State of the People POWER Tour coming to New Orleans in May
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) – A two-day event to encourage unity in the Black community is making its way to New Orleans this week.
The nationwide tour is a movement uniting organizers, educators, artists, and everyday people to co-create and strengthen long-term power in Black communities. Some of the programming initiatives will include community forums, policy discussions, and cultural events leading up to a national Black Agenda and a Juneteenth General Assembly.
'It is a love letter to Black America in some ways. It is our intent to go around the country and love on our communities in very authentic ways. To convene about the urgency of now and the things that are taking place around the country and in Louisiana,' said activist Gary Chambers Jr.
Journalist Joy Reid said to bridge the gap between the Black community and media, it's time to listen to the needs and wants.
'One of the things we don't do enough in media is ask Black folks what they need and talk to Black people. I think what you do is talk to Black people a lot, but we don't have a lot of conversations,' said Reid.
Chambers says the State of the People POWER Tour will be giving away $10K in utility relief. They're paying Entergy bills for families with a disconnect notice up to $250, while funds last. The only requirement is that you attend one of the tour dates in New Orleans.
The tour visits 12 cities across 10 states. To learn more about the tour happening on May 8-9 in New Orleans, visit the State of the People website to RSVP.
Attendees can expect workshops, town hall meetings, and hear from other Louisiana leaders, activists, and journalists. Those include:
Angela Rye, President and CEO of IMPACT Strategies
Joy Reid, Journalist
Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of NAACP
LaTosha Brown, Co-Founder of Black Voters Matter
Pastor Mike McBride, Executive Director of Live Free USA
Gary Chambers, Jr., Activist/Strategist
Latest News
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
This Week in Louisiana Poltics: Approaching the end of the legislative session
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — We're approaching the end of the regular legislative session this week. We've seen many bills debated in the legislature. So far, Governor Jeff Landry has signed into law six bills from his tort and insurance reform effort, which he says will lower insurance rates. We've seen election security bills make it out of committee—they are headed to the House for final passage. And then there's the state's budget, which is House Bill 1 by Representative Jack McFarland. That bill easily passed out of the Committee on Appropriations and then sailed through the full House with bipartisan support. Louisiana House committee rejects bill on homeless camps It's awaiting final passage in the Senate, then will head back to the House, where it'll likely reflect priorities from both the legislature and the governor, including education, fully funding services, and teacher pay raises. This and more on Your Local Election Headquarters. Several injured after Tennessee plane crash Southern University Law Center offering help to clear criminal records with event in Gonzales The best midsize SUVs for 2025 Invasive tick that can be deadly for cattle causing concerns among researchers Tropical Storm Barbara strengthens off Mexico, expected to become hurricane Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
LA unrest marks latest clash of US presidents, states over National Guard
Donald Trump's deployment of California's National Guard marks the first time in decades that a US president openly defied a state governor and sent troops to an emergency zone. By ordering 2,000 guardsmen to Los Angeles to help quell protests against raids by US immigration agents, Trump essentially mounted a takeover of the state's military regiments to address "lawlessness" on the city's streets. The National Guard is a reserve military rooted in the 17th century local militias created in the American colonies before the country's founding. Since then the guard has had multiple responsibilities: domestic disaster relief and security, homeland defense and prevention of civil unrest; and acting as reserve forces for US military deployments overseas. Presidential orders to deploy guardsmen domestically are not uncommon. But clashes between a president and governor over deployments -- or the lack thereof, such as during the US Capitol riot by Trump supporters on January 6, 2021 while he was still in office -- have been rare. - Los Angeles, 2025 - The White House said Trump relied on a seldom used law, known as Title 10, that permits National Guard federalization in times of "a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States." California Governor Gavin Newsom called the decision "purposefully inflammatory." But Trump's order proceeded, and the guard troops were on LA streets Sunday. "This is the first time since 1965 that a president has deployed the National Guard without a request by a state governor," Kenneth Roth, a longtime former Human Rights Watch executive director, posted on X. "Then it was (president Lyndon) Johnson protecting civil rights protesters. Now it's Trump creating a spectacle so he can continue his immigration raids." Elizabeth Goitein of the Brennan Center for Justice warned of a "shocking abuse of power" by Trump, whose memorandum authorizes federalization of National Guard troops "at locations where protests against (federal immigration) functions are occurring or are likely to occur." "Trump has authorized the deployment of troops anywhere in the country where protests against ICE activity might occur," Goitein posted on X. "That is a huge red flag." - Alabama, 1965 - A landmark civil rights moment led to a National Guard clash between a president and a segregationist governor. With demonstrators led by Martin Luther King Jr on a five-day march from Selma to Alabama's capital Montgomery, governor George Wallace pledged National Guard security -- but then reneged. The U-turn incensed Johnson who, in defiance of Wallace, called up the guard. The march was protected by thousands of Army soldiers and federalized guard members. - Arkansas, 1957 - When the Little Rock school system was ordered desegregated, Arkansas' pro-segregationist governor Orval Faubus deployed the National Guard to surround a high school and prevent nine Black students from entering. President Dwight Eisenhower bristled at the standoff and told Faubus the guard must maintain order so the Black students could attend. Instead, Faubus pulled the guardsmen, leaving security to local forces. Eisenhower issued an executive order federalizing the Arkansas National Guard, and ordered 1,000 US Army troops to join them. - Kent State, 1970 - Perhaps no anti-Vietnam war protest was more pivotal than at Ohio's Kent State University, where students slammed Richard Nixon's war expansion. As unrest swelled, the National Guard opened fire, killing four students and wounding nine others. The shootings sparked outrage, but also led to reforms regarding how the guard handles civil unrest and use of force. - Hurricane Katrina, 2005 - The massive hurricane left much of New Orleans underwater, leading to the largest-ever peacetime deployment of the National Guard. But critics accused then-president George W Bush of favoring a militaristic response over humanitarian relief. Louisiana's governor, Kathleen Blanco, warned that many among the thousands of National Guard and federal troops were battle-tested Iraq war veterans. "These troops know how to shoot and kill and I expect they will," she reportedly said. - Outside White House, 2020 - June 1, 2020 saw a brutal crackdown on demonstrators following the police murder of African-American George Floyd. With people aggressively protesting near the White House, the National Guard joined police to maintain order. Flash grenades and tear gas were deployed. Unlike in the nation's 50 states, the DC National Guard is under direct command of the US president, who at the time was Trump. mlm/st
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Lexington councilwoman announces reelection decision: ‘Did not come easily'
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Lexington Councilmember Denise Gray has announced she will not run for reelection to represent the sixth district. Councilwoman Gray said in a news release on Sunday, June 8, that she wanted to share the news early with her constituents because she believes the community deserves transparency. Lexington councilmember files restraining order on another councilmember Lexington councilwoman speaks out after protective order bars her from workplace Lexington councilwoman barred from meetings appeals order, requests new judge Gray, who has served the sixth district since November 2022, said a factor that weighed heavily on her was her treatment by the media in the coverage of her experience with sexual assault. On Aug. 8, 2024, Councilwoman Gray filed a protective order against fellow councilmember Branda Monarrez stemming from alleged unwanted sexual contact on two occasions, dating back to October 2021. 'The lack of empathy and disregard for my humanity during that time was not only hurtful, but it was also a painful reminder of the barriers Black women too often face when we speak truth and stand in our power,' Gray wrote. 'Despite that treatment, I continued to show up and serve with courage, compassion, and commitment. But I will not pretend it did not affect me, it did.' In August 2024, Monarrez was reportedly barred by a court order from attending city council meetings in person. In November, Emma Curtis was elected to serve Lexington's 4th District, defeating Monarrez with 51% of the vote. Perry County mourns passing of elementary school student: 'Zane deserved more time' Lexington councilwoman announces reelection decision: 'Did not come easily' 1 arrested after Georgetown shooting near Walmart Councilwoman Gray said she hopes qualified, passionate leaders who care deeply about the district she represents will step forward to run with the heart and conviction that the role demands. 'Serving you, my neighbors, my hometown community, and the district where I was raised has been an honor that words can hardly capture,' Gray said. 'Together we've asked hard questions, challenged the status quo, and worked toward a more just and equitable Lexington. I am proud of what we've built.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
