Missing in Louisiana. The Drum January 2022

JACKSON

AGBOR

CUMMINGS DAVIS CHAMBERS HOOKFIN GRAYER

The Drum

STATEFEMA has extended the period for applicants to request Public Assistance grants for Hurricane Ida. The new deadline is Feb. 11, 2022. The Public Assistance (PA) Program delivers FEMA grant assistance to local and state governments and their agencies, houses of worship and certain private nonprofit applicants following a disaster declaration. Communities, nonprofits and houses of worship interested in applying for a PA grant should contact their local or state emergency manager to begin the process and submit a Request for Public Assistance form. Applicants are highly encouraged to submit their forms through the online FEMA Grants Portal for faster processing. For the latest information visit fema.gov/disaster/4611. Follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/ FEMARegion6 or on Facebook at facebook. com/FEMARegion6/.

AMITE

In celebration of Black History Month, the Tangipahoa Parish Library will once again

List workshops, seminars, activities, and other community events on this page one month in advance. 40 words. Free. Visit the submit news page at www.thedrumnewspaper.info

ACROSS LOUISIANA

honor an African American middle or high school student who has made a positive impact in Tangipahoa Parish. Last year’s recipient was Brooke Weathersby from Hammond High Magnet School. Recommendations for this 2022 Tangipahoa African American Honorary Service Award are now being accepted through the library’s website, www.tangilibrary.com The winner will be selected by a committee and there will be an awards ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 10 am at the Amite Branch. The library will accept nominations from teachers and community leaders until Friday, January 28, 2022 at 6pm. Nominations must be submitted electronically and the forms can be found at www.tangilibrary.com

BATON ROUGE

On Monday, December 6, 2021, Metropoli tan Council Member Erika L. Green officially submitted a letter of resignation effective Jan. 1, 2022, for her District 5 seat on the Metro politan Council. Erika L. Green was elected as judge to the East Baton Rouge Parish Family Court on Saturday, Nov. 13. As a result, the Metro Council Administrator is accepting ap

plications for the council member for District 5. Ap plicants must be a registered voter residing in District 5 and can submit their application online at www. brla.gov/ /2685/ District-5-Coun cil-member-application or contact the Coun cil Administrator’s Office at 389-3123.

LAFAYETTE

The Louisiana Supreme Court has ap pointed retired judge Vanessa Harris as judge pro tempore of Lafayette City Court to replace suspended Lafayette City Court Judge Michelle Odinet. The Louisiana Supreme Court temporarily suspended Michelle Odinet, without pay, after a video surfaced of Odinet using a racial slur. Odinet’s son who is also believed to be in the video was removed from the LSU Track & Field Team. As alumna of Southern Univer sity and the Southern University Law Center, Harris has become the first Black judge appointed to Lafayette City Court. She will serve as judge pro tempore from Dec. 17 through Feb. 28, 2022.

NEW ORLEANS

Black CannaBusiness Magazine said will be re turning to New Orleans in 2022 for the Black CannaConference & Expo—the only business to business conference for Black professionals in cannabis. At gthis month’s event, the Black CannaBizCon received a proclamation from the City of New Orleans and local leaders in support of their work and significance to the business community. Black CannaBizCon partnered with Minorities For Medical Mari juana, Illinois Equity Staffing, the Association for Cannabis Health Equity and Medicine, the Minority Cannabis Business Association, and other organizations who have committed to equity in the cannabis business space. Tr three day conference included programming and workshop sessions focused on health, social equity and ownership, business development and community advocacy.

Carrie

EddiE Ponds

grEEn

INTERNATIONAL

From Denmark to Louisiana: pop star’s search for veteran dad ends in Baker

X by FrancEs y. sPEncEr ThE drum Contributing Writer

ZINDY LAURSEN

GLORIA AND BILL JOHNSON

To be included in the Drumroll section, submit your accomplishment and photo to news@thedrumnewspaper.info. Make sure your full name and details of your accomplishment are provided along with a contact phone number. Photos should be sent as .jpeg or .tiff 300dpi files. 

Glen Oaks High School head basketball coach Harvey Adger earned his 900th victory on Dec 1 after the Panthers beat the Northeast Vikings during the first home game. The fact that Adger has done all this at one school is remarkable. The 900 total win ranks Adger among the state’s elite. Former Southern Lab coach Joel Hawkins is the leader with 1,081 victories. Adger, who has coached at Glen Oaks for 40 years, is known for molding his players beyond basketball which is one of the reasons school officials named Glen Oaks’ new gym in his honor.

The Nature Conservatory chose Taylor Barnett, a first-year LSU graduate student in strategic communications as their inaugural communications fellow. They’d had science fellows before, including from LSU, but realized they were missing something. As legislation on dedicated conservation funding come before the Louisiana House and Senate this year, TNC wanted to make sure their vocal support could be heard not just by their users and peers, but everyone. They selected Barnett to create diverse messaging to build broader consensus and support around Louisiana’s environmental challenges. “The environmental movement has been—still is—very white,” Barnett said, but, most people can appreciate clean air and water, ability to fish and hunt, job creation, saving and making money, and having their house not flood all

the time. As a fellow, she researches the economic impact of conservation projects and aids in writing TNC communications for diverse groups.

New Orleans trumpeter Terence Blanchard became the first Black composer to have an opera presented at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City on September 27. ‘Fire Shut Up in My Bones’ played to soldout houses and due to its success, the Met recently announced that it will present Blanchard’s first opera, ‘Champion’ in April 2023. Based on the life of African American boxer Emile Griffith, it will be directed by James Robinson and conducted by Met Music Director Yannick Nezet-Seguin. A six-time Grammy award winner, Blanchard does extensive work for film and TV and is a frequent collaborator with Spike Lee on his movies, including BlacKKKLansman and Da 5 Bloods, which were nominated for the Academy Awards’ Best Original Score. St. Charles Avenue Magazine recently named Blanchard and his wife Robin Burgess Activists of the Year, along with Drs. Joy and Howard Osofsky and Angel and Taylor Beery.

Tyricia Clark, a Baton Rouge native and graduate of the Louisiana Culinary Institute, recently competed in Netflix’s “School of Chocolate”. She began making desserts in high school and had since sold her T’Cakes —cakes, pies, cheesecakes, and old-fashioned teacakes— at

area pop-ups. On Netflix, she and six contestants studied the art of chocolate under the supervision of famed chocolatier Amaury Guichon. Through eight episodes, they learn skills to elevate their pastry knowledge by completing challenges meant to stretch their imaginations. In the end, Guichon names one of the contestants “Best in Class,” awarding the winner $50,000 to start a small business. “School of Chocolate” is streaming on Netflix. Clark’s T Cakes are available at tcakescatering.com

Attorney Monica D. Doss has been appointed First Assistant District Attorney for Rapides Parish. She has served as the Chief Felony Assistant District Attorney since July 2016. She also served as a staff attorney, attorney supervisor, deputy general counsel of the legal division, and director of the audit protest bureau of the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Before that, the Tallulah native was employed as the clerk of court and judicial administrator of the Orleans Parish Juvenile Court. She is a graduate of Grambling State University and the Southern University Law Center.

Former LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey became the 10th former Tiger to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame on Dec. 7. Dorsey--the most decorated defensive player in the school’s history – was officially enshrined during the 63rd annual National

Football Foundation Awards Dinner in Las Vegas. A native of Gonzales and two-time First Team AllAmerican, Dorsey earned unanimous honors in 2007 after leading LSU to a win over Ohio State in the BCS National Championship Game. During his senior campaign, he won the Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, and Lott IMPACT trophies, becoming the first player in Tigers history to receive any of those awards. He accumulated 179 total tackles, including 27 for loss and 13 sacks, while playing in 52 games for LSU. He played five seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs (2008-12) and four with the San Francisco 49ers (2013-16). Off the field, he established the Glenn Dorsey Foundation, which focuses on teaching youth the importance of education.

Former Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator and assistant coach Hue Jackson is Grambling State Tigers’ new head coach. Jackson recently completed his first season as Tennessee State’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He was a Bengals assistant and offensive coordinator before the Cleveland Browns hired him as their head coach in 2016.

After five years at LSU, wide receivers coach and assistant head coach Mickey Joseph returns to Nebraska University as the Huskies’s wide receivers coach, passing game coordinator, and

associate head coach.The 53-yearold coaching veteran is a New Orleans native who played Nebraska alumn. He was at LSU since 2017 and is known as one of the best recruiters in the country. He was responsible for developing some of the nation’s top receivers including Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson and Terrace Marshall.

Former Neville football player stars as a coach in the new movie “National Champions” Monroe native Reginald Robinson hit the big screens Dec. 9 in the Thunder Roads Films’ release of “National Champions”. Directed by Ric Roman Waugh, the movie stars heavyweights such as J.K. Simmons, King Bach, Lil Rel Howery, and Russell Wilson The film depicts a college football team left with a decision whether to play a championship game or strike and demand to be compensated. In the film, Robinson stars as an assistant coach.Robinson’s rise to movie fame began on the Bill Ruple Stadium as a 3-year letterman at Neville High School.

Amite public defender Erica D Williams has announced her candidacy for Hammond City Court Judge. For 12 years, she’s served as a public defender in criminal misdemeanor court in Hammond and the 21st Judicial Court, and also in felony court in Amite. The seat became vacant after the death of Judge Grace Gassaway in June.

WILLIAMS

ADGER

BLANCHARD

BARNETT

CLARK

ROBINSON DOSS

A candid show where conversations end with something strong to sip on

X by candacE J. sEmiEn JozEF syndicaTE Reporter

Teresa Cooper and Katherine Young wanted to create a space where women--sisters and friends--would gain strength and transform relationships by sharing their surface and deep pains.

“You can be sisters by association or birth and still not be friends. And you can have friends who become sisters... We wanted to create a space where women can be SisterFriends for real,” Cooper said.

To create that space, the Christian leaders went into the studio and on to Facebook and YouTube with the intention to have candid conversations centered around faith that would build up any viewer—especially women. In 2019, they created SisterFriends Cups and Conversations, a weekly talk show featuring four hosts seated around a wooden dining table. Two seats are reserved for them as hosts and two for guests. They sit in front of a white bookshelf accented with colorful decor and flowers. The brightness of the room matches the women’s laughter and chatter, even when the topics are heavy and dark. And, they discuss any and every aspect of life.

“The show is centered around conversations with sister-friends of different ages, races, and statuses who discuss various topics from a faith-based perspective. The cup is the extra flavor and personal connection within the conversations on this web-based show,” said Cooper.

The 30- to 40-minute show, which has had 65 episodes, is designed to show viewers that they are not alone, Young said. Within months of starting the show, Cooper and Young began shifting for a broader audience because of the coronavirus pandemic and the growing number of people going to social media to find “good shows.”

And, Cooper said, SisterFriends makes it

easy to have to dig so hard for the good stuff Cooper said. They said they are showing viewers how God is not only concerned about their lives, but he is involved in all details. They said the show does this by having candid discussions on difficult topics like suicide, ghosting friends, plastic surgery, loss of a child, friendship betrayal, post-traumatic stress disorder, raising gifted children, incarceration, and other “in the closet” conversations with invited guests.

They also take these discussions up on the show’s monthly blog.

“We didn’t want the show to be salacious or full of drama. We wanted people to feel empowered that God cares about what we care about,” said Cooper. Together, the hosts—who have been friends for 20 years—prayed and consecrated to design a space to listen to what women are concerned about and the right timing to discuss those topics.

“SisterFriends is for them to know that God sees them and we are here.. We don’t have to hide. We can have candid conversations and in the end, we all have something strong to sip on,” Young said. “It’s no judgment.”

Cooper and Young

ministries

are Christian authors in Shreveport, Louisiana. They said they love cups and conversations with friends, so is the show an off-shoot of their Christian ministry? Yes and no. With the show being produced in the studio at New Creations Family Church on 8410 Kingston Road, it is easy to directly connect it to church ministry, but the women said the intention of the show does not center around building the church’s membership.

“People need inspiration and a media culture that leaves information, clarity, and realness in the atmosphere. As a Christian, I feel a call to provide hope, care, and love presented in a platform that leaves you hopeful at the end,” said Cooper.

“It is a positive reinforcement for the vision in the guests’ and viewers’ lives,” said Cooper. Through monthly blog posts, they are able to expand especially during the stressful time of the now, two-year coronavirus pandemic. “We are always lifting and adding female voices to the conversation especially those who haven’t been discovered yet or haven’t discovered their potential.”

The women said they are qualified —if you will— to discuss these topics because they “are all these women” said Young. “Rejection, grief, teen pregnancy. We have lived through them. We are relatable in all these areas. We have

kindred spirit and compassion.”

Cooper agreed. “It’s led us to where we are now. This (show) is another extension that speaks to how God will take the pains of our lives and allow them to be the mission of our lives.”

We are intentional, they said. With each episode, the cup matches the topic, guests, or enthusiasm. Then, the conversations begin. Although the women have no formal training in broadcast journalism or production, SisterFriends runs smoothly between hosts and guests akin to shows like The View and Red Table Talk.

Women between the ages of 30 and 55 are the core demographics who watch the show, but Cooper said the 40-year-old women are finding the show most relatable. “They are holding us down,” she said.

One goal of the show is for viewers to broaden conversations and make them not have “to dig so hard for the good stuff,” Cooper said. By “good stuff, they mean good conversations, healthy friendships, and life solutions. The hosts have been married for more than two decades and said they often have to seek God’s love and presence beyond the church walls. SisterFriends Cups and Conversations is the result of their seeking and growing relationships with other women in their life’s pursuit.

The show begins with a cheerful theme song developed by Cooper and Dwayne Taylor and sung by Phonecia Richards. The women introduce themselves and share the cup—

Both

lead women’s

and

Teresa Cooper and Katherine Young host Sister Friends Cups and Conversations in Shreveport, La.

Looks delicious. Smells divine. But Don’t eat these candles?

Matador Cranberry Spritz

X by zEnobia rEEd ThE drum Reporter

If you’ve ever smelled a homemade pie and thought, “I can smell that all day,” then you would love the candle collection created by The Alchemist Kitchen in Baton Rouge. These candles are warm, creative, and fla vorful accents in any atmosphere. After a re quest on social media, The Drum caught up with candlemakers and scent creators from The Alchemist Kitchen to learn more. Who are The Alchemist Table owners and candlemakers? The Alchemist Table is headed by Kenyata Fountain with partners Kesley Ebbs and Karey Ebbs. Fountain is the company’s candlemaker. She also started the Black Market Pop-up Shop in Baton Rouge. A computer scientist by trade, Fountain is the information technology manager at The Baton Rouge Metro Airport with 10 years of experience. She has a bachelor of sci ence degree in computer science from Southern Univer

sity and a masters degree in information security and assurance from Capella University. She is also a cer tified mediation teacher, Yoni Steam tech, chakra healer, and herbalist. Kesley Ebbs is the herbalist and owner of Growing Futures LLC in Minnesota.Karey Ebbs handles dis tribution and Cara Ebbs manages corporate finances.

What are your signature scents? Created by Kenyata Fountain, all candles uniquely smell and look like a drink or dessert. The Unwine Collection is a collection of candles that look like alcoholic beverages; the Old Fashion candle is scented with bourbon and vanilla; cof fee candles are light and dark roast and even affogato candle with Amaretto, vanilla, espresso, autumn spices. Dessert candles include fruit pies, frappuccino crumble cake, and Nana’s Pecan Pie.

This led her to making products for herself. “Ironically

Matador Vodka, Louisiana’s first Black-owned sugar cane vodka company, brings a “unique, clear, crisp, and elegant” drink to customers. Try this sweet and tangy cocktail as you celebrate the new year.

Matador Cranberry Spritz

Muddle 1½ cups fresh cranberries with 2 tbsp honey in shaker add ¼ cup sparkling water and 1½ oz Matador Vodka shake pour over ice garnish with fresh lime or mint

Baton Rouge native creates culture-focused gifts for year round giving

There’s something about a pandemic and mandatory quaran tines that makes creative people more creative! That’s the story of Baton Rouge native Traneisha Jones, creative envisioner for House of Favor and owner of T. Jones Media.

Passionate about her work, Jones has helped new authors publish books, and new and established brands develop their marketing strategies for more than ten years through her Indiana-based boutique media and communications company. Using multiple talents, Jones finds success in an industry that demands and rewards creativity, but the height of COVID-19 restrictions, quarantines, and deaths pushed her to explore her creative abilities more.

“I’m an extremely creative person. I always have ideas and visions for stuff, but when the pandemic hit, we were all forced to work indoors and I needed an outlet, something that would allow me to push the boundaries of creativity,” she said. As a result, this pandemic’s push has birthed House of Favor-

–a brand that fuses faith and culture with gift-giving.

“I wanted to make gift-giving sexy and chic, and fun, and reflective of our faith and culture,” Jones said. “House of Favor is really about celebrating what makes us, us.”

The year-old brand magnifies the beauty and sophistication of Black women while celebrating Black love and life experiences in bundles of gift wrap, greeting cards, socks, and mugs. “House of Favor is very unique and representative of our culture. You’re never going to find gift wrap like this anywhere else,” a customer wrote in review.

While their hallmark is Christmas gift wrap and greeting cards, House of Favor has launched new products this holiday season that celebrate more milestones–including just-because gifts and 2022 planners. All gifts are available for shipping across the world.

TRANEISHA JONES

FOUNTAIN

BUSINESS

BR native Oonarissa Bernard set to make history in Men’s Fashion

NEW YORK—For the third year, Oonarissa Bernard has been selected by the Fashion Gallery of New York to showcase new fashion designs during New York Fashion Week.

In February 2019, she debut her womenswear line as an Emerging Designer, April 2019 as a Collective Designer at New York Bridal Fashion Week, and recently in September 2021 as a Pret-a-Porter Designer.

Next February, the Baton Rouge native will return to New York as Pret-a-Porter Menswear Designer to produce high-end fashion garments for men. She will debut the DoubleOSeven by OonaNicole menswear line with high-profile models.

Historically menswear has been presented by male designers from London and Russia. Bernard said she will make history at the 2022 Fashion Week as the only Black female designer creating and showcasing menswear.

“There are no African-American female menswear designers in the USA. I’ve done the research for years,” she said. “I’m literally going to be making history.”

In the fashion industry, designers are responsible for their production

CAUGHT YOU

When 8-year-old Makenzie Bradford decided she wanted to do something special for others, she didn’t know how much she could truly do. So, she wrote a script and recorded a short video for her family. “Help me help others for those in need at the women’s shelter,” she said.

“I am proud of her intentional and thoughtful efforts to help others,” said her mother, Charlaya. “Mak was resolved to MAKe It Happen.” The third-grader’s goal was to provide toiletries for women and children in a Baton Rouge center before the holidays. For two weeks, Bradford collected enough funds to purchase three boxes packed with hundreds of toiletries and special hygiene items for the center.

After making her special delivery earlier this month, Bradford videoed her thanks to everyone for helping to “make the world a better place.” “We are thankful to our family and friends for supporting her goal,” said Bradford’s mother. “I’m sure she’ll have more brilliant ideas, like this one, in the near future.”

costs for their brand. So, OonaNicole supporters who want to be a part of this historical occasion are contributing at http://www.oona-nicole. com/.

Small businesses in fashion, beauty, jewelry invited to N.O. Jazz & Heritage Foundation program

NEW ORLEANS—The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation has opened applications for the 2022 Catapult Fund small business training program.

The 2022 Catapult Fund is open to entrepreneurs in the beauty, fashion and jewelry industries.

To be eligible, applicants must have small Louisiana-based businesses in the beauty, fashion, and jewelry industries. These may include clothing, cosmetics, soaps, hair products, and more.

The Catapult Fund provides a 12-session course, over three months, of business training. Sessions will take place on Tuesdays from 9:30

Apply online for Catapult Fund Small Business Training Program at www.catapultfund.org

a.m. to 12 p.m. All classes will be held virtually via Zoom. Following completion of the training course, participants will be awarded grant funding.

The deadline for online applica tions is January 12, 2022. All appli cations and supporting documenta tion must be submitted online.

On Tuesday, January 25, 2022, interviews will take place virtually.

Courses will take place between Feb ruary 1, 2022 – April 26, 2022. This program is a partnership be tween the New Orleans Jazz & Heri tage Foundation and Capital One Bank and the Louisiana Small Busi ness Development Center Greater New Orleans and River Region.

ONLINE: catapultfund.org

Floral designer Sharon Johnson heads to the 2022 Tournament of Roses Parade

At 11 years old, Sharon Johnson would decorate and create flowers from construction paper.

“As I grew older, my passion for flowers continued to grow. It’s kind of in my DNA to be attracted to flowers,” said the Shreveport native.

This passion led her into project management, event planning, and decoration projects for large business events as well as smaller projects for individuals.

In January, her passion and creative talents will lead her through “the Holy Grail for floral designers” as she joins the Tournament of Roses design team in Pasadena, California.

“My goal is to showcase my talent and to show that the skills I have been able to perfect over numerous

SHARON JOHNSON

years can stand up against the best of the best. I have watched the Tournament of Roses Parade for years and it has been a dream of mine to one day get an opportunity

to participate,” Johnson told The Shreveport Sun.

Last month, she accepted an invitation from event planner Scot Wedgeworth to join senior members

of next year’s floral design team in creating floats using flowers and other natural materials. Together, they will design crafted floats around the theme “Dream. Believe. Achieve” for Honda, China Airlines, Reese’s, Blue Diamond Almonds, and other brands. According to Johnson, she is the first Black woman to serve on the design team.

“I look at this opportunity as a gift from God. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that many others in this field will not be able to experience,” she said.

She will leave for the parade on Christmas Day and meet the other artists from around the country.

“Being from Shreveport will give me an opportunity to show that

talented people come from all parts of the world,” she said.

The 133rd Tournament of Roses Parade and annual Rose Bowl College Football Game will be held January 1, 2022.

The Grand Marshall will be LeVar Burton, the former host and executive producer of PBS’s “Reading Rainbow;” starring actor as Kunta Kinte in the acclaimed television mini-series “Roots

More than 900 volunteers will help in the production of the twohour parade that will feature floral floats, marching bands, and high stepping equestrians along a fiveand-a-half-mile parade route.

people started gravitating to me and expressing their problems so I made Epsom salt, candles, teas and bath bombs for them for free. One day a coworker wanted to cashapp me and she gave me $200 and told me to start my busi ness,” Fountain said. The Alchemist Table was founded August 1, 2020 with the help of her parents and brother as financial partners.

“Our mission is to take a holistic approach to help balance, relax, and purify the body. We offer a variety of alternative health products that treat you, not your condition. We believe that you are not living your best life possible, unless your mind and body are completely healthy. Our goal is to provide bath bombs,

shower steamers, Epsom salt, and yoni steam to heal the body naturally with out relying on industrially produced pharma ceuticals. Our candles is designed to used dur ing personal moments bathroom, table settings for date night, spiritual healing and ancestral gifts,” she said.

Are there any memories connected to the scent? Every scent and candle all came in my dreams after deep meditation. All scents is to spark ones own memory. Meaning because these candles smell like the dessert and or pie and replicate the exact look. Its made for one to smile and think of moments in their life with their friends/family and relive and celebrated a moments or remembrance of someone that

may have passed away. These candles is to cel ebrate the past, present and future. Its not just the scent it’s the aesthetic as well. Personally, my candles are tributes to my guardians, my family members, and to celebrate our legacies. Are there any benefits of the signature scent? Custom Candles and my personal care products have scents to help with different chakras.

Any other information to share about your candles? All our scents are unquie be cause we use a gel wax or a mixture with paraf fin wax. I learned a lot of people are allergic to soy wax and can’t enjoy candles. Also as an alchemist, it’s easy for me to manipulate these waxes to look and smell delicious. A typical soy

candle can burn out less than a day and is a cheaper alternative. Depending on the candle, our gel candles can last 30 hours or more and you don’t have to burn our candles to enjoy the smell. We have sold candles internationally to Italy and France and found at several shops throughout the United States.

Where to buy this candle online and stores: All products are at www.thealchemist table.com and shops can purchase wholesale net60 with a $200 credit is available just click wholesale tab on my website. Follow on Instagram @the_alchemist_table or email helpdesk@thealchemisttable.com for custom candles.

usually a mug—and its connection to that episode.

During an episode on colorism where the women shared emotional ties and pride in heritage. Young—who is Creole-- presented her favorite cup. It has a crawfish printed on it. “I use this cup every day since then because it is a reminder of the creativity of God.”

On a more recent episode on BurnOut!, Cooper presented a mint green cup with “Nah” imprinted. “Not today Satan. I thought this cup was befitting because the guests—Beryl Cowthran and Barbara Lewis—discussed spiritual, professional, and emotional burnout.

Cooper and Young select guests who have had experiences that reach beyond their own. “Do you have the life experiences or close

association? We have the Jesus part covered,” said Cooper.

For example, one guest was concerned that she would not contribute to the show because she was not a Christian and because she may inadvertently curse. “Well, she came and did an amazing job and did not curse once,” said Young. “What we learned from that episode is that we are doing exactly what we intended to do and that is to have a safe place for women that did not feel like church but felt like the love of God.”

After another show, one guest thanked Cooper for allowing them to speak on suicide and not feel judged. Although the guest said she was not a Believer, she felt God’s comfort at the time of the suicide of a family member. The

guest said her experience on the show “renewed her hope in humanity,” Young said. “We felt blessed that she was able to come on our show and tell people how God was still concerned about her even though she had no belief.”

“It also showed us how this show was reaching the people we truly wanted to impact without judgment or ridicule,” said Cooper who is also co-founder of New Creations Family Church. She and her husband moved to Shreveport 28-years ago and began the ministry. She is a published author and works as the church’s administrative pastor while Young works at a planned parenting center. They have authored four books among them and are looking to expand the show to podcasts and in-person, touring shows where they will

meet with other women.

“The joy is in the journey, not the designation,” said Cooper. “Our time is so valuable. It is liquid gold. This is a conduit for God to use us.”

They invite others to “sit, sip, stay awhile,” Cooper said. “That’s what SisterFriends do. They sit. They sip. They stay awhile to help change the world. They share stories that empower one another.”

A new show airs every Wednesday at www. sisterfriendscupsandconvo.com, on Facebook @SisterFriendscupsandconvo and on YouTube. Show executive directors Lucretia Church and Dwayne Taylor. Sponsorships are available and start at $50 an episode.

Make space for grace and amplify your life in 2022

X by gErriE summErs sPEcial To ThE drum

“Life is short, and it’s up to you to make it sweet,” said Sadie Delany, the elder of the celebrated Delany sisters, who passed away at 109.

Often as we get older, we sense that our productive and healthy years are limited. Meanwhile, our obligations, tasks and responsibilities have a way of mushrooming at midlife, don’t they? We’ve all heard a certain bit of wisdom that seems like common knowledge, yet few of us make it a common practice. It’s the discipline to continually think about the things in your life that you value most.

Focusing on the elements of life that bring us joy and reduce stress gives us the clarity and freedom to chuck the rest. According to a University of the Sciences study, narrowing one’s possessions, activities and thoughts plays a role in boosting mental and physical health.

That’s why I’m applying this mantra to all I do in 2022: Keep It Simple, Sister (KISS). Of course, the key to following through is letting go of guilt and setting healthy boundaries. Consider these ways to KISS time wasters goodbye as you open your life to greater contentment, deeper relationships and daily choices that support health and vitality.

Simplify your goals. Create a master list of your goals. Pick one to three goals each month and break them down into doable tasks to accomplish each day.

Create easy-to-do morning and evening routines. Without a routine, you’ll do things haphazardly and find at the end of the day that several things didn’t get done. (Trust me on this). But make your daily routine simple. Don’t take on too much at one time. If you’re like me, you’ll get overwhelmed and end up doing very little.

Save morning time. Place items that you always need to have with you (commuter rail or subway passes, house and car keys, sanitizers, masks) in a basket by the front door. Or pack your purse, backpack or briefcase the night before. Also set out your clothing for the next day at this time.

Plan a weekly menu and make one trip to the grocery store for ingredients. This will help you eat healthier and help reduce unplanned doctor visits and medications.

Simplify meals. Use a multicooker or slow cooker to cook dinner during the day. Make weekly meals and freeze for ready-to-eat meals.

Keep your exercise plan simple and fun. Attempting too much at once might be discouraging. To get moving, start with a daily walk or a fifteen-minute cardio routine.

Simplify beauty routines with multipurpose products, when possible.

SUMMERS

Reduce time on social media and reading emails. Check and write emails at certain times of the day, for a specific amount of time. Act on them right away or them put into followup folders and specify a time or day to revisit them. Turn off social media notifications.

Encourage friends, family and associates to use brief text messages during the week, when appropriate, instead of lengthy calls. At other times, having a designated weekday to check in helps everyone on the call to be present for one another. Make plans to connect meaningfully on weekends.

Cut down on TV and Internet. I’ve taken to cleaning and doing filing while watching programs. (The only time when multitasking works.) Limit how often you check the news during the day.

DELETE THE EXCESS

Eliminate the unnecessary things in your home. Take it from the Clutter Queen, too many possessions wastes time — looking for things, having to stop what you’re doing to clean when you need a home repair or have visitors. According to WebMD, clutter can have negative effects on physical and mental health, including stress.

Get rid of items first, then organize. Use the weekend to purge. Then remember to clean as you go. When you’re finished with something, put it back where it belongs.

Edit your wardrobe. Get rid of what you don’t wear, what doesn’t look good on you or doesn’t match other items. Don’t save damaged items unless you really plan to repair them — and do it right away.

Don’t make unnecessary purchases. Less stuff means less debt and less space taken up

in your home.

Switch to audiobooks or e-books. Both will help you cut down on physical books. If you’d rather read an actual book (like me), be sure to donate them when you’re finished. Only keep the classics and true loves. Bonus: You can enjoy audiobooks while cleaning, exercising or preparing healthy meals.

Reduce files. There’s such a thing as being a digital packrat. Schedule time during the week to delete emails, texts and other unnecessary files that take up data or memory on your phone and computer.

Cancel magazine subscriptions and online newsletters (not this one!) and magazines that you rarely read.

Declutter your mind. Decluttering also means avoiding the toxic people in your life

who take up emotional space in a negative way. Work to heal past wounds. Make amends. Work at limiting feelings of resentment, jealousy and anger. All of these things can take up space in your mind, taking up the precious time you have to enjoy your life. Replace your negative thoughts with positive ones.

Leave time for me time. Don’t schedule every moment. Leave time for self-care and rest.

Reduce your commitments. Learn to say no to things you don’t have the time for or don’t want to do.

Live in the moment, instead of the past or the future. Worry can make you unable to live your life to its fullest. Cultivating mindfulness can be life-changing.

Gerrie Summers is a writer with Sisters from AARP blog. She combines her passion for writing, wellness and being a wanderlust, as a travel, lifestyle, health and beauty writer.

ONLINE: sistersletter.com/author/gerrie-summers

Jaelyn Carr hated science until she attended STEM NOLA

When Jaelyn Carr begins her freshman year at Boston University in the fall, the 17-year-old will major in neuroscience. It’s been quite an evolution for the young scholar, who a few years ago, despised the mere thought of science.

“I hated, hated science,” she said. “I thought, ‘This just doesn’t make sense to me.’ I thought it was so stupid. Why does anyone need to learn this?”

Then came the transformation. In eighth grade, Carr’s worldview and aspirations changed after attending a workshop sponsored by STEM NOLA, the New Orleansbased non-profit focusing on STEM education. STEM NOLA’s hands-on teaching and activities empower k-12 students to learn science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through their own intuitions and actions.

The workshop Carr attended presented biology “in a very digestible way. It made me feel I could do it and really piqued an interest in the sciences.”

The teenager said she went from hating science to adopting a career ambition to “figuring out what makes the brain work.” Her STEM NOLA

experience triggered the change.

During her experience, Carr completed a dissection where several college assistants were “sounding boards for the students.”

“I was able to ask questions–lots of them–and the college student next to me would answer them. They had an answer for everything that popped into my mind. They made me realize that it’s not whether you’re good at science. It’s whether you are interested enough to take the time to learn it.”

After attending that workshop, she was determined to excel in science and become a neuroscientist.

The next year, when she attended high school, Carr called one of her STEM NOLA instructors to discuss how to survive physics. They reminded her that learning a difficult science was

not a measure of her intelligence. It was an opportunity for her to take the initiative to explore the rules of science on her own.

She said she recognizes how different things could have been if her eyes hadn’t been opened to the wonderful world of science and biology. “I literally would not be where I am today,” she said. “I probably would’ve done something in English. I’ve always been good at English, but I wanted to challenge myself. That’s what I will get opportunities to continue to do.”

Outside of studying science, Carr plays the piano, enjoys photography and reads topics like quantum physics. She does yoga, likes to write, and enjoys caring for plants.

“I’ve had a lot of family members to be affected by Alzheimer’s, depression, and anxiety,” she said. “I think that neuroscience is like the perfect mix between psychology, which was one of my first loves, and biology. It makes the most sense to me. It makes me feel like I will have the ability to make a difference.”

PhD

STEM NOLA FOUNDER

Along with her mentors at STEM NOLA, Carr has plenty of support at home. Her father is a lawyer and her mother’s organization advocates for reproductive justice. “My parents are happy for me and proud of me. They see that I have a passion for what I want to do. This really feels like the way that I can help change the world,” Carr said.

In 2014, Calvin Mackie Ph.D, a former tenured Tulane engineering professor, began STEM NOLA to “inform, inspire and engage communities in learning STEM.” It is an award-winning program that has amassed millions of dollars in support to provide sciencebased activities, events, and virtual learning.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization specialized in hosting events and bringing STEM experiences to urban neighborhoods. It has transformed to include virtual sessions.

Over the past seven years, STEM NOLA has engaged more than 70,000 K to 12 students, 17,000 families and 2,150 schools across the country and in four countries. The program is continuing to expand to new locations across the country which led Mackie to expand into the parent organization STEM Global Action.

ONLINE: stemnola.com

This article first appeared as Jaelyn Carr’s Dream to Become a Neuroscientist was Born at STEM NOLA at STEM Global Action.

CALVIN MACKIE,

JAELYN CARR

STEM NOLA ACTIVITY IN BATON ROUGE