Written by: Sherreta R. Harrison In any moment of societal upheaval, there emerges a unique and necessary role: the activist. An activist is one who is usually aware of causes and challenges before the rest of the world and tries tirelessly to get the rest of us on board. As a result, he or she …
Written by: Lauren Crump Sometimes, philanthropy gets in its own way. Etymologically, it’s “the love of humanity”. In practice, it’s a financial contribution. But in many circles, it’s considered an opportunity and distinction reserved for the wealthy. What’s wrong with that? Philanthropy doesn’t suggest a certain amount. It is simply a contribution to long-term strategy …
Written by: Moon Muhammad On March 13th, in the midst of an unrelenting course collaboration, we got word that the governor had announced school closures. To be fair, only a handful of first – year teachers had gotten the word at my school and had naturally taken to the halls to showcase their exuberant happiness …
Written by: Luke St. John McKnight During times of uncertainty and unrest there is often much discussion around the need for systems change, the societal software update. Systems change by its nature is a complex and ever evolving field, but the literature of adaptive leadership offers several tenants to think through and work from when …
Written by: Johnathan S. Hill Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic, recent tragedies involving African-Americans and law enforcement and the word-wide response to both of these events has presented individuals, organizations, institutions, businesses, schools, and churches with an opportunity to explore and approach leadership in news ways. Over the past few months, leaders have found themselves attempting …
Many of the city’s leading organizations have had to significantly adjust theiroperations due to COVID19. While many continue to work to find new andinnovative ways to serve you, the response won’t be “a straight line”. Read on tofind out how BREC, CATS, EBR Housing Authority and others have responded toour city’s latest crisis.
This week two opinion pieces stirred emotions and thoughts deep within me. To my knowledge, Charles Blow and Ashley K. Shelton do not know each other even though they are from the same part of the world. Yet, they both wrestled with the prickly notion of the impact of preexisting inequities on the programmatic, policy, …
Of the 23 applicants for the Superintendent position that is currently open in East Baton Rouge Parish School System (EBRPSS), a number of them are highly qualified with decades of experience in education. A Texas consulting firm recommended 14 of them to continue in the hunt. At last week’s meeting, the School Board selected 5 …
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A working committee of the grassroots organization Urban Congress on African American Males in Baton Rouge volunteered to provide an independent review of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections (DoC) pilot 100-hr Pre-Release Program (a reentry preparation curriculum) by conducting a two-phase interview process with representatives of both inmate and staff …
There has been much discussion in recent weeks around the subject of violence in the Baton Rouge community. Elected officials, law enforcement leaders, clergy, community activists, and community members from all walks of life have offered their thoughts on this important matter. Many have passionately called for action to address the seemingly non-stop cycle of …
By Donney Rose On Saturday, June 8th a collective of Baton Rouge organizations hosted Reel Dads, a fishing event held at Howell Park designed primarily to connect Black boys with their fathers/community father figures for an afternoon of fishing and bonding. The park was full of young Black boys joyously participating in simulated and real …
StoryCorps’, a narrative based organization whose mission is to preserve and share humanity’s stories in order to build connections between people and create a more just and compassionate world, shares thousands of stories from everyday people. The following is one of their animations that features the tale of Reverend James Seawood grew up in the …
by Donney Rose Yesterday (April 11) the city of Los Angeles and the global hip hop community bid farewell to slain rapper, Nipsey Hussel. Hussel, who was gunned down on March 31st in front of the clothing store he owned, was a beacon of hope and inspiration for the Crenshaw district of south central Los …
by Donney Rose On his 2018 album Book of Ryan, hip hop artist Royce da 5’9 raps about the importance of checking up on your ‘strong friend’ on a song aptly titled “Strong Friend”. In the song’s intro Royce gives listeners a sound piece of advice when he begins with the lines “reflections of your …
A recent study from the East Baton Rouge Coroner’s Office showed a dramatic increase in Black male suicides within the past seven years. On Tuesday, March 25th a host of community leaders and organizations will host My Brother, You Matter, a gathering designed to shed light on this crisis and to offer resources and solutions. …
Tracing Our Roots: BB & PF By: Moon Muhammad On the outskirts of Florida Blvd, nestled behind a timeless American Pawn Shop, is the home of African based restaurant BB & PF – Bean Burgers and Plantain Fries. I was introduced to this restaurant by a local friend of mine whose descriptions of savory seasoning, …
The Urban Congress is gearing up for the annual General Convening on Saturday, April 13th and request selfie images of African American males in Baton Rouge living daily within their respective villages. Please send your “Images From The Village” selfie to donney@metromorphosis.net. Select images will be printed and displayed at the Convening!
[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”20px|||” next_background_color=”#4368a7″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” padding_top_1=”0px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Content” _builder_version=”3.19.4″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” text_font_size=”16px”] For Black History Month 2019, MetroMorphosis will do weekly tributes to African American figures and/or movements that align with the core principles of our organization and its programming. Focusing on the pillars of social advocacy (Urban Congress …
The Urban Congress is currently conducting two research projects: A 100-hr Pre-Release Assessment with Formerly Incarcerated Persons and an interview of male participants of the Urban Congress and other Community activists/workers who are partnered in MetroMorphosis work. The Reentry work will be used to impact reentry processes in our state in order to improve …
[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”20px|||” next_background_color=”#4368a7″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” padding_top_1=”0px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Content” _builder_version=”3.19.4″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” text_font_size=”16px” text_text_color=”#000000″] For Black History Month 2019, MetroMorphosis will do weekly tributes to African American figures and/or movements that align with the core principles of our organization and its programming. Focusing on the pillars of social advocacy (Urban …
[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”20px|||” next_background_color=”#4368a7″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” padding_top_1=”0px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Content” _builder_version=”3.19.4″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” text_font_size=”16px”] MetroMorphosis and 100 Black Women of Baton Rouge are partnering with Black Out Loud Conference to host The Color of Currency symposium Saturday, February 2nd at Louisiana Leadership Institute. The Color of Currency is a one-day symposium designed …
[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”20px|||” next_background_color=”#4368a7″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” padding_top_1=”0px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Content” _builder_version=”3.19.4″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” text_font_size=”16px”] by Donney RoseJanuary 23, 2019 January is National Mentoring Month and a network of some of Baton Rouge’s most impact driven agencies are committed to ensuring that the youth of Baton Rouge see a drastic increase in …
[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”20px|||” next_background_color=”#4368a7″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” padding_top_1=”0px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Content” _builder_version=”3.19.4″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” text_font_size=”16px”] For decades the Black barbershop has been regarded as a sanctuary of sorts for African American men to discuss everything from sports to politics to relationship advice. A few months back the team at MetroMorphosis began a …
[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”20px|||” next_background_color=”#4368a7″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” padding_top_1=”0px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Content” _builder_version=”3.19.3″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” text_font_size=”16px”] #CulturalExchange: Short Interviews w/ Local Change Agents Ronaldo Hardy is the pastor at Love Alive Church Urban Renewal: For those unfamiliar with you, who is Ronaldo Hardy and what are the driving forces behind your work?Ronaldo Hardy: …
[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”20px|||” next_background_color=”#4368a7″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” padding_top_1=”0px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Content” _builder_version=”3.19.3″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” text_font_size=”16px”] Mini Interview with local change agent Chris Tyson, President and CEO, East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority and Newman Trowbridge Distinguished Professor of Law, LSU Law Center Urban Renewal: For those unfamiliar with you and your work, who …
[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”20px|||” next_background_color=”#4368a7″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” padding_top_1=”0px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Content” _builder_version=”3.19.3″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” text_font_size=”16px”] #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday …
[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”20px|||” next_background_color=”#4368a7″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” padding_top_1=”0px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Content” _builder_version=”3.19.3″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” text_font_size=”16px”] Mini Interviews w/ Local Change Agent Kina Reed, founder of Hey Sis, a monthly sister circle of African American women in Baton Rouge Urban Renewal: How would you describe who Kina Reed is as an individual, a professional …
[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”20px|||” next_background_color=”#4368a7″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” padding_top_1=”0px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Content” _builder_version=”3.19.3″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” text_font_size=”16px”] via The Atlantic November 13, 2018 by Edward-Isaac Dovere Article Byline: Most of the winners are under 40. And most seem likely to run for even higher offices down the line Read More HERE [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” …
[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”20px|||” next_background_color=”#4368a7″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” padding_top_1=”0px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Content” _builder_version=”3.19.3″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” text_font_size=”16px”] Guest Column via The Advocate November 13, 2018 by Raymond Jetson MetroMorphosis’ Chief Executive Catalyst, Raymond Jetson, recently penned an op-ed for The Advocate about the untimely shooting death of a 6-year-old Baton Rouge boy, Jahiem Holliday. …
[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”20px|||” next_background_color=”#4368a7″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” padding_top_1=”0px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Content” _builder_version=”3.19.3″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” text_font_size=”16px”] Article Excerpt: Allred was a hometown hero who played linebacker at Hillcrest High School in Texas. He went on to play college football at Baylor before starting his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans in 2006. He …
[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”20px|||” next_background_color=”#4368a7″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” padding_top_1=”0px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Content” _builder_version=”3.19.3″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” text_font_size=”16px”] As millions around the nation watched the results of the historic 2018 midterms election season, a quaint gathering of city and state politicians, community advocates and young urban business professionals convened at the bar and lounge of …
[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”20px|||” next_background_color=”#4368a7″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” padding_top_1=”0px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Content” _builder_version=”3.19.3″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” text_font_size=”16px”] Mini Interviews w/ Local Change Agent Gary Chambers, Publisher of The Rouge Collection Urban Renewal: How would you describe yourself as a citizen of Baton Rouge for those who are not familiar with you? Gary Chambers: I’m …
[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”20px|||” next_background_color=”#4368a7″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” padding_top_1=”0px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Content” _builder_version=”3.19.3″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” text_font_size=”16px”] “James, a native of Baton Rouge and graduate of Southern University Law School, spoke about the passage of legislation in Louisiana that has restored voting rights for convicted felons” Louisiana House Representative, Edward ‘Ted‘ James, was a …
[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”20px|||” next_background_color=”#4368a7″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” padding_top_1=”0px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Content” _builder_version=”3.19.3″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” text_font_size=”16px”] “In general the evening was one of substantive dialogue and an interrogation of best choices. The audience members were certainly left enough perspective to make sound decisions as to which candidates would work for their respective districts.” …
[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”20px|||” next_background_color=”#4368a7″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.100″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” padding_top_1=”0px”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.19.3″ src=”https://metromorphosis.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/drose.jpeg” /][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Content” _builder_version=”3.19.3″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” text_font_size=”16px”] Greetings, Welcome to Urban Renewal, a community and culture blog dedicated to creating/sharing content reflective of the ideals and work of MetroMorphosis. Followers of this blog can expect a vast array of information/editorials …
