By Garry Blanson At the end of my last ORBH article, the members of “The Colored Chamber of Commerce Committee” had just been informed that they would have to come up with “the entire amount of money for a building…
Category: Opinions
Our Rich Black Heritage: The Humble Beginnings Of The Carver-McDonald Library, In Monroe, Louisiana
By Garry Blanson Please note that this is part one of a two-part series. Way, way, way before “black citizens” in Monroe, Louisiana even had the money to acquire a building for a library, and when Negroes weren’t allowed entrance…
Our Rich Black Heritage: “The First Negro Zulu Mardi Gras Parade in Monroe, Louisiana”
By Garry Blanson Part Two from last week First, let me welcome everyone back for Part Two of this series! Next, I would like to thank “Lora Peppers,” in the Genealogy Department at the Main Branch of the Ouachita Parish…
Our City, Our Community
By Marie Brown Dear Neighbors, As Marie Brown, a fellow resident deeply invested in the vibrancy of our community and our city, I often reflect on how life’s journey can sometimes divert us, causing us to lose sight of our…
Our Rich Black Heritage: Frank Perkins, Negro Founder and President of “The XYZ Club” of Monroe, Louisiana
By Garry Blanson “The First Annual Negro Zulu Mardi Gras Parade ever held in Monroe” Please Note: This is part of a two-part series. Well, I must admit that as a Black male currently living in the Booker T. Washington…
Our City, Our Community
By Marie Brown August is upon us, and those of us who are football fans can start planning for all the fall games, including high school, college,, and professional. There is absolutely nothing like sitting in the stands on Friday…
Our Rich Black Heritage: 50 Year Anniversary of the B. D. Robinson Commissioned “Black Bicentennial Report”
By Garry Blanson In October of 2025, Facebook finally “began payouts” from the “2022 class action lawsuit” that resulted from the “Cambridge Analytica scandal,” and other privacy violations. In order to have qualified for receiving settlement funds, you must have…