We encourage our readers to vote “No” on the constitutional amendment on the November 5th ballot. It’s a simply reason: Every program and project should not be in the constitution; that’s it plain and simple. The amendment is about dedicating…
Category: Editorial
Our Rich Black Heritage: Mary Frances Robinson Goins
By Garry Blanson Well, this week’s Black Pioneer hails from a family of distinguished Black Educators residing in Monroe, Louisiana. Beginning first with her parents Solomon Lee Robinson and Josephine Parks Robinson. You know, it’s puzzling to me as to…
No more automatic water rate increases, promise made and kept
Your water bill may increase next year, but it won’t be automatic. Thanks to the push of Monroe’s Southside delegation the old practice of automatically increasing water rates without any review has ended. In its place, the council will review…
Our Rich Black Heritage: Jane Serepeta Dean
By Garry Blanson Although Jane was born into slavery in Northern Virginia, she never let it keep her from striving to better herself, her immediate family, and her Race! At the end of the American Civil War, schools for Colored…
First 100 Days of Ellis administration was rocky; no Southside respect
The first 100 days of the Ellis administration have been sprinkled with signs of hope but riddled with confrontations between a mayor bent on showing the council that he has the big guns and a well-dug-in council majority bent on…
Our Rich Black Heritage: Maryland Brooks, “The Colored Cattle King” & Meat Grocer of Ouachita & Morehouse Parish
By Garry Blanson Part Two of a Two-Part Series. Although, Maryland Brooks had customers in Ouachita and Morehouse Parishes, his home was located here in Monroe, Louisiana, and his address was listed as 2305 Breard Street. Out of curiosity, I…
Next parish NAACP leader must lead the fight
As the Ouachita Parish NAACP prepares to select a new leader following Reverend Ambrose Douzart’s resignation, it’s crucial to reflect on the organization’s storied history and consider its future direction. For nearly a century, this branch has been at the…