Spotlight on History
Black History Month Stories from LPB’s Folks
LPB has made 210 episodes of Folks, a minority affairs program that aired from 1981-1990, freely available for streaming here on the LDMA. The series highlighted issues related to African Americans and other minority groups in Louisiana, as well as lighter stories highlighting the state’s unique culture. Every February, the show highlighted Black History Month through a series of segments called Pause for Pride. Start exploring some of these stories related to segregation, the Civil Rights Movement, and African American culture.
Black Side of Desegregation (1982)
Watch a story on the effects of school desegregation on the black community in Lafayette Parish, including the closure of Paul Breaux High School.
1874 Battle of Liberty Place (1982)
View a report on the Battle of Liberty Place between white supremacists and the police in New Orleans and the controversial statue commemorating the event.
The New Orleans Four (1983)
See a ceremony honoring the four girls who integrated the New Orleans Public Schools in November 1960, Ruby Bridges, Leona Tate, Tessie Prevost, and Gail Etienne.
Quadroon Balls (1985)
Watch a story on the history of the quadroon balls in 19th century New Orleans, clandestine events where white men met free women of color, who would become their mistresses.
Sisters of the Holy Family (1985)
View a profile of the Sisters of the Holy Family in New Orleans, the second oldest order of black nuns in the United States. The order was founded in 1842 by Henriette DeLille.
1960 Baton Rouge Sit-ins (1985)
See a story on the Southern University students who participated in the sit-ins at the Kress Department Store, Sitman’s Drug Store, and the Greyhound Bus Station in Baton Rouge in 1960.
The Harlem Renaissance (1987)
Watch a report on the history of the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s, including a look at the Countee Cullen and Aaron Douglas Collections at the Amistad Research Center.
Black LSU Alumni Reunion (1988)
View a story on the first black alumni reunion at LSU, including an interview with A.P. Tureaud, Jr., the first African American to enroll as an undergraduate at LSU in 1953.
Gospel Music (1989)
See a story on the history and African American roots of gospel music, including a performance by the choir at True Light Baptist Church in Baton Rouge.
The History of the Sermon (1989)
Watch a report on the history of the sermon in the black church in the United States, including highlights of Reverend Willie Finister’s sermon at Mount Canaan Baptist Church in Baton Rouge.
W.E.B. DuBois (1989)
View a profile of W.E.B. Du Bois (1868-1963), a sociologist and founder of the NAACP, including an interview with his granddaughter Dr. Du Bois Williams, a professor at Xavier University.
History of Southern University (1989)
See an interview with Dr. Ruby Sims on the history of Southern University in Baton Rouge and the surrounding township, Scotlandville.
History of Jazz (1990)
Watch a report on the history of jazz music, including a performance by the Southern University Jazz Ensemble demonstrating the different eras of jazz.
Blacks in Louisiana Politics (1990)
View a story on the history of blacks in Louisiana politics from Reconstruction to the 1980s, including the importance of Oscar James Dunn, PBS Pinchback, and Ernest “Dutch” Morial.