"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : CHARLIE BALLARD SR.

"By George, I think she's got it!" Just in case anyone was curious to know where the above expression came from, the expression is said to have originated from a line in the popular musical,"My Fair Lady." Well, on that note, let me inform everyone about a recent action of the Louisiana State Congress involving the "NEW JACK CITY" that was established a couple of years ago, in East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which is known as ST. GEORGE. "A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO THE LOUISIANA STATE CONGRESS APPROVED A BILL ESTABLISHING THE ST. GEORGE COMMUNITY SCHOOL SYSTEM WITH THE SAME AUTHORITY THAT A PARISH NOW HAS!" Come to find out, the Bill passed,"WITHOUT SOME OF THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ACTUALLY VOTING FOR OR AGAINST THE BILL!" Truth be told,They simply didn't bother to vote, which is the complete opposite of what they keep telling the Citizens of Louisiana to do when it's time to Vote them into office! On the other hand, it shouldn't come as such a surprise, "BEING THAT 10 YEARS AGO, MEMBERS OF THE LOUISIANA STATE CONGRESS WERE ALLOWED TO GO IN AND CHANGE THEIR VOTE ON A BILL, A COUPLE OF WEEKS AFTER THEY HAD VOTED THE OPPOSITE WAY!" Just think, these are the same people who get to decide the education and overall welfare of the Citizens, in all of Louisiana! Now, Ain't that A Biscuit! With that said, let's get to this week's Black Pioneer, Charlie Ballard Sr., who was a land owner in Ouachita Parish. It was reported that Charlie and his family moved to Monroe from North Carolina, sometime between 1888 and 1898. It should interest many citizens in Monroe to know that the land that Charlie purchased in the late 1800s, "JUST HAPPENS TO BE WHERE THE BLACK SUBDIVISION, KNOWN AS PINE BAYOU IS CURRENTLY LOCATED." When Charlie bought the land, it was known as Sixteen Section, and often referred to as Bristle Ridge. Additionally, in 1913, Charlie's son, Ben Ballard married Mattie Brown, possibly from the family of Browns in Richwood, Louisiana. When I say that they bought land, I'm not talking about a measly 4 or 5 acres, the father bought 75 acres and the son bought 185 acres. To help pay the land off, they used a system known as the "HALF HAND," whereby the tenants living on their land would split the crops raised 50/50. Something else that stood out when I read about Charlie Ballard was how he, along with his son and a few other Negroes founded "UNION HILL BAPTIST CHURCH, on Highway 15. Furthermore, the church stands today as a remembrance as well as a Testimony to what our Black Ancestors have been able to accomplish throughout the years!

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : FRANK NED BRIDGES

"Whoever wants to educate adults really wants to act as their guardian and prevent them from political activity.The word education has an evil sound in politics; there is a pretense of education, when the real purpose is COERCION without the use of force” -Hannah Arendt's polemical 1958 essay,"The Crisis in Education" Yes, It seems that while many of the people in Louisiana minds were focused on the "slick calculated stunt" that Senator Stewart Cathey pulled off in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, when he "SLIPPED A MICKEY" into Senate Bill Amendment 220, at the last minute to deceive other Louisiana Senators and and State Legislators, so that they would Vote in favor of the Bill. "SOMETHING ELSE WITH A MAGNITUDE OF IMPORTANCE WITHIN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, FELL OFF THE RADAR!" What exactly am I talking about you ask? Why, I'm talking about Governor Jeff Landry's new highly touted and anticipated, "LA. GATOR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM," of course! Even from the beginning when the La.Gator Scholarship Program "WAS FIRST PUSHED THROUGH AND PASSED," many of the State Senators and State Legislators had already told Governor Jeff Landry and Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley that there was no way that they could include "the extra $50 Million Dollars" that Governor Landry vehemently wanted in the budget, which began in July of this year. Nevertheless, the Governor still told Brumley to go full steam ahead with their plan to offer thousands of scholarships to Louisiana Students, who were mostly White Students that attended Private Schools in Louisiana. Therefore, in March of this year, Cade Brumley issued the invitation for Louisiana Students to submit their applications for the La.Gator Scholarship Program. Although, it has been rumored that "thousands of White Students had applied for the program," State Legislators were reluctant to move money around to come up with "the extra $50 Million Dollars" that Governor Landry and Superintendent Cade Brumley wanted, in order to fund the La. Gator Scholarship Program for the 2025 - 2026 School Year. So now it looks like students in Louisiana will just have to wait untill the 2026 - 2027 School Year to find out whether or not the Governor can convince more of the members of the Louisiana State Congress to allocate the money that he wants for his flagship program. By the way, on the other hand, $44 Million Dollars was approved and allocated in the budget to pay for 5,600 students who will be attending Private Schools in Louisiana, under a voucher program that was initiated more than a decade ago, by former Governor Bobby Jindal. Now, on to this week's Black Pioneer! Frank Ned Bridges was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 14, 1896. While I couldn't find out anything about Frank's early childhood, I did find out that somehow, he made it all the way to Monroe, Louisiana. Also, I learned that he lived somewhere on Olive Street in Monroe, as a border, in the home of Joseph and Lizzie Johnson, a married Mulatto couple. By the way, Frank worked as a cook at the "Monroe Hotel," similar to the "Hotel Monroe" that recently opened in Monroe. Additionally, Frank was married to a Colored lady by the name of, Bessie Doris West, they were married in the town of Sterlington, Louisiana. Bessie and Frank had two boys, Robert and Dan. As I read about Frank, something that especially stood out was that he had served in the U.S. Military during both World War l and World War ll. During my research, I found out that once he returned home to Monroe, Louisiana from World War ll, Frank and Bessie, along with their two sons, "DECIDED TO TAKE PART IN THE GREAT MIGRATION FROM THE SOUTH TO THE NORTH!" On another note, I think that "EVERY TEACHER and EVERY STUDENT in LOUISIANA" should be taught thoroughly about the "GREAT MIGRATION" as well the circumstances and conditions that triggered it! Well, like Uncle Jed and Ellie Mae Clampett, Frank and Bessie were advised that California was the place where they ought to be, so they loaded up the family and moved to Oakland "OAKTOWN" California. Finally, on June 3, 1966, this proud Black Veteran of World War I & World War ll, and former Cook of the Monroe Hotel, went home to meet his maker! Frank Ned Bridges was buried on June 10 1966, at Golden Gate National Cemetery, in San Bruno, San Mateo County California.

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : OLLIE MAE HAMILTON BURNS

Aaaah, Snap," is a common expression that's often used in urban slang, as a reaction to a witty comeback, or a surprising event. However, in this instance, I happen to be referring to the government program known as "SNAP," or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as the "U.S. GOVERNMENT FOOD STAMP PROGRAM." Recently, in several States, in America, there was a "BAN" placed on several food items, under the SNAP PROGRAM that has made "THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM A HOT TOPIC," within the Black Community in Monroe, Louisiana! You see, it's "NO GREAT SECRET" that in 2024, Monroe, Louisiana was "RANKED AS THE #1 STATE in The UNITED STATES" for having the highest percentage of Metro Households living below the poverty line, according to a MYARKLAMISS.COM REPORT. Which means that a great number of Monroe Citizens are "CURRENTLY RECEIVING GOVERNMENT SNAP BENEFITS EACH MONTH." For some odd reason, something lead me to go online and do a search on the SNAP PROGRAM. One of the interesting things that I found out was that recently, President Trump, along with many White Political Leaders,Representatives, and Lawmakers of different States recently "DECIDED TO DO A CRACK DOWN ON FOOD STAMP FRAUD IN AMERICA." Oooooops,it seems that "PEOPLE SELLING FOOD STAMPS & SNAP BENEFITS IS CONSIDERED A FORM OF FRAUD, PUNISHABLE BY LAW!" Also, in many states, "SELLING FOOD STAMPS" IS LEGALLY CONSIDERED "TRAFFICKING," which is also punishable by law! As I dug deeper, I found out that the SNAP FOOD BAN and THE FOOD STAMP CRACK DOWN are both a part of "A FIVE POINT AGENDA, WITHIN PROJECT 2025!" The Five Points include : 1. PLACING BANS ON FOODS THAT CAN BE PURCHASED WITH A SNAP CARD 2. CUTTING THE SNAP BENEFITS OF "OVER 40 MILLION RECIPIENTS," THROUGH CHANGES IN THE PROGRAM 3.FORCE STATES TO MAKE DEEPER CUTS IN SNAP BENEFITS, BY RADICALLY ALTERING SNAP'S FUNDING STRUCTURE 4.END SNAP ELIGIBILITY FOR PEOPLE WHEN PEOPLE GET A RAISE IN PAY OR PUT OVER A CERTAIN AMOUNT IN THEIR SAVINGS ACCOUNT 5.EXPANDING WORK REQUIREMENTS FOR VETERANS, HOMELESS PEOPLE, PEOPLE LIVING IN AREAS WITH INSUFFICIENT JOBS, OLDER ADULTS OVER THE AGE OF 50, AND PARENTS WITH SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN!!! By the way, the crazy thing about it is that President Trump, White Politicians, Representatives, and Lawmakers are doing it all "UNDER THE GUISE OF KEEPING PEOPLE FROM EATING SUGARY F youOODS, SO THAT PEOPLE WON'T GET CERTAIN DISEASES! "WELL, AIN'T THAT A BISCUIT!" Enough about all that, let's get to this week's Black Pioneer! Ollie Mae Hamilton Burns was born June 13, 1911, in Ouachita Parish. Ollie attend elementary school at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, on Horseshoe Lake. Yes, many of the first schools for Colored People in Monroe and Ouachita Parish were operated through local churches! Upon graduating, she enrolled at Monroe Colored High School in Monroe. In 1929, Ollie graduated after finishing the 11th grade, because at that time, Monroe Colored High only went up to the 11th grade. After attending Southern University for 2 years, Ollie had to dropout of college for a couple of years.However, because there were few or no laws against teaching without a college degree, Ollie was able to teach and earn money for when she got the opportunity to go back to college. In the meantime, Ollie taught at different schools, in different parishes in Louisiana. Although, she married Rev. Alex Burns and started her family, her fire and desire to attend college never left her! Finally, around 1945, Ollie was able to enroll at Grambling State University, the college where she graduated from in 1947. "It may also interest you to know that in 1957, Ollie became the first Negro in History to ever receive a Master's Degree in Library Science from Louisiana State University!" Furthermore, Ollie went on to become a fine librarian and teacher within the Ouachita Parish School System. Among the list of her many accomplishments included : Her work as a dedicated Church Member & Worker at First Missionary Baptist Church in Monroe, where she wrote the initial proposal for the funding of the "NEW WAY CENTER," as well as served as the Director of the center for 20 years, and her work as librarian at First Missionary Baptist Church; Her work as a member of the Monroe Human Right Council ; Her work in helping start the Ouachita Head Start Program ; and Her work in helping to desegregate schools in Ouachita Parish. Without a doubt, Ollie definitely made an impact within the Black Communities of Monroe, Louisiana, Ouachita Parish, and the State of Louisiana! On February 26, 2004, after over 50 years of toiling and sacrificing to give the future generations of Black People in Monroe and Ouachita Parish a chance of a better life ; thousands of people cried, as Ollie Mae Hamilton Burns laid down and died!

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : FORMER MONRO BARBERSHOP OWNER BENNERSON STAMPER

"If Knowledge Can Make A Man Unfit To Be A Slave as Frederick Douglas said, then Research Can Certainly Make A Man Unfit To Be Fooled and Manipulated by Main Stream Media!" -Garry O'Dell Blanson While I was researching online, I came across one of Mayor Oliver Ellis's campaign promises that he made during his first run for Mayor of Monroe, Louisiana, but hasn't been able to keep! In an interview with a local television station in Monroe, he talked about how he learned that many citizens in Monroe felt like White Citizens and Black Citizens were divided as well as the City itself, and that he was going to work hard at fixing the division. No offense to the Mayor, but after "OVER FOUR and A HALF YEARS" of him being in office, Black Citizens and White Citizens in Monroe are "EVEN MORE DIVIDED THAN THEY WERE BEFORE HE TOOK OFFICE!" Not only that, but recently Mayor Ellis took it upon himself to persuade Senator Cathey to amend a bill that essentially transfers the authority to elect a new Fire Marshal from the Monroe City Council to the Governor of Louisiana. It's no wonder that many Black and White Citizens of Monroe view this blatant type of behavior by Mayor Ellis as extremely reprehensible! Additionally, it reminds me of the time during his first term in office, when he tried to move the date and time of a regular Monroe City Council Meeting, so that many Black Citizens could not attend the Council Meeting concerning the Council's Vote "about a stipend to be awarded to his friend, Michael Echols." Furthermore, it seems that now that Black Council Members are beginning to gain more power and authority, the Mayor feels that he needs to undermine their efforts, by any means necessary, including using Louisiana State Senators to introduce and pass bills that totally disrupt the policies and procedures of the Monroe City Council. Well, that's enough about Monroe's egotistical Mayor, let's get to this week's Black Pioneer! Bennerson Stamper was born on August 5, 1935, in Grayson, Louisiana to Frank and Lillie Stamper. After graduating from Union Central High School in Columbia, Louisiana, Bennerson enrolled at Southern University. However, before he was able to graduate, financial circumstances and family concerns led him to take a job working at the Brown Paper Mill in West Monroe, which is now Graphic Packaging. When he wasn't at work, his dad, who was a Barber, would always encourage Bennerson to cut hair on the side. "One day, Bennerson decided that his time was worth more than he was being paid at the paper mill!" Therefore, he decided to quit his job and go to Barber School instead. The Barber College that he chose was Tyler Barber College, which was located in Tyler, Texas. Once he graduated, he began working at Benjamin's Barbershop, which was located on North 6th Street in Monroe. After apprenticing, what many young Black Men in Monroe did before going to college became so popular, Bennerson was able to open his own Barbershop on North 7th Street in Monroe. Later, he went on to open two more Barbershops in Monroe, one at 3310 Renwick Street and another at 3009 Burg Jone Lane, in Monroe. Throughout the 70's, 80, and 90s, Bennerson trained and mentored thousands of aspiring Barbers, including Dawana Collins Foster & Wardell Coward. Finally, Bennerson was a member of the American Legion, a member of the Prince Hall Masons, and a faithful, dedicated member of St.Joseph Missionary Baptist Church, in West Monroe, Louisiana. Sadly, on September 5, 2007, after rendering "50 PLUS YEARS " of service in the Black Community as a Barber, and "OVER 20 YEARS" as a School Bus Driver, Bennerson Stamper took his eternal rest in Heaven!