News
May 17, 2012
100 Reflections on TBR
We recently asked 100 faith and community leaders to share brief reflections on Together Baton Rouge. Below is the image that was generated automatically by entering those reflections into a program that creates a “word cloud”, based on the number of times each word is repeated.
Download a PDF of all the reflections here. Just read a few at random. We think they are a powerful testimony to what we are working to create in our community.
Click on the image to view a larger version of the “word cloud”.
May 15, 2012
TBR sets in motion Citywide scripture study series & participation in cancer prevention study
More than 160 faith and community leaders gathered at the May lunch gathering of Together Baton Rouge at Mt. Zion First Baptist Church.
1) We expanded the planning team working to develop TBR’s Contextual Scripture Study program. 2) We began planning our participation to help enroll 1000 people in a cancer prevention study in the Fall. And 3) we presented Citizenship Awards to Dorothy Thomas, Loyace Gant, Sidni Lloyd-Shorter, John Shorter, Dianne Hanley, Edgar Cage and Dr. Jule Assercq for their extraordinary work on transit reform.
Organized people can get a lot done in an hour!
April 22, 2012
Now we must hold CATS accountable for results
CLICK HERE (or on the image below) to download the Transit Reform Accountability Report Card.
Together Baton Rouge and the Baton Rouge Transit Coalition have developed an Accountability Report Card, which details every aspect of transit reform and when it will be implemented, if the April 21st election succeeds.
After the election, Together Baton Rouge will meet with the CATS board and management every three months and will use this Report Card to grade their performance on implementing transit reform. This was ratified through public commitments made by the CATS board and CEO at the Metro-wide Transit Assembly on March 20th and through a resolution passed by the CATS board on March 20th, 2012.
January 2012
150 leaders in attendance at Citywide Meeting on Public Education, Thursday, January 12th
Here’s a comment from a young woman who was there:
“I was there at Shiloh for the meeting. I was encouraged to go back to school when I heard how passionate others are about education. The meeting went WELL. I enjoyed myself and now I want to be apart of TOGETHER BATON ROUGE!”"
The gathering launched TBR’s strategy of community visits to EBR parish schools, which will be taking place between now and April.
April 28th, 2012
Transit election a historic victory for Together BR, The Advocate
“The biggest success to me, is that we have established and created a culture change in this city,” said another group leader, Edgar Cage. “It’s not just in the hands of the politicians anymore, it’s the people who have actually grabbed hold of the process, and see that they can make a difference.”
March 2012
Presentation on Comprehensive Transit Reform
To download a Frequently Asked Questions sheet on the transit system, CLICK HERE. (This is detailed document, but it’s a “must read” to be informed about transit reform and the April 21st election.)
To download a one page version of “the plan” for transit reform, with a route map, CLICK HERE.
December 2011
TBR taking action to address “food deserts” in Baton Rouge
The Scotlandville community is recognized by the USDA as the largest “food desert” in Baton Rouge.
Together Baton Rouge is working to bring a high-quality grocery store North Baton Rouge to address this food desert. We are conducting a “Food Access Survey” for institutions in Scotlandville or who have members who live in Scotlandville.
Please download a copy of the Food Access Survey by clicking here. This document can be copied for distribution among your members.
For more information, or to arrange dropping off completed surveys, call Edgar Cage, co-chair of the TBR Food Access team, at (225)774-7979 or email contact@togetherbr.org.
November 2011
Action Plan for Gilbert Memorial Park Cemetery
Download the Request for Proposals to become the “receiver” for Gilbert HERE
Conditions at Gilbert Memorial Park Cemetery have been unacceptable for too long. The LA Attorney General has filed suit to remove the current operators.
As a community, we must do our part to bring beauty and honor to our historic cemetery. Together Baton Rouge and the LA Attorney General’s office have announced a conference search process to identify a receiver to take over management the cemetery.
Email cemetery@togetherbr.org if you are interested in becoming the receiver.
May 2011
Game-changer
“Coalition voices concerns,” The Advocate
“Violent crime, lack of public transportation, low-performing public schools, dilapidated cemeteries and a lack of resources in poor areas of the parish led their list.
These were the stories told by residents Thursday night at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in front of more than 1,000 people.
“Concerned citizens hear from community leaders about issues crippling city,” CBS WAFB Channel 9 News
The head count at Shiloh Baptist Church was around 1100. The crowd of concerned citizens spilled into the foyer of the church. These faces represent different races, religious denominations, and walks of life. But they’re here because they have a lot in common.
May 2011
Together Baton Rouge takes action on public transportation
“Group developing options to improve bus system,” The Advocate
The presentation identified transit incentives that would affect both riders who rely on the service because they don’t have a car and those who may be indirectly affected because of benefits like economic development, reduced traffic congestion and being able to help their employees to work.
March 2011
Together Baton Rouge forms Blue Ribbon Commission to overhaul City-Parish public transit system
“Mayor introduces mass transit panel,” The Advocate
The commission was formed by Together Baton Rouge and the Baton Rouge Area Chamber.
“The charge to this commission will be to come up with a plan that the city can support; that the parish can support,” said the Rev. Melvin Rushing, a member of Together Baton Rouge and pastor with Progressive Baptist Church and Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church.
“Commission forms to implement FuturEBR transit Goals,” Baton Rouge Business Report
A 17-member commission charged with implementing transit goals outlined in the 30-year FuturEBR master plan was announced this morning by the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, Together Baton Rouge and Mayor Kip Holden.
March 2011
Together Baton Rouge gets first victory; Wins reconstruction of Blue Grass Bridge in Glen Oaks
“This is a great victory for our community,” said Mackie Smothers-El, a Glen Oaks resident and TBR leader. “This is restoring my faith in democracy.”
“Glen Oaks residents: Fix bridge,” The Advocate
Leaders of a coalition of religious leaders and civic groups known as Together Baton Rouge said they were pleased with commitments the city-parish has made to replace the deteriorated Blue Grass Drive bridge in Glen Oaks, which the state ordered closed in February 2010.
“Bridge Building,” NBC Channel 33 News
Resident Dorothy Thomas says it all would not have been possible without the help of a local community group, “We couldn’t get anything done without Together Baton Rouge.”
February 2011
TBR Institutions partner across racial lines for 2011 House Meeting Campaign
“Gathering brings black, white residents together”, The Advocate
“We’re making the human connection. It makes it personal,” Holland said. “Look at the folks that are here, they have the same dreams — a safe place to live and work. It’s not a black thing, or a white thing, or a north or south thing.”
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“Together Baton Rouge reaches across racial lines,” ABC WBRZ Channel 2 News
The group’s goals include taking on neighborhood blight, failing schools, and crime. But organizers say before they can find answers, they had to reach across racial lines and explain the problems.
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November 2010
Community leaders launch Together Baton Rouge
“Group plans to fix city-parish ills”, The Advocate
“This is the largest group of its kind I have ever seen in the city-parish,” Mayor-President Kip Holden said after the news briefing. “This will make my job easier with all these people working together to make our community a better place.”
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“New organization hopes to solve Baton Rouge problems”, WBRZ Channel 2 News
After two years of planning and organizing, community leaders today announced the formation of a multi-issue initiative called “Together Baton Rouge.”
October 2010
Foundation being laid for massive new community-building strategy
“Building Relationships”, Baton Rouge Business Report
More than two years ago, a group of black pastors from a handful of local churches got together to try to figure out how they could address some of the many problems affecting the largely low-income, black areas of the community.
