Latest news with #SouthernUniversityatNewOrleans
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bandleader, educator, musician Paul Batiste dies at 74
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The City Of New Orleans has suffered a loss in the music world. Guitarist, educator and leader of the legendary Batiste musical family, Paul Batiste, died on April 25 at the age of 74. Batiste played a key role in shaping the city's sound. He founded the Batiste Brothers Band and spent decades teaching music in local schools. Funeral of Pope Francis drew thousands to say farewell Born and raised in New Orleans, Batiste embodied the spirit of resilience, strength and compassion that defines his home town. In a letter from his family, his life was marked by service, first as a veteran in the United State Army and as a life long educator and band leader in the community. 'Fierce in his convictions yet endlessly kind in his actions, Paul A. Batiste led with heart, discipline, and an unwavering belief in the potential of every person he encountered,' said family. Following his graduation from Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) in 1978, he began teaching at McDonogh 35 and later at John McDonogh High School. During his 30 years in education, he's held leadership roles as Band Director at Hines Elementary, McDonogh 15, Lafayette Elementary and Sophie B. Wright. Throughout the years his influence reached other NOLA music legends such as Danny Barker, Henry Butler, James Black and James Booker. Warm and sunny start to the week 'Through decades of dedication to music education, he shaped the futures of countless students, inspiring them to strive for greatness both on and off the stage. His influence runs deep through the veins of New Orleans' rich musical legacy — a legacy he fought to preserve, expand, and pass on to new generations,' family said. Paul also led his family to stardom serving as principal songwriter of the Batiste Brothers Band, composing nearly the entire catalog as well as co-writing and producing their short film, 'A Stranger's Story.' The family says they are planning a public celebration of life for Batiste in the city he loved so unveil proposal for $150B in new Pentagon spending New pro curling league set to start in 2026 with hopes of prolonging the Olympic spotlight Connolly to step out of top Democratic spot on Oversight panel, citing health Bandleader, educator, musician Paul Batiste dies at 74 White House displays signs highlighting crime by illegal immigrants Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The life and legacy of Oretha Castle Haley
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — No one played a larger role in the New Orleans civil rights story than that of Oretha Castle Haley. Starting as a teenager, her leadership led us through the pivotal years of the movement. WGNO spoke with her grandson Blair Dottin-Haley about her work and her legacy. New Orleans fine art gallery designed for Black people to 'see themselves' According to Dottin-Haley, 'Oretha Castle Haley was a freedom fighter, organizer, a civil rights leader. Those who followed her called her the general in the civil rights movement. She joined the Dryades Street boycotts at a very young age while she was a student at Southern University at New Orleans and very soon, I think she realized but more importantly those around her realized that they needed to follow her lead.' Our conversation took place at the Ashe Cultural Arts Center on the same Dryades St., now named in her honor. Fellow Civil Rights legend Jerome Smith spoke to Haley's leadership as well. 'Oretha and I were classmates at Clark School. We all come from Clark. You have to deal with that in terms of the spiritual essence of a person. And being female, she could confront a situation with a determination and a sophistication that has yet to have been duplicated.' Haley's involvement in the local chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality or C.O.R.E. led to direct street-level activism, playing a major role in the movement in our city. Dottin Haley says this work continued later in her life. 'In the post civil rights era when I got to spend some time with her, she was running the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, she was minority recruiter for LSU, and she was running the campaigns of the first Black woman to be elected at large on the city council Dorothy Mae Taylor and the first Black woman on the school board, Gail Glapion.' Lost recording of MLK speech resurfaces decades later Dottin Haley was only nine when his grandmother died of cancer at only 48 years of age. She lived a full life of achievement, but also full of moving New Orleans forward. According to Smith, the disease deprived her of a promising future and our city of a true leader. 'I don't like to discuss it because I don't know how to express the loss. Because her definition of school was about liberation and betterment of person, and non-surrender,' said defends Musk's 'genius' email to federal workers 'A Freedom Fighter' | The life and legacy of Oretha Castle Haley Judge blocks immigration raids at religious groups suing Trump administration 'Not on my watch': Pro athletes toss support behind Hooters amid bankruptcy speculation New parade forecasts after weather delays Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
