Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Where are you from? I am from Edgard, LA.

Tell us a little bit about yourself: Born and raised in Edgard, I am a 2005 graduate of West St. John High, and a 2009 graduate of Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss. I am married to Antrell Anderson, formerly of New Orleans, and together we have one daughter, Amariss Anderson. Although I am from Edgard, I currently reside in LaPlace. I am the son of Judge Madeline Jasmine-Bourgeois and Eric Bourgeois; and Pastor Wesley

Anderson Jr. and Ruth Anderson. I am the founder and executive director of Thoughts Before Actions, Youth Pastor of New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Edgard, current physical education teacher at West St. John High, and owner of Salon Idyll in LaPlace, along with my wife. I am also a member of the West St. John Civic Association and a youth mentor to many.

Who are some black role models you look up to, and why? I can never speak about black role models without starting with my mother. Judge Jasmine was the first African American assistant District Attorney, and also became the first African American judge in the River Parishes. I feel very blessed to be born to such a person. On a larger scale, I have always looked up to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Just as he did, I believe the when a situation shows itself, you should not run from it. I believe you should stand up for what you believe is right, but you can do so in a peaceful manner. This world throws obstacles at you on a daily basis, but with God as your guide, you can always find a method of handling it the way Jesus would.

What does Black History Month mean to you? Black History Month has always been important to me. My whole life I was educated on the sacrifices that were made in order for me to have some of the privileges I have today. Although there are still injustices today, there are far less than there once was, and I am forever grateful for the extraordinary individuals that sacrificed so much. Just thinking back to the hardships they encountered reminds me to not take life and opportunities for granted. These days I see too many young people taking for granted the obstacles these people faced, and it seems as if it is becoming unimportant to the younger generation. Although I do celebrate Black History Month, I believe that every day is black history, and I celebrate every time another obstacle is defeated.

Why is it important to encourage diversity? I believe that it’s important to encourage diversity because that’s the way God intended it to be. God created us all unique for a reason. Everyone is gifted for something, and the only way we can accomplish greatness is to use our gifts together. Everything should not be so divided as it still is today, but we all can see in many instances that it is. God created people to live in unity. All people, not just the people of your race. I was always taught to see people as people, not a color. If we all started to see people for the person that God created them to be, I believe there would be more peace on this earth. Society teaches us the divide, but God intended us to live this life together. If God wanted everyone to be the same, He had the power to make it happen. The fact that he chose to make us different is proof enough that he believed in diversity. If God is for diversity, so am I.

What changes would you like to see in the local community?

The main thing I would like to see in the local community is more opportunities for the youth to thrive. When I was growing up in this parish, we didn’t have much, but we had more opportunities than there are today. In my line of work I’ve realized that many of the youth are bored. I’m not saying that I have the answer, but more focus needs to be put on the youth. The youth are the future, we must show them that we are making them a priority. There are so many negative opportunities presenting themselves because there is a lack of positive ones. I believe if we make our youth a priority the results will show with less crime and negative behaviors.