Data News Weekly

Lighting The Road To The Future
“The People’s Paper”
Calling
All
Models!
Data Zone
Page 4
June 1 - June 7, 2024 59th Year Volume 6 www.ladatanews.com
A Data News Weekly Exclusive
LEDISI
Sharing the Gift of
Song and Inspiring
Future Generations
Newsmaker
Hurricane
Season Begins
June 1
Page 2
National News
Biden Makes
Historic Strides
in Diversifying
Page 6 Page 7

Page 2
June 1 - June 7, 2024
Cover Story
www.ladatanews.com
Ledisi
Sharing the Gift of Song and Inspiring Future Generations
Photo credit: Ron T. Young
Award-winning entertainer Ledisi embodies positivity and true beauty. She continues to inspire with her amazing talent.
Edwin Buggage
Editor-in-Chief Data News Weekly
A Woman of Excellence
She is an amazing flower, with a voice that captivates.
She’s garnered both critical and commercial
success throughout her decades-long career. Ledisi,
a Grammy Award-Winning Artist, who continues to
leave an indelible mark on the music industry with her
powerful voice and emotive performances. This beautiful
songstress was born in New Orleans and raised
in Oakland, Ledisi Anibade Young has built a career
characterized by versatility and resilience. Her unmistakable
sound blends elements of R&B, jazz, gospel,
and soul, earning her a devoted fanbase. Recently, one
of her stops on her successful tour was New Orleans.
“I love New Orleans, where I was born, and I feel a
deep sense of connection to the city every time I come
here. The food, the people, the rich history, the culture.
It is amazing and like no other city. I get to see
Cover Story, Continued on page 3.
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Cover Story
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Page 3
Cover Story, Continued from page 2.
my family and friends; I am proud
to have it as part of the story of who
I am.”
Staying True to Herself
Ledisi began singing in her
church choir and later trained in opera
and jazz at the University of California,
Berkeley. She formed a band
called Anibade and released her
first album independently, which
led to her being signed by a major
label. Her breakthrough came with
the release of her album “Lost &
Found” in 2007, which earned her
several Grammy nominations with
her winning in 2021 for Traditional
Best Performance.
“My life has been ups and downs
in the business. I am happy to win
the awards, but I feel my story is
more about persevering and staying
true to myself. This is as an artist
and a person. To not get caught
up in chasing trends and being unapologetically
who I am. I get women
and men who say that my music
changed their lives or inspired
them. This is a greater reward for
me than winning awards. That my
music has impact on a human level
hand has longevity.”
Ledisi and Data News Weekly Editor-in-Chief Edwin Buggage.
Passing it On to the
Next Generation
The late great artist and scholar
John Scott mantra was “Pass It
On” this is what Ledisi is doing.
Recently, she taught classes at the
Berklee College of Music. Where
at the recent commencement she
was presented an Honorary Doctor
of Music Degree. In addition to the
commencement festivities there
was a concert featuring a global
cast of over 200 student vocalists,
instrumentalists, dancers, arrangers,
and track producers from the
graduating class, who will perform
a musical tribute to Ledisi’s acclaimed
body of work.
“I think that giving back is important.
I am really excited to
have poured into the students at
the Berklee School of Music. I
have learned as much from them
as they have from me. I think
that teaching goes far beyond the
classroom. Everything we experience
in life can provide opportunities
to learn and grow. It is what
I have aimed to do in my many
creative projects, using these platforms
to help people not to just enjoy,
but reflect and become better
versions of themselves.
A Woman of Excellence:
Being an Honorary Delta
Ledisi was inducted into Delta
Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
She is an honorary member.
She joins other honorary members,
CNN’s Abby Phillip, MSNBC’s Joy-
Ann Reid and Collette V. Smith-the
NFL’s first Black woman coach. In a
press release from the organization
it said, honorary membership is the
highest honor extended to women
who have made significant contributions
to society while excelling in
their chosen field.
“I have family members and
friends who are Deltas, their commitment
to service and displaying
intelligence, elegance, and excellence
is a great legacy for Black
women. I am humbled to be selected
as an honorary member and will
use my platform and voice to help
elevate the great work they have
been doing for over 100 years.”
Impact and Legacy
Ledisi’s influence extends beyond
her music. She is celebrated
for her authenticity, vocal prowess,
and commitment to her craft. Her
journey from an independent artist
to a Grammy-Winning powerhouse
serves as an inspiration to many aspiring
musicians.
“I am a testament that staying
true to yourself pays off. It is my
goal to continue to grow as an artist
and person. Hoping to make a positive
impact on others and inspire
future generations to aspire to excellence
on their own terms.”

Page 4
June 1 - June 7, 2024
Data Zone
www.ladatanews.com
Calling All Models!
Tracee Dundas
Fashion Stylist
Photos: Courtesy of Photographer
Derix Dugan II | Depicted Images
As the highly anticipated New Orleans
Fashion Week approaches, set to take
place from September 15th - 21st, the
search is underway to find the fiercest
models to slay the catwalk.
A one-day open casting call has been
organized to discover both male and
female models that can slay and brings
a “wow factor” to the runway. Female
models height 5’7 and above, and male
models standing at 5’11 and above are
invited to attend the casting call. Previous
experience is beneficial but not
mandatory; instead, a captivating walk,
confidence, and an indescribable charisma
are sought to bring the fashions
to life. Models are required to wear all
black attire, females wear heels, minimum
makeup and everyone be prepared
to slay.
This seven-day Fashion Extravaganza
will feature models dressed in
exquisite designs from talented designers
hailing from the Gulf Coast Region
and beyond. Since, its inception in
2011, New Orleans Fashion Week has
been a valuable platform for designers
to showcase their collections, shining
a spotlight on the exceptional talent in
the Crescent City. NOFW has been the
catalyst and driving force that unites
fashion professionals in a series of
high-end runway shows, presentations,
pop-up boutiques, networking opportunities
and social experiences. Fashion
has been recognized as an important
contributor to the New Orleans culture
and is celebrated in conjunction with
the city’s legendary cuisine, music, art,
and film.
Moreover, NOFW has served as a
springboard for both designers and
models, leading to opportunities such as
appearances on popular TV shows like
Project Runway and America’s Next Top
Model, as well as invitations to prestigious
fashion events in cities like NYC,
Paris, and more.
NOFW Model Casting Call is scheduled
for Saturday, June 8th, 11AM - 3PM
at Riverwalk Outlets, 500 Port Street,
New Orleans, LA. Models chosen during
the casting will have the chance to showcase
their skills on the NOFW runway,
where they will be observed by talent
scouts in search of fresh faces to represent.
To participate in the casting call,
interested models are encouraged to preregister
at www.neworleansfashionweek.
com/modelcasting.
Visit www.ladatanews.com for more photos from these events.

www.ladatanews.com June 1 - June 7, 2024
Data Zone
Page 5
Louisiana Legend Spotlight:
Lynn Whitfield
Elise Schenck
Data News Weekly
Contributor
Lynn Whitfield is a Baton Rouge
native, the Emmy Award-Winning
Actress who’s been recognized for
her versatile roles and continues to
captivate audiences with her recent
projects and performances starring
in “The Josephine Baker Story”
and as Brandi Webb in “A Thin
Line Between Love and Hate” and
have appeared in several productions
of fellow Louisiana native Tyler
Perry “Madea Family Reunion”
and media mogul Oprah Winfrey
“Greenleaf.”
Whitfield joined the cast of
Showtime’s popular series “The
Award-winning actress Lynn Whitfield is a talented and legendary actress from Louisiana.
Who for decades have graced the television, film, and stage.
Chi” for its sixth season, where she
plays a significant recurring role
and says she’s most proud of her
career longevity in a recent interview
with the Associated Press.
Additionally, Whitfield was part
of the star-studded cast of the crime
thriller comedy “The Retirement
Plan (2023)” which is now available
for streaming on Amazon Prime
Video. The film features notable actors
such as Nicolas Cage, Ashley
Greene, and Ernie Hudson, adding
another impressive title to her extensive
catalog of amazing performances.
She’s had an amazing and impactful
career and continues to
represent the incredible talent
from Louisiana.
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June 1 - June 7, 2024
Newsmaker
www.ladatanews.com
Hurricane Season
Begins June 1
Data News Staff Edited
Report
NOAA (National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration)
has released its outlook for the
2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season,
predicting a particularly active
period. Forecasters anticipate between
17 and 25 named storms,
with 8 to 13 of these becoming
hurricanes and 4 to 7 reaching
major hurricane status (Category
3 or higher). This prediction surpasses
previous records, suggesting
the 2024 season could be one
of the most active on record. The
probability of an above-normal
season is set at 85%, largely due
to unusually warm Atlantic waters
and the expected transition to La
Niña conditions, which tend to enhance
hurricane activity​.
NOAA’s Accumulated Cyclone
Energy (ACE) index, which measures
the combined intensity and
duration of all storms, is projected
to be between 150% and 245% of
the median, further indicating a
hyperactive season​(NOAA Climate
Prediction Center)​. In addition
to the storm activity forecast,
NOAA is implementing several
new measures to improve hurricane
preparedness and response.
These include expanded Spanishlanguage
advisories, new forecast
models, and an enhanced forecast
cone graphic that will depict inland
threats more clearly​.
FEMA is also taking proactive
steps to prepare for the season,
emphasizing the importance of
community preparedness and resilience.
They are working closely
with NOAA to ensure timely and
effective communication of storm
threats and recovery efforts​.
For more detailed information,
visit NOAA’s Official Hurricane
Season outlook and preparedness
resources on their website.
Black and Gold
Saints 2024 Schedule Released
Fleur De Lis
Data News Weekly
Contributor
Recently, the New Orleans
Saints unveiled their schedule
for the 2024 NFL season. This
year the team has several highprofile
matchups and primetime
games. The Black and Gold
will open their season at home
on September 8th against the
Carolina Panthers. Notably, the
schedule includes games against
NFL Powerhouses from the previous
season, such as the Super
Bowl Champions Kansas City
Chiefs and NFC Rival Dallas
Cowboys, both within the first
six weeks of the season.
Also, the Saints will have both
challenging home and away
games. Key home games include
All Pro’s Alvin Kamara and Cam Jordan, lead the Saints into 2024 with hopes for an appearance in the Super
Bowl for the Black and Gold.
matchups against the Philadelphia
Eagles, Denver Broncos, and
Las Vegas Raiders, while significant
away games feature contests
against the Green Bay Packers,
New York Giants, and Los Angeles
Rams. And of course, their bitter
rivals the Atlanta Falcons.
The season’s schedule also features
five of their six NFC South
Division games within the first ten
weeks, which could be crucial for
their playoff hopes. They must win
these games if they aim to improve
upon their 9-8 record from the previous
season and end their threeyear
playoff drought.
Fans of the Black and Gold are
excited about the upcoming season
with pre-season beginning
August 10th and the regular season
starting on September 8th
against the Carolina Panthers,
at the Superdome. This season
promises to be a time for fans to
gather to support the Black and
Gold, where hopefully they can
play the ultimate home game
and appear in the Superbowl in
2025.
For the full schedule and more
details about the Black and Gold
fans can visit the official New Orleans
Saints website at www.neworleanssaints.com
ladatanews.com - The People’s Website

www.ladatanews.com June 1 - June 7, 2024
Biden Makes Historic Strides in
Diversifying Federal Judiciary
Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior
National Correspondent
President Joe Biden has set a
historic precedent by appointing
more non-White and female judges
to the Federal Judiciary than any
other president in U.S. history, a
significant achievement in his first
three and a half years in office. According
to a published analysis of
self-reported data from the Federal
Judicial Center, only 13 percent of
Biden’s Senate-confirmed judicial
appointments are White men.
“I’m particularly proud that these
judges reflect the diversity that is
our country’s strength, Biden said
in February following the confirmation
of his 175th judge.
As of mid-May, Biden remains
the only president to have appointed
more women than men
to the federal bench, with over
60 percent of his judges being
female. This surpasses the
previous record set by former
President Barack Obama, who
appointed 138 female judges
during his eight-year presidency.
Biden is on track to surpass this
figure as he nears the end of his
first term.
The Senate is set to confirm
more of Biden’s judicial nominees
this week, including Seth Aframe
of New Hampshire, who will serve
as a Circuit Court Judge on the
First Circuit. “This is a big deal,”
White House Deputy Communications
Director Herbie Ziskend asserted.
“These highly qualified individuals
have diverse professional
backgrounds: they’ve been labor
lawyers, civil rights lawyers, public
defenders, served in the U.S. military,
and more,” Ziskend continued,
noting that over 60 percent of women
and 60 percent of individuals of
color have been included in Biden’s
appointments. “These men and
women will rule on issues critical to
Fundamental Freedoms: Reproductive
Healthcare, the freedom to cast
ballots, whether workers have the
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National News
Biden outpaces Trump with 200 confirmed judges, cementing impact
on courts. Additionally, during the Biden-Harris Administration, the
nation has its first African American Supreme Court Justice Ketanji
Brown Jackson.
freedom to unionize, whether children
have the freedom to breathe
clean air and drink clean water,”
Ziskend declared.
Aframe’s confirmation will
mark the 198th judge confirmed
under Biden. “This week, the Senate
will confirm more of President
Biden’s outstanding judicial nominees
for lifetime appointments to
the federal bench, and we will hit
a major milestone along the way,”
Senate Majority Leader Charles
Schumer (D-N.Y.) stated. “Later,
the Senate will vote on the confirmation
of Aframe.”
Notably, Biden’s appointments
have generally garnered bipartisan
support. Many have received
voice votes, and some have the
support of moderate Republicans
like Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME)
and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK),
who backed a procedural vote on
Aframe’s nomination.
The racial and ethnic breakdown
of Biden’s judicial appointments
reveals a diverse slate: 36 percent
White, 27 percent Black, 16 percent
Hispanic, 14 percent Asian, 5 percent
multi-racial, 1 percent Native American,
and 1 percent Middle Eastern.
In contrast, 65 percent of Trump’s
judicial appointments were White
men. Biden has appointed 125 non-
White judges compared to Trump’s
37 and Obama’s 120.
As Biden aims to match Trump’s
record of 237 federal judicial appointments,
including three Supreme
Court justices, his administration
will require significant
Senate cooperation in the coming
months. The Supreme Court’s
decision to overturn Roe v. Wade
in 2022 was a prime example of
the conservative influence that
Trump’s administration and a Republican-controlled
Senate had on
the judiciary.
Reflecting on the importance
of judicial diversity, Schumer concluded,
“We are intensely focused
on filling the bench with jurists who
will make our democracy stronger
and uphold the rule of law.”
Page 7
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