Behind The Lens episode 259: Opinion: ‘The education situation’

In a special episode, Adrinda Kelly, the founding Executive Director of Black Education for New Orleans (BE NOLA), whose mission is to support Black educators and Black-led schools, reflects on two decades of changes in New Orleans education.
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This week on Behind The Lens, the educational landscape in New Orleans has some advocates touting the all-charter system as a model for the nation. But the leader of a local non-profit Black Education for New Orleans, or BE NOLA, writes in an op-ed, that the story is much more complicated.

Special guest Adrinda Kelly, the founding Executive Director of Black Education for New Orleans (BE NOLA), whose mission is to support Black educators and Black-led schools, sits down with Behind The Lens host Carolyne Heldman.

Kelly chronicles the history of the rise of charter schools in New Orleans. The groundwork for such a change was laid well before Hurricane Katrina hit the city, thought, she argues, the storm accelerated the transition.

Theme music by Podington Bear. Additional music Dimmy and Better Now by Podington Bear soundofpicture.com. 

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Carolyne Heldman

Carolyne Heldman has been in media for 35 years, most recently as Executive Director at an NPR member station in Colorado where she was responsible for new multi-platform content initiatives, strategic planning, research, branding, and non-traditional revenue generation. During her tenure she also created and launched four weekly news, public affairs and cultural affairs programs and monthly live Town Hall broadcasts. Heldman moved to New Orleans last summer with her husband and canine companion and they live happily in The Marigny.