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Actions speak louder

Diverse voices standing up to solve racial issues in Baton Rouge


It’s been nearly a year since our city was changed forever. The killings of Alton Sterling and three police officers created raw racial divides—and perhaps deepened ones that already existed. As we reflect on the ways Baton Rouge has changed over the past 365 days, we wanted to talk to the people taking action: doing the hard work to improve race relations, providing resources for the underserved, celebrating multiculturalism and working to defeat stereotypes. Our team sat down with change-makers of all races working to build a better future for all. We don’t pretend to have the answers, but these are the people asking the tough questions. Because this city will get better, if this group has anything to say about it.


“I’M MISSING A PIECE OF MY LIFE”

Abdullah Muflahi reflects on the loss of his friend and how his convenience store became a local protest landmark


MENDING RELATIONSHIPS

The Magnolia State Peace Officers aim to build positive connections between the community and law enforcement, including one creative new partnership


TOUGH TALKS

For Dialogue on Race facilitators, the discussion on racism hasn’t changed—it’s working with police officers that is new territory


STANDING IN SOLIDARITY

Through roles in Solidarity Baton Rouge, as a North Baton Rouge science teacher and as a legal observer at protests, Shannon Groll shows what it means to be an ally to people of color


BE MY NEIGHBOR

The Gardere Initiative brings together neighborhood kids of all races with enrichment programs


SOCIAL STUDIES

Students in McKinley’s Humanities Amped program do hands-on research on local social issues


EVERYONE AT THE TABLE

How Urban Congress plans to make real change in the lives of local African-American men


WE CAN RELATE

A leader on Mayor Broome’s race relations transition team, Dr. Albert Samuels shares thoughts on how to have productive conversations about race


FOREIGN TERRITORY

LSU’s Hector Zapata helps international students adapt to a new culture and way of life


HIGHER LEARNING

Baton Rouge Youth Coalition offers its underprivileged students a chance at higher education—while sharpening their life skills in the process


IN SEARCH OF HISTORY

LSU professor and author Lori L. Martin helps reveal the city’s civil rights roots


LOCAL AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY LANDMARKS


This article was originally published in the June 2017 issue of 225 Magazine.