COVID-19 Education: How are Louisiana’s K-12 educators?

COVID Education crisis has been discussed worldwide, this three-part series presents the stories of Louisiana Black educators’ experiences during six waves of COVID in three years.

Three years of COVID, survey shows Louisiana educators experience an array of emotions

Forty Louisiana educators completed an online survey designed to understand—as much as possible—the impact three years of the coronavirus pandemic has had on Louisiana educators, including paraprofessionals, teaching staff, and principals.  The survey, conducted by the Jozef Syndicate, asked Black K-12 educators: “How are you?”  Overall, their responses spanned every emotion: fearful, depressed, isolated, unsupported, less-than-human, proud of … Continue reading

Educators quickly responded to COVID-19 but how has it impacted them?

Black K-12 educators said they would dress as if they were going to work, disconnect from COVID reports which fed their fears, and stay focused on their children to keep their spirits up during the three-year pandemic. “For me, prayer was my saving grace,” said Zanetta Trahan, a high school teacher in Baton Rouge.

Where were you on March 9, 2020? Black educators remember the early days of COVID-19

Many people may not remember that date. However, engrained in the memories of many Louisiana teachers is Thursday, March 12, 2020, when Governor John Bel Edwards declared a public health emergency, closed all K-12 public schools, and banned gatherings. Black K-12 educators in Louisiana said they overcame chaos, fears, and challenges during the COVID pandemic. (Part 1)

After three pandemic years, how are Louisiana’s K-12 educators?

Three years ago, Louisiana’s K-12 educators, principals, support staff, paraprofessionals, and specialists faced one of the biggest –and most difficult– challenges of their careers: the coronavirus pandemic, known as COVID-19.  They quickly adjusted in order to transition into virtual learning environments during the height of the pandemic. They transitioned back into schools bearing multiple COVID-restrictions … Continue reading

Gift Giving for the Culture

This pandemic’s push has birthed House of Favor–a brand that fuses faith and culture with gift-giving.

Songs for Mama: Grieving son creates project a year after COVID loss

Ronaldo Hardy foursixtwenty

Grieving son creates music project dedicated to the experience of losing his mother to COVID-19. Ronaldo Hardy, of Baton Rouge, hopes to help others heal from similar losses.

Parenting during this pandemic requires an ‘anointing’ many already possess

With today’s coronavirus pandemic, parents and grandparents are facing a crisis never before seen. From dealing with health fears, sharp shifts to virtual learning, job losses, and political protests, parenting youth today–in a world that’s vastly changing–has become more challenging and overwhelming. Nearly half of parents of children under age 18 said their stress levels … Continue reading

Painting protests and pandemic: From canvas to masks

It’s not folk art, but Tedism. It is the unique style of art and storytelling by Ted Ellis. For nearly 30 years, Ellis’ art unfolds and celebrates the traditional values of Black culture and lifestyle. He has beautifully captured that lifestyle on large canvas and prints. In the energy of this year’s drastic lifestyle changes for … Continue reading

Eight Southern University leaders join health equity task force

Southern University System will have eight representatives on Governor John Bel Edwards Louisiana COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force. The task force, which will meet for the first time on Friday, April 24, will focus on research and actions to improve health outcomes and equity for the state’s residents in response to COVID-19. The group’s progress … Continue reading