In a landmark move reflecting a new era of collaboration and empathy, the Ouachita Parish Police Jury has unanimously voted to significantly increase funding for the Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce and broaden its support to various African-American-focused non-profit organizations. This strategic shift has been praised as a critical step towards addressing the unique needs and concerns of the black community within the parish.
Police Juror Reverend Micheal Thompson commended the cooperative spirit among his fellow jurors for directing a portion of the jury’s financial resources towards causes and initiatives aligned with the priorities of African-American citizens in the parish.
Support Black District causes
The initiative comes as a response to the growing need for increased community engagement and support for non-profit organizations combating crime, mentoring youth, and addressing community requirements.
Each juror was allocated $1 million from COVID relief funds for projects spanning from infrastructure development to community-driven activities. However, the collaboration between Thompson and fellow African-American juror Lonnie Hudson resulted in a strategic redirection of funds to channel…
