THRIVING COMMUNITY HIT BY COVID-19

March 19, 2020, the first case of COVID-19 was reported, and on March 22, 2020, Governor John Bel Edwards issued a stay at home and mask mandate. Still, a city of approximately 80,000 people was labeled a coronavirus “hotspot.” Lake Charles’ government and health officials fought to control the spread of corona, asking citizens to practice social distancing, wear masks, and, more importantly, stay home whenever possible. However, not everyone agreed about what practices and procedures were working, so many decided not to follow any of them. 

On January 21, 2021, The Louisiana Department of Health reported 3,856 COVID-19 cases, bringing the total case count to 378,318, categorizing all Louisiana Parishes as “highest risk” (on a scale from lower, moderate, high, and highest).

A once-thriving community began to experience the loss of jobs and a decline in financial stability. The number of job layoffs and business closures kept rising. This added to the number of displaced and homeless. Ms. Pearl Cole and Abraham’s Tent, a local food pantry, continued to do what they could, providing 300 meals Monday through Saturday. Ms. Pearl’s answer to how had COVID-19 affected Abraham’s Tent said, “The reduction in help was a small issue, but the most significant thing was trying to buy food and supplies, with per-person limits on most item purchases. Overall, Ms. Pearl said, “we’ve been blessed to still be able to provide for the community.” 

NATIONAL CIVIL UNREST COMES TO LOUISIANA

Videos flooded social media exposing the violent killing of blacks by law enforcement and by non-blacks. On March 13, 2020, Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by a Louisville, Kentucky, police officer. On May 25, 2020, George Floyd stopped breathing after a Minneapolis police officer held his knee on the back of George Floyd’s neck for over eight minutes. I spoke to Donald Thomas, who organized the George Floyd rally in Lake Charles. Thomas, the owner of Southern Touch Entertainment and the Executive Director of The Louisiana Black Heritage Festival, explains what motivated him to step up and assemble the peaceful protest. He also shared his thoughts on the economic struggles Lake Charles and the state of Louisiana face and what a new national and local administration could do to fix the economy and create a more united union than that of the last four years.

On August 21, 2020, only an hour away from Lake Charles, Trayford Pellerin, of Lafayette, Louisiana, was gunned down in front of a local store. But like every other story of this nature, the exact details of the case were conflicting. The Lafayette Police Department’s account and witnesses’ differed significantly. The troubles that were once national news suddenly became local, and the outcry for justice seemed to go unheard. No charges were filed against the officers. However, three were placed on paid administrative leave. However, roughly half a dozen Lafayette police followed Pellerin nearly half a mile before opening fire on him as he tried to enter a store.

In 2010, the Lafayette Police Department was sued 107 times for excessive and improper use of force, including lethal force, against African-Americans. 

On October 2, 2020, the all-black armed militia NFAC (Not F****** Around Coalition) entered the city of Lafayette, Louisiana, to stand in solidarity with the family and friends of Trayford Pellerin as they peacefully protested and demanded answers. 

Before the arrival, founder and leader Grandmaster Jay and the NFAC’s requested meetings with Lafayette, U.S. House Representative Clay Higgins (Republican representing South Louisiana), who went on social media and made derogatory and threatened statements towards Grandmaster Jay and the NFAC. Higgins never deleted the posts but were removed, instead by Facebook administrators. During a brief phone conversation with Grandmaster Jay, Higgins said that he would meet NFAC and their leader upon arrival to Lafayette. However, Higgins never showed; he never offered a formal apology for the negative statements he made, nor were there any disciplinary actions against Higgins. November 2020, Higgins was re-elected, and while many were thrilled, others were outraged at the lack of contrition from the Congressman. 

Verone Thomas, a Community leader and criminal justice reform Advocate, spoke at the protest in Lafayette. Thomas mentioned getting out and voting during his speech and emphasized the importance that black citizens positioned themselves to run for local and state offices. Verone also spoke about the Jim Crow Laws, including the non-unanimous jury convictions, which has caused a highly disproportionate incarceration rate of African- Americans, mainly African American males.

Along with Verone Thomas, criminal justice reform organizations and advocacy groups began to speak out and scale up the fight against the violations of a specific demographic’s fundamental human and civil rights. Louisiana laws came under scrutiny when The United States Supreme Court banished the non-unanimous jury verdicts. A Jim Crow law that was only being used by Louisiana and Oregon. The Promise of Justice Initiative began its fight to have roughly 1500 inmates freed due to Jim Crow juries’ conviction. 

When the amendment made it onto the 2018 ballot, the verbiage did not include that the law is retroactive. On December 2, 2020, Edward vs. Vannoy, the trial to rectify this oversite began in the United States Supreme Court.

2020 HURRICANES LAURA AND DELTA

On August 27, 2020, Lake Charles was in the direct path of a major hurricane. Category 4 Hurricane Laura made landfall, bringing with it, wind peaks of up to 150 mph and a storm surge of 15-20 feet. Every structure in Lake Charles and the rest of Calcasieu parish that still stood had significant damage. This catastrophic event left numerous residents displaced; cities from Dallas, Texas, to New Orleans, Louisiana, housed the storm-stricken area residents. FEMA, Small Business Association, and Insurance companies found themselves overwhelmed with claims and many residents were unsure if they would be able to return to their homes to repair and rebuild. Resources quickly ran out, and many were left stuck in other cities, not knowing what to do next. 

The country responded by sending donations, volunteers, and supplies. The National Guard set up a post in an abandoned parking lot to hand out water, ice, tarps, and other supplies. 

Southwest Louisiana Center for Health Services, under the direction of JayVon Muhammad, the Chief Executive Officer and Dianna Ross, the Director of Community Affairs, along with other staff and volunteers, opened one side of the health facility and began providing the citizens with supplies, that ranged from cleaning and personal hygiene to food, ice, and hot meals. During an interview with Ms. Dianna Ross, she expressed how important it was for people around the country to “Not forget about us,” after the widespread news coverage of Hurricane Laura’s began to dwindle, only a couple of weeks after the storm made landfall in Lake Charles.

Some residents received the financial assistance they needed, and many began working on their homes and business, but then in October, Hurricane Delta hit, this time bringing floodwaters that thwarted all rebuilding efforts. American Red Cross, The Turkey Leg Hut, Convoy of Hope, The Cajun Navy, and many businesses and organizations, once again, drove from all over the nation to donate supplies and hot meals. 

Although most residents were collecting unemployment and SNAP benefits, as well as a stimulus check, many families still struggled to make ends meet and pay rent and monthly bills. All over the city, food trucks began popping up to make enough money to provide for their families and offer residents hot food since most of the restaurants were closed indefinitely due to the storms. 

HOMETOWN HEROES GIVE THE COMMUNITY HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

DONALD THOMAS

Donald Thomas, the Southern Touch Entertainment owner and the Executive Director of The Louisiana Black Heritage Festival, explains what drove him to organize the peaceful protest of George Floyd, and the racial issue Lake Charles faces.

JESSE BERNARD

On November 21, 2020, Jesse Bernard, owner of King of Diamonds Production and Management LLC. partnered with SWLA Center for Health Services to give away food for Thanksgiving. Bernard was able to give out over 100 Thanksgiving meal baskets that day. He decided to do more after speaking with many of the residents that he assisted that day. On December 13, 2020, Jesse Bernard loaded his truck with gift bags containing clothes, undergarments, and hygiene products. Bernard then donated the gift bags to local families in the hope of spreading a little holiday cheer. 

One family of three was incredibly grateful. A single mother of two, who has Multiple Sclerosis and has a developmentally delayed adult daughter, and a teenage son, have been living on one side of their mobile home after structural damage made the other side unlivable. Due to the destruction caused by the storms, the children lost all their possessions, except the few things they took during evacuation. Jesse Bernard’s contribution helped to provide clothing and a glimmer of hope. 

*Update: Jesse Bernard announced his bid to run for Mayor in the 2021 Congressional election.

Dianna Ross

Dianna Ross(D) of SWLA Center for Health Services, recently announced her candidacy for Lake Charles city council District A. Ms. Ross talks to The TEA Firm about being “a servant” and taking care of Lake Charles residents’ health issues, assisting the community, and the clear and continued need for help in Calcasieu parish.

DERRICK CEASAR

Derrick has been servicing the community of Lake Charles for over 20 years. As a “sophomore in high school, Derrick taught members of The Special Olympics. As an adult, Derrick continued his service by becoming a boxing trainer for people ages 8-40. Even with losing access to any indoor facilities, first due to COVID19 and then Hurricanes Laura and Delta, Derrick still spends his Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursday working with youth for Bayou Boxing. The TEA Firm caught up with Derrick on a cold Thursday to speak to him about how and why he does what he does.

TY’ERICA BORDELON

Maliyah “Ty’Erica” Bordelon, a 19-year-old aspiring model, singer, actress, and philanthropist, took time off from her busy schedule to give back to the community she was born and raised. She spent the day assembling and distributing food baskets to some of the homeless in Lake Charles. Ty’Erica loves her city and knows that achieving her dreams places her in a position to help rebuild the city of Lake Charles, and she has made it a priority to give back whenever she can. 

A NEW YEAR, A NEW ADMINISTRATION, A NEW HOPE

With the new year, 2021 has ushered in a new administration; one that is unprecedented as the nation welcomes its first African-American female Vice President of the United States.

The world and the United States had one of the most difficult years, in 2020. A global pandemic, a nation divided by politics and race, and an overwhelming number of police killings of blacks.

The residents of Lake Charles, Louisiana felt the burdens of the nation but also faced the wrath of Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Delta. Many issues were exposed and shoved to the forefront, such as Jim Crow laws and legal slavery in Louisiana, protests both in Lake Charles and the nearby cities, political battles, and the debate about ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Although the fight is far from over, Lake Charles and SWLA has a hope and determination that is unrivaled. Through it all the residents will keep on fighting to rebuild the once thriving city, and the leaders and citizens will press on.