Collection:LPB

Genre: Panel

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2005-01-19

Duration: 00:57:22

Subjects: Filmed panel discussions | Blanco, Kathleen Babineaux, 1942- | Poverty

Contributors:

• Courtney, Beth Host
• Zewe, Charles Host
• Godoy, Al Producer
• Williamson, Ann Interviewee
• Day, Jeff Interviewee
• Erwin, Barry Interviewee
• Harris, Larry Interviewee
• Knockum, Gwendolyn Interviewee
• Hebert, Marie Speaker
• Scherff, Mary Speaker
• Miller, Bettsie Speaker
• Johnson, Charles Speaker
• Chandler, Linda Speaker
• Thomas, Parry Speaker
• Elkins, Ed Speaker
• Gordon, Paula Speaker
• Sistrunk, Tim Speaker
• Hill, Tommy Speaker
• Ellender, Glenda Speaker
• Davis, Margot Speaker
• Pointer, Rose Speaker
• Turner, Linda Speaker
• Knight, Kelli Speaker
• Conley, Renae Speaker
• Blanco, Kathleen Panelist
• Smith, John Warner Panelist
• Bourg, Lorna Panelist

This episode of the series “Louisiana Public Square” from January 19, 2005, features Charles Zewe leading a discussion between the audience members and panelists on the high poverty rate in Louisiana. A background report on the topic precedes the discussion. It includes interviews with: Secretary Ann Williamson of the Louisiana Department of Social Services; Reverend Jeff Day, the executive director of the Baton Rouge Federation of Churches and Synagogues; Barry Erwin, the president of the Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL); Larry Harris, the principal at Broadmoor Elementary School in Baton Rouge; and Gwendolyn Knockum, a grandmother living in poverty. The audience members then discuss the causes of poverty. A panel of experts then joins the audience to answer their questions. The panelists are: Governor Kathleen Blanco; Secretary John Warner Smith of the Louisiana Department of Labor; and Lorna Bourg, the executive director of the Southern Mutual Help Association. They discuss: the high number of Louisiana children living in poverty; breaking the cycle of poverty through job training and education; the role of the business community; and homelessness. Hosts: Beth Courtney and Charles Zewe