Annual History Symposium explores the history of newspapers in Louisiana

Written By Alicia Vial

Symposium reception to celebrate the homecoming of the Dr. Louis Charles Roudanez papers

NEW ORLEANS — The Historic New Orleans Collection’s (THNOC) 28th annual History Symposium will explore how newspapers have evolved over the last two centuries, from the decades leading up to the Civil War to the present day. Above the Fold: The History of Newspapers in Louisiana will take place at THNOC’s campus on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Newspapers have played a complex, transformative role in Louisiana history,” says THNOC President and CEO Daniel Hammer. “This year’s Symposium will reach beyond these historical narratives to explore how newspapers have not only reported on but also actively shaped the Louisiana experience.”

Immediately following the History Symposium, THNOC will host a free reception for the public to celebrate the homecoming of the papers of Dr. Louis Charles Roudanez (1823-1890), the Creole physician and newspaperman who co-founded the South’s first Black newspaper, L’Union, in New Orleans in 1862. THNOC recently acquired Roudanez’s collection of essays and family papers and brought them home to Louisiana. These significant documents provide firsthand testimony of the early struggle for African American civil rights in the state, and they are now available to the local community at THNOC.

In the era surrounding the Civil War, newspapers were filled with essays promoting the opposing views and perspectives that precipitated the conflict. During this time, the state’s first Black newspapers, founded by New Orleans’s influential community of free people of color, gave rise to powerful voices from the foundational era of the civil rights struggle. Following the war, newspapers began to cover a broader range of topics and their influence expanded. This era saw the advent of crime coverage and editorial cartoons.

The counterculture tide of the 1960s gave rise to alternative newsweeklies like Figaro, which infused the New Orleans journalism landscape with inventive and occasionally audacious arts and culture coverage. Natural and man-made disasters and the rise of digital media in the 21st century have posed new challenges for the industry.

The vibrant slate of speakers includes moderator Terry Baquet, editor-in-chief of Verite News, Dr. Sharon Roberts, associate professor of mass communication and faculty member in African American and diaspora studies at Xavier University in New Orleans, Mark Charles Roudané, great-grandson of Dr. Roudanez, Jaric C. Honora, family historian at THNOC, Dr. Michael Ross, professor of history at the University of Maryland at College Park, Michael Tisserand, former editor of Gambit Weekly, Alison Fensterstock, cultural reporter, Dr. Andrea Miller, professor and dean at the Mayborn School of Journalism at the University of Texas, David Hammer, award-winning investigative reporter at WWL-TV, Dr. Vicki Mayer, professor of communication at Tulane University, and Gordon Russell, Managing Editor/Investigations, the Times-Picayune / New Orleans Advocate.

Support for the 2024 History Symposium is provided by ClearBridge Investments, Bywater Woodworks Inc., Villere & Co., Victor D. Ziminsky III and The Times-Picayune/NOLA.com.

Public registration opens Monday, Jan. 22. The cost to attend is a suggested $75 with a minimum donation of $25. To learn more or to register visit hnoc.org/symposium2024.

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About The Historic New Orleans Collection
Founded in 1966, The Historic New Orleans Collection is a museum, research center and publisher dedicated to the stewardship of the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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