The Talk: Race in America – This Saturday in Baton Rouge

July 5, 2017 by Meghan Matt

We have been through so much as a nation and I personally believe that in order to heal and move forward we must first and foremost acknowledge our wounds. Imagine if one of our children knocked his head on the concrete and came in with blood on his face, crying for our attention, and we ignored him or told him just to get over it. I don’t know of any mother who would do that, but there are so many people in our country crying out for us to just listen and hear them. Moms of Black Boys United, Inc., Progressive Social Network of Baton Rouge, Love Alive Church and BREC are partnering to host a viewing of the PBS documentary, THE TALK: Race in America this Saturday, July 8 from 10am-1pm. The viewing will be followed by a panel discussion and a Meet & Greet to allow guests to intermingle and learn more about each organization and the work they are doing in the community.

The Talk: Race in America

THE TALK is a two-hour documentary about the increasingly necessary conversation taking place in homes and communities across the country between parents of color and their children, especially sons, about how to behave if they are ever stopped by the police. This event will bring together a racially diverse audience to raise awareness about institutional racism and to discuss ways in which institutional racism can be identified, dismantled, and how disparities in policing based upon race can be eliminated. The panel will be hosted by Louisiana State University law professor Philip Hackney and panelists include:

Harry Turner, Founder of Distant Beginnings. Harry is a Licensed Master Social Worker who holds a Master of Social Work graduate degree from Louisiana State University. He is employed in the mental health department of a state correctional center and is also employed in the Emergency Department of a major nonprofit hospital. He has also received training by the Southern Law Enforcement Foundation to become a Critical Incident Stress De-briefer and has provided assistance to law enforcement who are/were impacted by tragic events in our community.

Jahi Mackey, Program Director and Founder of The 821 Project, a nonprofit organization that promotes global citizenship in south Louisiana by providing social justice and intercultural education programs to the local community. Jahi holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the University of New Orleans and a Masters of Arts in Intercultural Service Leadership and Management from the School of International Training Graduate Institute.

Anna West, a teacher of socially-engaged writing and research in the Humanities Amped program at McKinley High School, founder of WordPlay in Baton Rouge (now Forward Arts), co-founder of Louder than a Bomb, the country’s largest youth poetry slam festival as well as Mass LEAP, a Boston-based literary education and performance collective. She holds a B.A. in creative writing from Columbia College Chicago, a M.Ed. from Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a PhD in English Education from Louisiana State University.

Davondra Brown, a published co-author in the The Journal of African American Studies, a board member on the Professional Development Board for the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, a self published author and the founder and owner of Spiced Up Marriages. Mrs. Brown has earned a Bachelor’s in Philosophy, a Master’s in Education and an advanced certificate of Innovative Technologies in Health Science Education. As a mother of two black sons and two black godsons- one of which she lost to community violence- Davondra is also a proud member of Moms of Black Boys United for Social Change.

This event is free and open to the public and more information can be found on the Facebook event page here. Please register via Eventbrite here.

Fostering Dogs in Baton Rouge to Make a Difference

June 28, 2017 by Meghan Matt

When I used to think of animal shelters I imagined dark and dreary places with rows of sad animals who were left alone all the time. A year and a half ago- just a week or two after having our fourth child- I got it in my head we needed another dog. Maybe it was the crazy postpartum hormones, but I spent hours searching listings online and fell in love with a little black and white dog named Allie who was in foster care through our local shelter, Companion Animal Alliance. Little did I know that meeting this sweet baby with a burn scar on her back would be the beginning of a love affair with fostering dogs in Baton Rouge and learning more about the importance of spay/neuter and animal welfare.

Fostering Dogs in Baton Rouge to Make a Difference

As it turns out, shelters are not sad, scary places. They are just little pit stops for special animals in-between a hard situation and finding their forever families. Some come in as strays, others are surrendered by their owners, and occasionally they come in as cruelty cases, but once at CAA the animals receive the highest quality care and tons of attention before meeting their new loved ones. And no worries, mamas, they’re all behavior and aggression tested before they’re put out on the rows to be fostered or adopted, and once they pass each of them also gets daily doggie play groups to romp around with their four-legged friends, as well.

The summer season is always extremely busy at Companion Animal Alliance and we joke that it’s literally raining cats and dogs because they can receive between 30-50 homeless animals every single day, just like FelineLiving.net does! Just from May 1 until today, over 1400 animals have come through intake at our Baton Rouge shelter but the average for the entire year is about 8000. To free up kennels on the rows, CAA depends on fosters and rescue organizations to pull the animals and open up space.

The staff is always happy to work with foster families to find the perfect fit for their home, they even offer a complimentary photo-shoot for your family and your pet, so they can officially become part of the family, courtesy of pet photographer las vegas. Have a small child? They will make sure to send you home with an animal that will be gentle. Have a rambunctious dog that needs to be exercised? They can match you with another pup with lots of energy for them to wrestle and run with. Live in an apartment? No problem! There are plenty of animals that will do great in that environment.

Rio is our current foster dog available for adoption.

Volunteers are needed daily to give the dogs more play time, socialization and walks outside and to give the kitties some good lovin’, but once someone volunteers they fall in love with the animals and often also become advocates. In turn, friends, family and co-workers end up hearing about CAA and the amazing work they are doing and decide to volunteer or adopt as well.

All volunteers and foster parents attend a short training which are conveniently held 2-3x a month. Once you go through that you are free to come and go as you please to take out dogs to walk, play with, or train to make them more adoptable, or spend time with the cats on the newly renovated Catio! You can also go pull a foster just for a quick weekend together or a foster-to-forever that you keep in your home until the perfect family comes along. Watching animals who came in scared or reserved or just in need of some extra attention blossom into the perfect pet and find a home and people to love them forever is an indescribably beautiful feeling. Our family has found this experience to be so rewarding and it has taught our children so many lessons on responsibility, compassion and the welfare of animals.

The beautiful McCurry family who adopted our former foster dog, Rosie.

Be sure to check the Companion Animal Alliance website for tons of great info on fostering dogs in Baton Rouge, to learn more about what they do, the importance of spay/neuter, their Fostering Hope program for cancer survivors, their capital campaign to raise funds for a new facility, and other important topics. You can also sign up for an orientation so you and your babies can love on some fur babies, you won’t regret it. We hope to see you soon!

Listen To Your Mother Baton Rouge – Celebrating Motherhood

April 29, 2017 by Meghan Matt

About six years ago I learned of a show celebrating motherhood happening in cities across America. I later auditioned for that show when I lived in New York and though I didn’t make it (thanks a lot, ridiculous talent pool) I fell in love with the process and the show. Four years ago I applied to bring it here to our beautiful city and sure enough, the founder and team believed in me and in us and we were accepted.

Photo credit Jordan Hefler

Here we are about to have our third and final show here in Baton Rouge and I have so many emotions about it. Storytelling is my passion and I believe strongly in its power. Through hearing the experiences of others we develop empathy and compassion and expand our own world views. We gain understanding and also can feel such a sense of validation to know that others have experienced things we, too, have endured. We are reminded we are not alone and that don’t actually know it all. It links us together in ways that surface level exchanges and social media clips never will, and in a time where our community is so divided, I truly believe it can unite us in a magical way- even if just for a day.

Photo credit Jordan Hefler

The mission of each Listen to Your Mother production is to take the audience on a well-crafted journey that celebrates and validates mothering through giving voice to motherhood–in all of its complexity, diversity, and humor- through original readings performed live on-stage by their authors. Our cast this year is made up of 13 absolutely incredible people of all ages and backgrounds who will make you laugh and cry and say “me too.” It will be a time to bring our own mothers and grandmothers, daughters and sons, and those who raised us together to honor motherhood in whatever form that carries for each of us.

Tickets, details, and cast and sponsor info can be found at listentoyourmothershow.com/batonrouge. We hope to see all of you at The Trademark on Third next Sunday, May 7 at 2pm!

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Celebrating Baton Rouge with Mayor-President Broome

January 3, 2017 by Meghan Matt

I had the distinct pleasure of attending Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome’s inauguration and celebratory reception last night along with a huge crowd of excited and expectant citizens and elected officials, including Governor John Bel Edwards and his wife, Donna. The inauguration was filled with lovely moments, beginning with a stunning rendition of “Battle Hymn of the Republic” by the Inaugural Chorus who begun singing in the back of the theater and then proceeded up the aisles before finishing the powerful song onstage.

There was the Invocation, Presentation of the Colors by the Honor Guard, the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem before Master of Ceremonies, Sylvia Weatherspoon, announced that there would be a surprise video chronicling Mayor Broome’s decades of service leading up to this point. Because she had lost almost all of her precious photos and memories in the Great Flood, it had been difficult to locate pictures and clips to use in the video but they were able to create a beautiful montage that had us all in laughter as well as tears.

When it was time for her swearing in and then her address, we were all on the edge of our seats. After she took the oath the entire theater was filled with thunderous applause and cheering as Mayor-President Broome was warmly hugged by her husband and took the podium. Her words were rich and full of hope. She spoke of both equality for all citizens and unity. She explained that the strips of fabric that had been handed out at the door symbolized how we would all come together like a colorful, dynamic quilt as a community. She promised that her commitment to unity was not simply a campaign slogan, and that she would come against any attempt to divide our city along racial, socioeconomic or geographical lines.

At this point the crowd erupted in praise and cheering.

She spoke of giving everyone a fair shot and opportunities for success and she committed to working diligently with law enforcement to keep everyone safe, while maintaining the dignity and offering respect to every citizen. She also announced that her cabinet would be participating in the Dialogue on Race course to gain a better understanding of how to work together to best unite the city and understand the differences and dynamics we all bring to the table. Overall, her message was one of inclusion and hard work and I am certain that she will see her vision accomplished.

Following the inauguration was the Celebrate Baton Rouge reception at the Hilton. Live bands performed, we danced and ate and celebrated our great city and her new mayor together. I took my daughter out into a less crowded area to find a place to sit and we saw Mayor-President Broome begin to make her way in. She moved through the line of people shaking hands, smiling and making personal statements to everyone she came in contact with. When she got to us she stopped and bent over to talk to my little girl. She had thousands of people to meet but she made my baby feel like the most special person in the room.

Sharon has that way about her. She is accessible and reachable and so incredibly down to earth. She takes the idea of public service seriously and has repeatedly said that she believes in a servant leadership style. I wholeheartedly believe that she will serve our entire city and parish with diligence and grace, and she will not back down. Even in the midst of a divisive election full of mudslinging and personal attacks, she kept her head held high and never stooped low. She maintained an attitude of respect and love and I know she will continue that in years to come. As a woman of faith she stands firm in the promises of God and never holds back in her adoration for Him or for His people.

Best of luck to our new Mayor-President, Sharon Weston Broome. All of us at Baton Rouge Moms wish you the very best and look forward to the leadership and light you will bring to our city.

Thin RedLine Project – Baton Rouge Spotlight

December 6, 2016 by Meghan Matt

“This is what it feels like to heard… It feels like being trapped inside a dark room with no windows or lights. There is a singular door locked from the outside. You scream but the room is soundproof; no one hears you. One day someone opens the door and the light rushes in, blinding you. Someone takes you by the hand and leads you. You look around and there’s a room full of people who you never knew were there and you know that you are seen, that you are heard, that you are not invisible.”

It has been my goal over the last few years to give people a platform to tell their stories, to be heard. When I brought the Listen to Your Mother show to Baton Rouge in 2015 I realized the enormity of the impact felt by those who were able to share their experiences with others. I have a very even left brain/right brain split so sometimes my creative energies are battling with my detail-oriented perfectionistic historian, but I knew there was something else in my heart that needed to be breathed to life.

After the tragic Summer of ’16 I found myself deeply saddened-as we all were- not only by the horrific events that had transpired, but also by the response of people around me to the suffering and pain felt by so many in our community. As men and women took to the street to protest what they understood to be injustice, thousands of angry folks flooded the internet with their opinions of them, and having read many of the comments you would have thought we were flashing back to the 1950s. I saw so many assumptions made about my black brothers and sisters regarding them being lazy or ignorant or dangerous. I remembered how Martin Luther King, Jr. was treated during the first Civil Rights movement and the awful hate speech that was poured against him and those who fought beside him. I checked that place in my heart that wanted to help people tell their truths, and a vision began.

Thin RedLine Project

I shared my vision with a high school friend who is very involved in the community to be sure that the idea would be respectful and never feel exploitative. Walter “Geno” McLaughlin jumped on-board and added his creativity, background and expertise, and within a month the Thin RedLine Project was born. He has been the perfect partner for this project and has elevated it in fresh and powerful ways.

The name “Thin RedLine Project” comes from the act of redlining- the official practice of grouping black people into specific communities and then denying those same neighborhoods of resources, infrastructure, and investment. Though no longer officially sanctioned, the effects of decades of these practices and others like them are still felt strongly today. Many people feel that the realities of some African-Americans are solely a result of poor choices rather than a product of institutions and policies. But in fact, through systemic issues in our structures and laws we have created and maintained generations of inequality in a cycle that seems stuck on “repeat.

We all know that the mainstream media picks and chooses what stories to tell and sadly, they too often continue the false narrative that black people are inferior, less educated, criminal or come from broken families. We hope to shine a positive light on hard-working individuals, close-knit families, and creative souls- dispelling myths and crushing stereotypes. We also hope to help educate the public about the policies and practices like redlining and others that continue to hinder progress in certain communities.

We hope you will join us as we offer stories of hope to the world from across the Thin RedLine.

You can check out our website at thinredlineproject.com, follow us on Facebook or Instagram and nominate people or events to be featured by emailing meghanmatt@gmail.com.

You can read more about the Thin RedLine Project in this months 225 Magazine.

Black History Month in Baton Rouge

February 1, 2016 by Meghan Matt

Though February is already a busy holiday month with celebrations of both Valentine’s Day and Mardi Gras, it is also Black History Month and a time we can really use to educate our children about the great African-American leaders in our community and around the world. This year I want to encourage you to not only teach your kids about black history in America, but about everyone from ancient African rulers to modern day history makers in our own state. Obviously slavery and the Civil Rights Movement are both key pieces of the story, but there is much more richness and diversity to be told in the regards to black history.

Activitist Shaun King (who has a degree in African-American studies and whose wife is an award-winning educator) suggests two different approaches to teaching Black History Month. First, beginning with teaching about pre-historic South Africa or early African Kingdoms to show the true depth and beauty of blackness. Or by starting in present day and moving backwards in time, introducing children to healthy, relevant, modern examples of black leaders before moving through slavery and then back to Africa.

Clearly Louisiana has a deep background in regards to slavery and civil rights, and it’s extremely, extremely important that we educate our kids about these periods of our history. Our children need to learn from our past so we do not repeat the same mistakes, and they need to develop honor and respect for the many people who overcame seemingly insurmountable odds and helped make things better. For example, did you know that the first bus boycott was held right here in Baton Rouge by a group of black citizens fighting the segregated seating system? And what about Ruby Bridges, the first African-American student to attend an all-white public school in the American South, just a few miles below us in New Orleans?

But in addition to those lessons, let’s also include stories of local black artists, inventors and leaders who have contributed to the greatness of our community and our world. Let’s teach about ancient African rulers who managed thriving economies and cultures like Mana Masu of West Africa. Let’s look at civilizations like the Songhai Empire or Mali Empire. Let’s absolutely celebrate Harriet Tubman and Martin Luther King, Jr., and let’s also celebrate Booker T. Washington and Justice Thurgood Marshall. Let’s teach about local heroes like Gus Young and also Leonard Julien. Let’s explore lessons on people like Madame C.J. Walker– a daughter of former slaves who went on to become an entrepreneur, philanthropist and the first female self-made millionaire.

Let’s truly celebrate all that black history can teach us and our children, and let’s carry it on through every other month of the year. To help us, I’ve compiled a list of events and local resources that we can use to both celebrate and educate ourselves and our kids about the richness and diversity of African-American history. This list is not exhaustive, but we hope you find it helpful. If you know of any events or resources not listed below, feel free to please share them in the comments section!

Photo credit: Whitney Plantation

Community Resources: Black History Month in Baton Rouge

The River Road African-American Museum in Donaldsonville offers private, guided tours for individuals and groups. For twenty-two years this hidden gem has served as a resource for the people of our community containing items such as historical documents, books, rare photographs, newspaper ads for runaway slaves, sketches of inventors, and information on politicians, soldiers, artisans and entrepreneurs. Whether you are a home school mom, in a co-op, a teacher or church director, this museum is happy to help guide and educate you on local, rural black history of our area for only $5 per person. Appointments for these tours can be scheduled by contacting them at lathe@aamuseum.org or by calling 225.206.1225.

The Odell S. Williams Now and Then Museum of African-American History was founded in 2001 on South Blvd. as an out-growth of the congregation’s commitment to promote and educate people about the achievements of African- Americans. It features the following exhibits: art work of local black artists, a collection of rural Louisiana artifacts, a collection of inventions, a historic poster collection, and a walking trail that illustrates art and history. General public admission is $4/person (kids under 6 are free!) and hours are Wednesday- Saturday 10am-5pm and by appointment. Call 225.343.4431 or email OSWAfricanAmericanMuseum@gmail.com for more information.

The Whitney Plantation has gained media exposure for being the first and only museum on slavery. Originally known as Habitation Haydel, it is located on River Road in Wallace, Louisiana. Tours are available everyday (except Tuesday) from 10am-3pm and are on a first-come, first-served basis. Your guide will lead you through the historic Antioch Baptist Church built by former slaves, original outbuildings, slave quarters, and the circa 1790 Big House. You will walk through the oldest detached kitchen in Louisiana and learn about the Haydel family and their workforce of over 100 slaves. Tour guides emphasize the lives of enslaved laborers who toiled in Louisiana, and because of this it is recommended for kids in 5th grade and above (or up to the parent’s discretion). To purchase tickets in advance, please call the Visitor Center at 225.265.3300. In addition to the tour, their website also offers many articles can be used to educate your kids or students about the slave trade nationally and locally.

Other ideas include visiting Allendale Plantation Cabins, The Martin Luther King, Jr. monument and the Port Hudson Battlefield.

The East BRP Library system has a digital archive full of photographs (with descriptions) pertaining to Black History. Check it out here.

Local Events:
The 14th Annual Black History Parade will be held on Saturday, February 13 at 1:00pm. The parade route begins on William and Lee Park, traveling down Louisiana Avenue to Alexander Street, then California Street to 14th Street, and back to William and Lee Park.

On February 19th from 6:30-8:30pm, the Independence Park Theater will celebrate the contributions of African- Americans both locally and worldwide with featured performances from area schools and local choral groups. More info at their website or by calling 225.216.0660.

On February 27 Magnolia Mound Plantation will be holding their 11th annual Black History Month event which is free and open to the public! From 2-5pm The Manager’s House and the Slave Cabin will be on display, there will be presentations from noted speakers, horse-drawn wagon rides, a food tent and cooking demonstration in the reproduction kitchen on the site. More information here.

West Baton Rouge Museum will host several other Black History events including a film series and lunchtime lectures. More information at their website.

The EBRP Library system will be offering several events appropriate for children in celebration of Black History Month. Here’s a few:

The Carver branch will be celebrating African-American children’s authors and illustrators with these two activities:
Celebrating Donald Crews, Thursday Feb. 22 at 4pm (ages 6-8, limited to 8 participants, call to register)
Celebrating Jerry Pinkney, Monday, February 29 at 4pm (ages 4-7, limited to 10, call to register)

Additionally, the Carver branch will be hosting a reading of Martin Luther King, Jr’s “I Have a Dream” Speech on Thursday, February 18 at 4pm, and a Kwanza in February children’s program on Thursday, February 25 at 4:30pm.

At the River Center branch children’s room there will be an African American read-in from 10am-4pm (also on February 18). Children can learn about modern day African American inventor Kenneth J. Dunkley, hear a short biography and make a pair of 3-d glasses. (ages 7-11, call to register)

Thursday, February 18 at 3pm at Eden Park Branch they will be creating mini-marching signs to go along with A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr. (ages 7-11)

And also on February 18, there will be an African American History Trivia for Teens game at the Delmont Gardens Branch at 4pm.

Suggested Reading Lists: