Kentwood Mayor Goes Beyond the Call of Duty

There is much that can be said about Irma T. Gordon, Mayor of the Town of Kentwood. A former educator in Tangipahoa Parish School System, former councilwoman, mother, sister, and friend. She rolls up her sleeves and works hard in her community. You can find her in her office five days a week working hard to improve our town.

She puts children first and is concerned for our youth. Whatever she can do to help them, she will do. She shows the same concern for the citizens in our community. She is embarking upon the second year in office and her work is visible.

Mayor Gordon greets everyone with a warm smile and hugs. She makes everyone feel welcome and she treats everyone with respect. Born and raised in the Town of Kentwood, Louisiana., It's not that many people that she doesn't know. If there is an event taking place in town and you invite Mayor Gordon, she will do her best to attend.

Under her leadership the Town of Kentwood will see growth. Most mayors in rural towns in the Parish of Tangipahoa aren't full time employees. Mayor Gordon goes beyond the call of duty to serve our town and it's citizens. Although serving the community is nothing new to Mayor Gordon she  served as the a councilwoman for several terms, politics isn't new to her.

Empowering Youth Through Entrepreneurship

Picking Fresh Blueberries

Summer is here and kids are thinking about vacations, swimming and other fun activities. But for kids like Connor, Carter, Chase and "Q" they're thinking about earning money.  This is a great time to teach business and entrepreneurial education to our youth. It will help them to understand money and how it works at an early age.  Often we hear parents tell their kids to go to college to get a good paying job. Today, more parents are talking with their children about starting their own business and stimulate economic thinking skills in their children. Teaching them about saving, investing and spending.

I met "Q" and his father several weeks ago cutting lawn in the neighborhood. I was deeply impressed with Q, at the age of nine years old he was riding the zero turn lawn mower. With his father working side by side with him teaching him what to do, and instilling in his son something he wish that he would have learned at an early age in life. Not only was his father teaching him, but it also help to develop a deeper father and son relationship.  Entrepreneurship education can offer youth financial solutions and well as help them to manage their finances as adults.

"Q" Lawn Care Service

My three grandsons, can be found early in the morning picking blueberries to fill their daily orders. I'm teaching them the marketing side of the business. They're learning some very important and valuable lessons about being in business for themselves. Oftentimes, people will support them because they are kids and they're trying to earn money through self-employment opportunities.

I strongly believe that we should instill in our children the importances of earning money to help them accomplish their goals. If we give them everything they ask for without earning it. We must ask ourselves what lessons are we teaching them. If you live in the Town of Kentwood and would like your lawn to be cut and maintain, please look for "Q" lawn services.

If you like the taste of freshly picked blueberries, place your order today and Connor, Chase and Carter, will pick them and deliver them to your door. All the boys have a goal that they want to achieve this summer and we want to support them by supporting our youth.

There is so many wonderful skills they will learn through entrepreneurship education— like how to

Patronizing each other

organized, communication, problem-solving, team works, money management and it will enhance their social skills.  At the end of their jobs, the boys patronized each other which is a very important lesson in itself.

I'm so proud of the boys for working and being creative to earn money. These lessons will follow them throughout life. Many kids have talents that can be package and marketed for sale or service.

Town of Kentwood Mayor Welcome Students From Bellarmine College Preparatory School

Irma T. Gordon,  Town of Kentwood, Mayor
Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr.

Mayor Gordon and Tangipahoa Parish elected officials welcome the students from Bellarmine College Preparatory School. Ten students and two instructors traveled close to twenty-five hundred miles to Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana to help the citizens who live below the poverty line. They met with political leaders and the local people in the Town of Kentwood and surrounding townships.

Councilman Trent Forrest of District 1, recognized all the parish elected officials. Followed by Parish President Robby Miller presenting a proclamation to the immersion group. Our elected officials extended a warm welcome to our guests and certainly they welcomed them back next year. This is the third year that the immersion  program has extend  help to the Mississippi Delta. The volunteers spent a week in our parish. While staying at the Tickfaw State Park in Tickfaw, Louisiana., they explored the beautiful scenery and the sounds of the tupelo swamp and all it's invaluable habitats. Joe Williams, one of the instructors recorded the sounds of the night inhabitants, although he said that the recording couldn't compare to hearing the sounds in person.

Robby Miller, Tangipahoa Parish President presenting a
proclamation to Bellarmine.

In 1989 the Lower Mississippi Delta Development Commission (LMDDC) was a group created by Congress with a mission of learning more about the problems that kept the Mississippi Delta from achieving any type of real status in the USA and to provide solutions to solve the problems. The Lower Mississippi Delta consist of 219 parishes and counties. All parishes in the state of Louisiana are among that 219.

There are a lot of communities in our parish that  face the issues of poverty. Lack of transportation, employment, community enrichment resources, affordable healthy care is just some of the problems citizens in rural areas face in our parish. Bringing awareness to our elected officials is the first step in seeking solutions to address the problems in our parish. The students and staff at Bellarmine became aware of some of the problems the citizens face by talking directly to them.

Immersion work in the state of Louisiana is offered in some districts across the states. Statewide,  immersion programs are offered in traditional public schools through middle school or eight grade. A New Orleans charter school, the International School  of Louisiana, offered immersion learning in both French and Spanish through high school accord to a article published by the Advocate Newspaper. Hopefully these students will travel internationally to France and Spain to enhance their education in both French and Spanish. Bellarmine Immersion Program offers their students the opportunity to participate in Domestic, Local and International Immersion trips. 

Such Immersion programs would be a welcome to our local schools to enhance the enrichment education of our students  in Tangipahoa Parish. Gathering of Hearts would like to thank everyone who welcomed the immersion group to our parish and community. We can't forget the town employees and the people who donated the breakfast and we certainly thank them for serving our guest. This was great team effort on behalf of everyone who participated. 

Town of Kentwood Elected Officials Volunteered Their Time to Serve Others

Kentwood Police Chief Micheal Kazerooni
Photo Credit: Walter C. Black

The Town of Kentwood elected officials cares about the citizens of their community. They joined Antoinette Harrell, co-founder of Gathering of Hearts to greet ten students and two instructors to do immersion work in the Town of Kentwood. 

Kentwood Chief Micheal Kazerooni and Constable Lemmie Chapman III was the first to greet our guests with an official welcome before the group proceeded to the community center to be greeted by the Honorable Mayor Irma T. Gordon, Parish President Robby Miller, and other elected officials. They were greeted with a breakfast followed by a tour of Kentwood.  After lunch,  the group began their volunteer work in the blistering heat. The heat in the deep south is totally different than what the students are used to in California. It was the first time visiting Louisiana for most of the students. 

Constable Lemmie Chapman III serving the community

Chief Kazerooni and Constable Chapman helped load the car with clothes and other items for the people in Coleman Place. Several of our elected officials really care about the town and its citizens. Gathering of Hearts would like to thank them for volunteering their time to help make this immersion trip a success for the students. 

It takes everyone in the community to work together to improve our community. When the elected officials leave their office and take to the streets to help serve the people in their community speaks volumes for those who we elected to serve our community. No matter what the situation you can find Constable Chapman and Chief Kazerooni helping others. It's refreshing to know that they will work side by side with you to help strengthen our community. No matter how many volunteer groups come into our town to help, we need the people who live in the Town of Kentwood and the elected officials to be the biggest contributors to improve the quality of life for all citizens. Whether it is working with the youth are helping senior citizens, the two public servants are giving of themselves. We are so proud of the work and volunteer services they do for the town. 

Volunteer work is vital in every community and most people would say; if I'm not getting paid, I'm not doing it. If we look around at other communities where people won't volunteer for any kind of community services you can see a difference. Thank you, Chief Kazerooni and Constable Chapman for your service rendered. 

Photo Credit: Photo Credit
Chief Micheal Kazerooni

All She Wanted Was A Front Porch

Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

Laura Coleman went blind in her early childhood. She later contacted the measles and lost her hearing. I can't imagine being blind and deaf. That what Laura face every day of her life. There is over 50, 000 deaf people that live in Louisiana.  In 2014 the Tangipahoa Parish 911 Center began using Smart911 for people who are hard of hearing. I'm starting to  researching programs that can help Laura have a better quality of life.  It will provide me the  opportunity to learn about the resources that's offered to people like Laura who live in Tangipahoa Parish. 

Laura's sister Ruthie stomps her feet when she wants to get Laura's attention. Laura feels the vibration for the floor and she knows that Ruthie is trying to get her attention. Ruthie promised her mother on her dying bed that she would take care of Laura and that is exactly what the entire family does. 

Her sister and niece told us how Laura likes to sit on the front porch and get some fresh air.  She hadn't been able to do that because the front porch had deteriorated and the family had to take it down due to safety reasons. During an interview with her sister Ruthie, I asked her what would she like to see a change in her home? "I would like to a front porch for my sister Laura," said Ruthie; she can't come outside and sit on the front porch like she use to. I guess I was still in shock that all she wanted was a front porch for her blind and deaf sister. 

I walked over to talk with  Wessam Albadry documentary and social photography photojournalist to tell him what her request was and he said he would help. The other volunteers all said that they would help out. Volunteers from the Town of Kentwood and San Francisco, California immediately started brainstorming to see what they could do to help. Some people donated the funds for materials and other donated their time and skills to build Laura a front porch.

Constable Lemmie Chapman III didn't hesitate to help. He picked up the supplies at the local hardware to build the porch for someone with special needs. Other came along and gave him a helping hand. The men in Coleman Place came after work to help.  It was strange to see Wessam put down the camera and pick up work tools to help build  Laura a porch. I'm so happy for Laura now,  she  can sit outside and enjoys the fresh cool morning and evening breeze.

Thank you, Constable Chapman, Wessam Al-badry, Wallace Gilmore and the other volunteers that to give Laura a front porch. Your kindness and generosity made a difference. It couldn't have happened without people like you.

During an interview with Constable Chapman, you could see the tears in his eyes after watching Laura come out and sit on the front porch. He made a difference in someone's life who really needed it. Although this home is out of his district but helping them was in his heart. We're  proud to have caring people like him and all the volunteers who served others.

Constable Chapman believe in being a public servant to his community. He has been in office less then two years but he is making a great impact on the community.  One more heart was gathered through this mission and we are here to help those in need.

Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

Left: Wallace Gilmore, Ruthie Coleman and Constable Lemmie Chapman III.








Copyright © 2016 by Antoinette Harrell

It Takes A Village

Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

A few weeks ago Brian Hookfin a native of the Town of Kentwood took me back in a community outside the city limits of Kentwood to a small community they call Coleman hole.  The name Coleman hole just didn't sit right with me so I started calling it "Coleman Place." Their homestead isn't that far from the parish line of Washington Parish, Louisiana.  Traveling on HWY 38,  northwest of the Town of Kentwood—up and down the rolling hills with lots of whispering pine trees and pastures with beautiful herds of cattle.

The people who live in Coleman Place are all related and have very nurturing and supporting relationships with each other.  They may not have a lot of material things but they have a lot of love for each other. I sit there taking notes on how they help each other and share what little they have with each other.

When I told people in the community that the Immersion group was going to work in Coleman Place; their response were " you're going in Coleman's hole!" I couldn't understand why they made that statement  "why, that's for me to find out, thinking to myself.  What I found is exactly opposite of what people was saying; but at any rate people don't hesitate to repeat what they heard about someone very quickly, not knowing if its factual or rumors. Therefore investigate or get to know a person or situation for yourself before believing the negative things said about a person or situation. I'm certainly not saying that they do not have any challenges at all. They have them like everyone else that is rich or poor, middle class or upper class.

The people who live there are such beautiful people that work and stand together. Something that's hard to find in many families and communities with lots more material things than the Coleman family. They understand that it does take a village to raise a child, to take care of the elders and keep their family together. When we  understand it takes a village we'll see great changes in our families and communities. The Coleman family exemplify family unity and that is an example to follow.

Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr.

I saw people that taking care of their children and helping one another. If one family member has a problem everyone came together to help that family member with that problem. I saw people who are very humble and respectful toward each other.

One of the pictures that was painted in my mind is the day they came together to  pray right outside. They held bible study outside under the clear blue evening skies. They wasn't concerned with a fancy church with central air or heat, or expensive chandeliers didn't stop them for worshiping God. They didn't sit on expense church pews with someone's name engraved on a plague saying, " in memory of" they sat on whatever chair they could find in the yard.

I learned so much from them in a short period of time. Now, I want to take what I learned from a family that may not have much but can teach so many about love and family loyalty. They welcome us with open arms and friendly smiles. They express their appreciation for the little help we gave to them.


Copyright © 2016 by Antoinette Harrell

Bellarmine College Preparatory Students Installed Solar Panel in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana

Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr. 

Students from Bellarmine installed a portable solar panel at one of the homes outside the city limits in the Town of Kentwood. Most of the homes in the Coleman community aren't energy efficient and doesn't have access to a generator in the event of a natural catastrophe. "The students put the solar panels together in the classroom to power homes in other countries," said Joe Williams.

The solar panels can power cell phones, three light bulbs and other small household electronic devices. The great thing about the solar panel box, it can be carried from room to room. Once the students finish installing the solar panel. Joe Williams gave Kim instructions on how to operate the panel box. "We can ship the solar panels ahead of time." said Joe.

Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr.

These type of solar panels can be of good use to many families living in rural area giving them access to cell phone service and other small items that need to be charged. The Coleman family was very happy and pleased to received the solar panel. Bellarmine students were so happy to help someone in need. I thought it was a great I deal to introduce the solar panel to rural communities on the North End of Tangipahoa Parish.

According to Meteorologist Kait Parker the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be the most active since 2012. A total of fourteen named storms, eight hurricanes and three major hurricanes are forecast during the upcoming season. With the new solar panel installed, the Coleman family will have access to some generated electric power.

Constable Chapman Always Giving A Helping Hand

Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

On any given day you can find Constable Lemmie Chapman III., helping someone in the community. Everyday I learn so much about him as a person who really cares and want to make a difference in someone's life.  From the moment the students from Bellarmine College Preparatory School  and the photo journalist arrived in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana., the constable worked right beside them. "If the students, instructors and photo journalist can come from San Jose, CA., and San Francisco to help us, I know I had to be there to assist them,"said Chapman. 

From picking up litter, painting, installing a solar panel, and helping a woman who doesn't live in the wards he serve but yet he found time to help build her a front porch. I had an opportunity to interview him several times about his duties as an elected official in Tangipahoa Parish. Each time I learn a little more about the constable that serves the Town of Kentwood and the Village of Tangipahoa. He is truly a servant to the people in the wards he serve. 

Constable Chapman building a porch

His passion is what drive him to help others. I asked him what drives him and where does the passion come from while building a front porch for Ruthie. He said," Ms. Harrell, they may not be in my ward, but they live in Tangipahoa Parish and I want to help them!" His works speaks volumes and many people have taken notice. If others would follow his example many communities would greatly improve. He take his duties as a servant of God and a servant to the people very serious 

I can't ever think of a time that I called upon Constable Chapman and he didn't answer the call to help me be a service to our community. His passion is contagious and he is very serious about being a public servant in his community. He often tells tell me; I'm here to serve the people, that what I was elected to do. 

He couldn't allow the group to leave without lessons on how to eat crawfish. He wanted to send them off with a taste of Louisiana cuisine after all the hard work they did to help us here in Tangipahoa Parish. Constable Chapman is truly example of a public servant. When he ran for office, his platform was to stand on honesty, leadership and integrity and these are the principals he stands on today. 

Nurturing Our Roots Media would like to salute Constable Chapman for all that he does to make our community a better community.