Skip to content

Read Our 2025 Impact Report

Focused On

  • Justice
  • Opinion
  • ICE in Orleans
  • In the N.O.
  • Lens Carnival Edition

Main Navigation

The Lens
  • Subscribe
  • ❤ Donate
The Lens
  • Subscribe
  • ❤ Donate

Focused On

  • Justice
  • Opinion
  • ICE in Orleans
  • In the N.O.
  • Lens Carnival Edition

Topics

  • Criminal Justice
  • Environment
  • Government & Politics
  • Land Use
  • Schools

Sign Up for the Latest News

  • The Lens Newsletter
  • About The Lens
  • Our Staff

Follow The Lens

  • Bluesky
  • Instagram
  • Facebook

Listen to Behind The Lens Podcast

  • Spotify
  • Environment
  • Criminal Justice
  • ICE enforcement
  • Opinion
  • Schools
  • In the N.O.
  • Podcast
  • Lens Carnival Edition
  • About The Lens
  • Support Us

Author: Kelly Dorsey Parker

Hoping to distract displaced Katrina children with cameras, she ended up launching a nonprofit

August 27, 2025 Updated October 28, 2025
On Friday evening, The Contemporary Arts Center will kick off an exhibit for Danette Vincent’s Katrina Camera Kids, who picked up cameras for the first time after the storm and ended up capturing important moments in their lives.

Civil Rights Icon in a Gown

February 12, 2024 Updated April 30, 2024
In 1966, Karen Becnel made civil-rights history, as the first Black Carnival queen to be presented at Municipal Auditorium – a place where her grandfather had helped to dress the kings of the traditional old-line krewes like Rex and Comus.

About The Lens

The Lens fights to reveal and report on issues that impact the community and the region.

Staunchly defending the public's right to know, we are deeply committed to sharing our knowledge with the community at large. We center human impact in all our work.

Our reporting has more urgency than ever.

Sign up to get the latest news on New Orleans and the Gulf South sent directly to your inbox.

 
 

Support The Lens

We depend on your support. A generous gift in any amount helps us continue to bring you this service.

Donate Now

Most Popular

Veto of Louisiana bill leaves exonerees facing payment capsVeto of Louisiana bill leaves exonerees facing payment capsJuly 13, 2026Bernard SmithCriminal Justice
A New Orleans Katrina kid takes the head office at Warren EastonA New Orleans Katrina kid takes the head office at Warren EastonJuly 7, 2026Vivi SmilgiusNews
Baton Rouge Immigration Court opens to public— and denies it was ever closedBaton Rouge Immigration Court opens to public— and denies it was ever closedJuly 10, 2026Delaney Nolan and Katy ReckdahlICE enforcement

The Lens
The Lens fights to reveal and report on issues that impact the community and the region. Staunchly defending the public's right to know and deeply committed to sharing our knowledge with the community at large. We center human impact in all our work.
  • Bluesky
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • About The Lens
  • Our Staff
  • Employment
  • Contact us
  • Corrections
  • Support The Lens
  • Get The Lens Newsletter
Candid Platinum INN Member LION Member
© 2024 The Lens. All Rights Reserved.

Our reporting has more urgency than ever.


For more than a decade, we have reported on issues as well as public policy meant to address the needs of residents. The Lens seeks to focus on the inherent inequality that has created a multi-tiered system. We, at The Lens seek to uncover, illuminate, inform and take part in a forward-looking community. Join us.

 
 

Continue to The Lens