Thank you for reading my stories this past two years. Feb. 16 is my last day with Charlottesville Tomorrow as its education reporter. I will be joining The Baltimore Sun’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team starting Feb. 22.
Author Archives: Billy Jean Louis
Billy Jean Louis joined Charlottesville Tomorrow as its education reporter in April 2019 and is a graduate of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Jean Louis speaks English, Haitian Creole and French.
Posted inHealth and safety, How we learn
Officials: Local schools can offer in-person learning without all staff being vaccinated for COVID-19
Related Articles: County Board votes to allow children of all grade levels to attend school in-person The pandemic has taken a toll on children and teens. What can be done? Black-led nonprofit serving at-risk youth pivots to new model during pandemic Public schools in Charlottesville and Albemarle County can reopen in-person without vaccinating all their […]
Posted inHow we learn, Soundboard
Soundboard: The kids are isolated
Related Article: The pandemic has taken a toll on children and teens. What can be done? The kids are isolated Credit: WTJU Most local students have not been to school in person in almost a year. We talk to Billy Jean Louis about the mental health impact of virtual learning. Stay tuned for the second […]
Posted inHealth and safety, How we learn
County Board votes to allow children of all grade levels to attend school in-person
Related Articles: The pandemic has taken a toll on children and teens. What can be done? Albemarle County schools move learning online only while still allowing children to play winter sports In rural Albemarle County, mother of four worries how children would complete work as division suddenly moves learning online The Albemarle County Schools Board […]
Posted inHealth and safety, How we learn
The pandemic has taken a toll on children and teens. What can be done?
Related Articles: Region Ten to launch online services for children Black-led nonprofit serving at-risk youth pivots to new model during pandemic Black Charlottesville could get mental health center thanks to UVA Equity Center fellow There has been a significant uptick in the number of parents seeking mental health services for their children and adolescents, specifically […]
Posted inHealth and safety, How we learn
Black newborns die at a higher rate than white newborns. A UVA fellow aims to shine a light on the disparity.
Related Articles: Local group gives LGBTQ, BIPOC communities and allies inclusive recovery space Black-led nonprofit serving at-risk youth pivots to new model during pandemic Black Charlottesville could get mental health center thanks to UVA Equity Center fellow After learning about challenges that Serena Williams and Beyoncé faced when they almost were denied proper care while […]
Posted inHealth and safety
Local group gives LGBTQ, BIPOC communities and allies inclusive recovery space
A Charlottesville-based group focused on creating a safe place for the LGBTQ community, Black and Indigenous people, people of color and allies has been growing. But the group, Diversity in Recovery, wants to grow even more and possibly become a nonprofit organization. Originally launched with just three members hosting Zoom meetings in the aftermath of […]
Posted inHow we learn
Black Charlottesville could get mental health center thanks to UVA Equity Center fellow
Related Articles: Black-led nonprofit serving at-risk youth pivots to new model during pandemic Racism in healthcare: Is building trust amid COVID-19 vaccine rollout attainable for Black Charlottesville? Racism and Trauma: How daily stress impacts the health of Black communities The nationwide social unrest in the wake of Black lives lost at the hands of police, […]
Posted inHow we learn
Albemarle County schools move learning online only while still allowing children to play winter sports
While instruction will be moving online for Albemarle County children, the School Board on Thursday voted 6-1 to allow students to play winter sports and take part in extracurricular activities, including band. ACPS will move entirely virtual on Tuesday, and that situation will continue until at least Feb. 1 due to the rise of COVID-19 […]
Posted inHow we learn
Black-led nonprofit serving at-risk youth pivots to new model during pandemic
Early last year, Rob Gray and Derek Rush launched the Conscious Capitalist Group to serve opportunity youth, or those who aren’t on track to attend a four-year college or university. Formerly housed at the Boys & Girls Club on Cherry Avenue and the Blue Ridge Youth Detention Center in Albemarle County, the group offered children […]
