OneRouge Community Check-In: Week 252

May 2 OneRouge Call Recap: Uplifting Community Voices & Strengthening Connections

 This week’s OneRouge call kicked off May with a refreshed format focused on deeper engagement, new voices, and collaborative momentum. Participants from across the region shared updates on upcoming events, legislative concerns, and creative community initiatives—from zero-waste public art to Earth Day celebrations, new park murals, and refugee and immigrant resource fairs. Advocacy took center stage with a strong push to oppose harmful legislation and uplift underrepresented narratives through radio, visual storytelling, and collective action.

To foster more meaningful dialogue, attendees broke into small groups to reflect on the challenges weighing on their communities and explore shared values across sectors. The result was a deeper sense of connection, clarity, and motivation to build together. As one participant put it, "The good news is—we have us." With May’s focus on community building and behavioral health awareness, the call closed with a collective charge to continue showing up, speaking out, and moving as one.

Notes

OneRouge Weekly Community Call Notes

Date: May 2, 2025 Facilitator: Jordan Howard

Welcome & Introductions

• Jordan welcomed attendees to May’s first OneRouge call and announced a shift in format to allow for more community engagement and networking.

• Attendees shared weekend plans, including JazzFest and crawfish boils.

• Jordan encouraged participants to invite others who may be “missing from the table,” including students, educators, and new voices.

Participant Check-In Prompt

• New and returning attendees introduced themselves and described their week in one word.

• First-time participants included:

  • Dr. Emily Tilley (O'Brien House): “Circus”

  • Kette Sanders (Baton Roots): “Productive”

  • Dave (community member): “Chaos”

  • Nina (LSU Ag Center): “Chaotic”

  • Jack (Baton Roots farm hand): Listening in during commute

Call Overview & Format Change

• Jordan explained that traditional calls focus on the nine drivers of poverty and feature guest speakers for collective problem-solving.

• For May, the focus will be on building deeper connections and highlighting participant work and needs.

Community Shares & Announcements

• Manny Patole shared success on the upcoming dedication of Erie Street EcoPark at Plank & Erie during Juneteenth week. He is seeking community support and potential mural collaboration with Walls Project.

• Kette Sanders invited attendees to the May 10th “Black Fe Mayday” event, focused on creative freedom and community healing. She welcomed tabling and outreach support.

• Morgan Udoh highlighted four historical public art projects in Breck parks and invited the public to a May 6 feedback session for a Civil Rights Trail utility box mural project. She also detailed the zero-waste art practices in recent projects.

• Samantha Morgan praised Earth Day programming, celebrated Walls’ zero-waste public art efforts, and encouraged submissions for radio PSAs through community radio station WHYR.

• Willamina (LORI) promoted World Refugee & Immigrant Day on June 21. She is seeking performers, resources, and tabling partners.

• Marcella Hernandez (Familias Unidas en Acción) shared details of a May 3–4 Community Defense Training in New Orleans, with bilingual education on immigrant rights and safety. She emphasized the importance of recognizing and protecting immigrant laborers, especially during legislative threats.

• Dietz (Louisiana Coalition on Criminalization & Health) warned of HB76, a bill that would criminalize STI exposure. She urged participation in the May 8 lobby day opposing the bill and encouraged continued support of public health education.

Breakout Rooms: Small Group Discussions

Participants were split into breakout rooms for deeper conversation. Prompt:

• Share your name and organization.

• Discuss a challenge in your community that weighs on you and why it matters.

Highlighted participant reflections included:

• Whitney Hall (Baton Roots): Community healing and meeting people where they are.

• Jesse Watson (Discovery Schools): Commitment to family-centered education as the school expands in Baton Rouge.

• Dr. Sherreta Harrison: Reflected on systemic barriers that keep Baton Rouge from progressing despite community momentum.

• Dr. Don Andrews (Southern University): Emphasized small business development and societal impact through business education.

• Marcela Hernandez: Shared the broad and intersectional scope of her organization’s work, from food access to legislative advocacy.

Closing Reflections

• Participants praised the breakout rooms for fostering more meaningful connection and conversation.

• Samantha and Dr. Harrison emphasized the power of unstructured discussions for real insight and unity.

• Dauda highlighted the need to transform fear into proactive collective action in response to legislative threats.

• Jordan Howard closed with a quote by Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Reminders & Final Notes

• Vote on Saturday, May 3 in the special election for state representative (East Baton Rouge Parish).

May is Behavioral Health Month – Dr. Tilley encouraged everyone to prioritize mental health and support others.

Links

Community Announcements