Urban Renewal
Blog
We’ve Seen Enough!
It has been little over a month since our country was made aware of the fatal 8 minutes and 46 seconds in which Minneapolis police officers stood guard as one of their own weaponized his knee to not only strip George Floyd of his liberty, but also of his life. And...
The Urban Update (Issue 02)
Many of Baton Rouge’s leading organizations have had to significantly adjust their operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During these times of disruption and uncertainty, your organizational leaders have found adaptive and innovative ways to serve you through...
Racialized Rationales Summary Report
On April 23rd MetroMorphosis hosted a virtual community forum focused on examining the disparate impact COVID-19 has had on the African-American community and the consequences of that reality. The forum was attended by over 70 members of the community and a panel of...
The State of Black Boys and Men of Louisiana Report (2010)
This report substantiates and quantifies the extensive and shocking social status of too many of Louisiana‟s Black boys and men in the 21st century. What a full examination has shown is an overwhelming disparity and alarming rates in violence, homicide, incarceration,...
The Urban Update (Issue 01)
Many of the city's leading organizations have had to significantly adjust their operations due to COVID19. While many continue to work to find new and innovative ways to serve you, the response won't be "a straight line". Read on to find out how BREC, CATS, EBR...
Raymond Jetson: “It’s the Damn Inequities!”
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...
The Search for the Next Superintendent: An Open Letter
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 Last 100 Hours
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...
A Community Response to Disrupting Violence
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...
Hair & Health Highlighted In The Advocate
“Black men’s attention to their health leaves a lot to be desired," Jetson said, "and hypertension is especially an issue for people of color.” So now when guys head to the barbershop — so far 10 are participating — they also can have their blood pressure checked and...
Podcast
Urban Renewal Podcast Episode 15: From the Pulpit to the People (Part 2)
Raymond A. Jetson continues his conversation with 3 local ministers about the role of the church in renewing the village. This episode features a live audience.Guest(s): Jennifer Jones- Bridgett, Minister of Social Justice at Shiloh Baptist Church; Errol...
Urban Renewal Podcast Episode 14: From the Pulpit to the People (Part 1)
As we continue our conversation on the three pillars of the village: families, churches and schools, Raymond A. Jetson is joined by 3 local ministers to discuss the role of the church in the community. This episodes features a live audience.Guest(s):...
Urban Renewal Podcast Episode 13: The Learning Lottery (Systems that Impact Educational Outcomes)
As we turn our attention to the three pillars of the village: families, churches and schools, Raymond A. Jetson is joined by one of Baton Rouge's youngest school board members to discuss the role of education in The Village. Guest(s): Dadrius Lanus,...
Urban Renewal Podcast Episode 12: Changing the Terrain
We are continuing the conversation around the notion of "The Village Renewed". Raymond is joined by another Baton Rouge leader to discuss the key ingredients of the village, how we strengthen the village and how we renew it. Guest(s): Sam Sanders,...
Urban Renewal Podcast Episode 11: Detailing the Village (A Conversation w/ Trey Godfrey and Tasha Clark Amar)
We are continuing the conversation inspired of ‘The Village Renewed’ and are joined on this episode by a few key leaders in the Baton Rouge community to discuss exactly what/who is the village comprised of, what does it look like, how do we know, and how...
Urban Renewal Podcast Episode 10: The Politics of the Barbershop
As we continue to unpack this year's Urban Congress theme of "The Village Renewed", Raymond A. Jetson sits down with Congress delegates and community activists Eugene Collins and Vernard Sterling who facilitate Barbershop Talks to discuss their role in...
Urban Renewal Podcast Episode 9: Creating Equitable Living Space
Last month, the Urban Congress on African- American Males hosted its Annual Convening. The theme for the Convening and for the Urban Congress year is "The Village Renewed". In this episode of Urban Renewal, Raymond A. Jetson sits down with J. Daniels of the East...
Urban Renewal Podcast Episode 8: Changes Takes Creativity
Raymond A. Jetson continues his conversation with organizational partners about the importance of building with the community and how one organization uses creativity to bring about change in Baton Rouge.Guest(s): Casey Phillips, Executive Director of the...
Urban Renewal Podcast Episode 7: The Power of WE
MetroMorphosis believes that solutions to society's most pressing challenges must emerge organically and be owned by those closest to the challenge. "Transforming Urban Communities from Within" is more than just a tagline. It is our mission and our...
Urban Renewal Podcast Episode 6: The State of Black Girls and Women
The Urban Congress on African- American Males, a strategy of MetroMorphosis, is committed to improving outcomes for Black males in Baton Rouge. Connected to that, are those issues impacting the lives of girls and women in Baton Rouge. Chief Executive...
