LSU has an African American president. His appointment was historic and significant. He is a mold breaker. In a conservative state in the deep south, his selection was cause for celebration nationally. Many called the 2019 undefeated football national championship the greatest moment in LSU history. But the appointment of William Tate as the first African American president is much more significant and impactful on the state of Louisiana and the country.
A little context is in order. In a country that still celebrates or recognizes firsts, Dr. Tate’s appointment is one of those first ever moments. Universities have long attempted to diversify their leadership. The college presidency is especially laggard. In fact while less than 13% of leadership positions are filled by people of color, presidents of color are less than 10% when you remove HBCU presidents. And for years groups formed to address this gap. Only recently have some gains been made.
The importance of his appointment impacts all college students. Diversity of thought, respect for other’s perspectives and a general sense of worthiness are enmeshed in the hire of Dr. Tate. Simultaneously, the number of African Americans entering colleges and universities has risen every year over the past 7 years. Appointments like Dr. Tate’s inspire a whole new generation of college students. Many of them are first in their families to enter a four-year university.
Our colleges and universities are supposed to be arenas where ideas flow freely and relatively uninhibited. Dr. Tate is fishing with a wide net. He wants the best and brightest our state and region has to offer.
Progressive Board of Supervisors
LSU Board of Supervisors members James Williams and Jimmie Woods invited members of the media to a luncheon at the historic Dooky Chase restaurant. After brief introductions, Dr. Tate enjoyed a plate of the best fried chicken in New Orleans and talked openly.
“LSU is the greatest resource in the state,” said Dr. Tate. “We need to attract the top talent and wrap our arms around them once they get on campus. We want everybody that steps on our campus to get the best it has to offer. And most of all, we want them to excel and graduate.”
Related: Black babies need Black doctors
LSU is the flagship university in Louisiana. More resources are poured into the school than any other. And Louisianans love to cheer for the LSU athletic teams. But the research and development teams on campus lead the nation. LSU leads on researching the effects of climate change. LSU is developing technology to protect our coast. And LSU also offers some of the best post graduate schools. Med school, law school, nursing. Social work. More of our people have the opportunity to create great lives. Only a small number can ever play sports at LSU. Even fewer will go pro. But tens of thousands more can become professionals in other arenas.
LSU has an African American President
Providing a safe and challenging environment where our young people can learn and grow is essential. Every year the Louisiana Legislature adequately funds our flagship university. In Louisiana, over 30% of the population is African American. So, African American tax dollars contribute mightily to the LSU budget. . Our community must take advantage of the state’s greatest resource. Dr. Tate is proof we can do it!
Jeff Thomas
Publisher • Opinion Columnist • Licensed General Contractor • Real Estate Appraiser • New Orleans
Jeff Thomas is the publisher of Black Source Media and one of New Orleans’ most direct voices on civic affairs, economic justice, and Louisiana politics. He writes from the intersection of experience and accountability — as a licensed general contractor,a tech company founder and executive with over 30 years experience, and a businessman who has worked across the city’s civic, media, and construction ecosystems for decades.
His Sunday column covers Louisiana legislative politics, insurance discrimination, housing policy, and the forces shaping Black community life in New Orleans and across the state. Thomas writes in the tradition of Black journalists who hold power accountable without apology — building arguments from data, delivering verdicts from evidence, and speaking to Black New Orleans with the directness the moment demands.
He is also the principal of EA Inspection Services, LLC, a government inspection services company. Black Source Media is his platform for the civic conversation New Orleans has needed and too rarely had.
Selected Articles by Jeff Thomas
Black Neighborhoods Pay the Highest Insurance Rates in Louisiana. Here’s What They Don’t Want You to Know.
They Didn’t Yell the N-Word. They Went to Law School, Bided Their Time, and Rewrote the Constitution Instead.
Vappie vs. Morrell: Why Does Justice Look Different in New Orleans?
The State Has the Money. New Orleans East Just Needs Them to Use It.
The Failure of Mitch Landrieu
Publisher — Black Source Media
Jeff Thomas
Publisher • Opinion Columnist • Licensed General Contractor • Real Estate Appraiser • New Orleans
Jeff Thomas is the publisher of Black Source Media and one of New Orleans’ most direct voices on civic affairs, economic justice, and Louisiana politics. He writes from the intersection of experience and accountability — as a licensed general contractor,a tech company founder and executive with over 30 years experience, and a businessman who has worked across the city’s civic, media, and construction ecosystems for decades.
His Sunday column covers Louisiana legislative politics, insurance discrimination, housing policy, and the forces shaping Black community life in New Orleans and across the state. Thomas writes in the tradition of Black journalists who hold power accountable without apology — building arguments from data, delivering verdicts from evidence, and speaking to Black New Orleans with the directness the moment demands.
He is also the principal of EA Inspection Services, LLC, a government inspection services company. Black Source Media is his platform for the civic conversation New Orleans has needed and too rarely had.
Selected Articles by Jeff Thomas
Black Neighborhoods Pay the Highest Insurance Rates in Louisiana. Here’s What They Don’t Want You to Know.
They Didn’t Yell the N-Word. They Went to Law School, Bided Their Time, and Rewrote the Constitution Instead.
Vappie vs. Morrell: Why Does Justice Look Different in New Orleans?
The State Has the Money. New Orleans East Just Needs Them to Use It.
The Failure of Mitch Landrieu
Thanks Jeff. I didn’t know about him. This is great for Louisiana
This is great news! I did not know either.