young Man Rum- Gentleman’s Club Brotherhood One of the event organizers Dr . bility, but whether I have it on or not ble .” Using this example he contin- Event .” Andre Perry has spent his adult life it is important to still conduct myself ues saying, “Life is not easy and the Nineteen young men from lo- as an advocate for children . As one in a respectful manner ”. difference between those who win cal area high schools gathered and who has overcome adversity as a were paired with professional men young person and becoming a suc- who taught them how to tie ties in cess he believes it is the obligation addition to some receiving haircuts of men of the community to stand up and other grooming tips . The young and be part of the solution to prob- men also had one-on-one time with lems affecting the lives of young their mentors speaking with them men . He feels if these things are not about their career plans and aspi- done that later in life they may be- rations . Many men from all walks come roadblocks for them being the of life served as mentors with one fathers, husbands and leaders the goal investing in the future; those community needs moving forward . in attendance included former City Perry says this event is an impor- Council Member James Carter, N O. tant step in helping young men rec- Saints cornerback Jabari Greer who ognizing that presenting themselves arrived with his one year old son in in a professional manner is more tow donning a tie and New Orleans than simply a transformation of an Mayor Mitch Landrieu were on hand outward appearance but change in a to share and give back . more holistic way . Perry believes to- “The event is a rites of passage and day it is important for men to reach we did it in a style, all New Orleans out and help build for the next gen- with food and music that reflects our eration . Saying that a more hands James Carter, is one who has and lose in life is how they handle culture” says Wilbert “Chill” Wilson, on approach is necessary “It takes a been known as a child advocate, he adversity, so today we are here to “I think in these times we need to go level of intimacy and trust between a is walking around inside of Chill’s let them know they can turn to us in back to more formal ways, using cer- man and young boy in tying a tie, it barbershop talking to young people their times of need .” emonies to teach our boys and show- is something that connects them and giving them encouraging words and One of the participants helping a ing them how men are to conduct I hope this is the beginning of some- working with one youngster helping young man tie his knot is a brother themselves ”. On hand to share was thing that can become a tradition in him tie his knot . “The ceremony is named Dwight Bell . All of twenty- Mayor Mitch Landrieu who was af- this, a city that already has so many important, but more importantly this seven he has seen his life make a fable and accessible telling his story wonderful traditions,” says Perry . is about letting our young people complete 180 . As Wilbert “Chill” to the young men about his life and Troy Simon was one of the young know that they are somebody and Wilson introduced him to everyone his own son Benjamin and tying a tie men in attendance . He said the time that we are here to give them the at first he seemed a bit shy in telling and it was a moment of bonding be- spent with the mentors was helpful, tools of success,” says Carter . He his story, but soon he chimed in on tween them; he also participated in “I just appreciate these men taking compares the struggle of young men his story of how he for a time lived Continued on page 10. Page 4 October 16 - October 22, 2010 NewsmakerCover Story www.ladatanews.com A New Look for an Age Old Tradition By Erica Durousseau natural philosophy, higher es to a new location . The former mathematics, world histo- St . James Major School in Gentilly St. Mary’s ry, chemistry, bookkeep- would serve as new grounds for ing, and of course French . St . Mary’s students . prepares to To help build social skills But there’s no place like home! and talents outside of their Sticking to their school motto, reopen it’s doors basic education, the girls “No Excellence Without Hard chose electives like music Work”, St . Mary’s Academy is If you’re from New Orleans, or and painting, and tapestry now embarking on what can be have lived in the area a while, then making . The school was considered another great mile- you know that Catholic schools like none other . That is stone . With the new facility al- are not only a prestigious fixture until Xavier Preparatory most complete and ready for a in the backbone of the commu- opened, another second- grand re-opening, the buzz is nity, but also a face of leadership ary school for African American the new school and Motherhouse named the single worst disaster in phenomenal . Their new Band Di- in educational studies, sports and girls . Over the years, enrollment was built at the current location the history of the city . Like many rector, Ray Johnson, can feel the tradition . In fact, some of New Or- decreased and the fear that St . on Chef Menteur highway . The other schools, their students were excitement . “This is something leans’ great leaders have emerged Mary’s could disappear became unique curriculum continued to going to have to find another place we all have looked forward to for from the Catholic school system, evident . That’s when Mother grow and evolve, producing top to receive education, or simply some time, and the students and and it’s no wonder why the tradi- Mary Elizabeth began to focus scholars and more graduates each stay where they had ended up, dis- faculty are very excited”, says tion is still strong today . For St . specifically on re-vamping in 1930 year . By the 2002, a new leader- placed and scattered throughout Johnson .