"Lone Star State of Mind: Snapshots of Texas Today," kicked off at Texas Southern University, where acclaimed photographer Tyler Mitchell and stylist Carlos Nazario spent time capturing the iconic Ocean of Soul Marching Band. The feature highlights the energy, precision, and cultural impact of HBCU band tradition as part of a larger visual journey celebrating Texas through fashion, music, and community. The editorial appears in Vogue's Summer 2026 issue, with a companion documentary set to premiere on Vogue's YouTube. Vogue: u/voguemagazine Photographed by: Tyler Mitchell | u/tylersphotos Styled by: Carlos Nazario | u/mr_carlos_nazario Editorial Content: Chloe Malle | u/chloemalle Creative Director: Raul Martinez | u/raulmartinez1024 Casting Director: Morgan Senesi | u/morgansenesi Visuals Director: Paige Viti | u/pkv15 Sr. Visuals Editor: Kat Costigan | u/kathryn_costigan Hair: Lucas Wilson | u/lucas.a.wilson Makeup: Michaela Bosch | u/michaelabosch Tailor: Happiness Akinola | u/afunshephartion Produced by: Day Int. | u/dayinternational Casting, Local Talent: Lilac Perez

Most folks I know seem to not understand the philosophical layer, or they were more so into the action and spectacle, rather than the story.

I’ve had conversations where folks say The Matrix was hard to follow, so they never even attempted to watch the sequels. Others did watch them and enjoyed the action and visuals but felt lost due to the storytelling and logic behind it.

So, for me, when they ask, I point out the fact that. The Matrix is a System (Because Morpheus lol), and every major character has a role within that system. whether it be control, resistance, prediction, chaos or negotiation. My easy go to is to Get them to think of the Matrix like a computer infected malware. That's when they start to be like "Oh, Alight I see" But they still don't fully grasp it. I also tell them to Pay attention to the signs/symbols and words that show up on the screen because they matter. So, when they revisit the films, they begin to realize that it's not as confusing.

I try to get folks to understand that the movies aren't just action packed with a lot of jargon. and they're basically Philosophical films but it's not only expressed through action.

Some people don't wanna go into a film and piece together a puzzle though. they just to be entertained, and I get that.

Considering the source (NY Post), I don’t agree with the claim as stated.
The reality is, within Black communities, the reasons for voting are varied. There has never been a single issue that would cause Black voters to collectively decide to stop voting altogether.

If anything, not voting would only ever function as a deliberate, coordinated message, and even then, it doesn’t really make sense, because voting itself already is the message. Participation is the signal.

I think the NY Post may have misinterpreted what was said, but that’s the framing I first came across.

The way I see it, the Black vote isn’t absolute. People vote based on personal interests and values whether they’re liberal, conservative, or somewhere in between.

I Understand that many franchises were cut/consolidated, but I hope that in the future, some of these brands are picked up once again.

I was able to purchase a Breakers visor, but I didn't really like the plain Jersey design that was being sold. but I'd love Merch!

As part of Emergency Preparedness Week from May 3–9, 2026, residents across New Orleans are encouraged to take simple, practical steps to be better prepared for emergencies such as hurricanes, flooding, severe storms, extreme heat, and power outages.

“Emergencies can happen fast in this city, and preparation before the season starts can make a real difference. Preparedness is a shared responsibility, and small actions today can protect lives tomorrow.”

Be ready for emergencies with these four steps during Emergency Preparedness Week:

Stay Connected and Informed

Preparedness starts with reliable information. The City of New Orleans Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP) encourages all residents, workers, and visitors to sign up for NOLA Ready Alerts, the city’s official emergency notification system.

NOLA Ready provides trusted real-time alerts about evacuations, tropical weather, street flooding, boil water advisories, and other emergencies directly to your phone, email, or mobile device.

Visit ready.nola.gov to subscribe and update your preferences.

Build Community Connections

Emergencies are easier to manage when neighbors check on one another. Take time to connect with family, friends, neighbors, church groups, and community organizations about how you can support each other during a storm or evacuation.

Check in especially on:

• Seniors
• People with disabilities
• Households without transportation
• Families with young children
• Anyone living alone

In New Orleans, community is one of the strongest resources there is.

Make a Plan to Leave at a Moment’s Notice

Know how you would leave quickly if a mandatory evacuation is issued. Plan multiple evacuation routes and know whether you will use your own vehicle, public transit, or city-assisted evacuation options.

Prepare a grab-and-go kit with:

• Medications
• Insurance papers and ID
• Chargers
• Cash
• Clothing
• Water and snacks
• Pet food and supplies
• Flashlights and batteries

Residents who may need transportation assistance should monitor NOLA Ready for City-Assisted Evacuation information during storm threats.

Create a Household Emergency Plan

Take the step now to make a written plan for your household. Include:

• Emergency contacts
• Meeting locations
• Evacuation destinations
• Pet arrangements
• Medical needs
• Important documents storage

Store digital copies of key records in cloud storage or secure email access.

Preparedness Builds Resilience

Emergency Preparedness Week is about taking small steps that build stronger households, neighborhoods, and communities. By staying informed, making a plan, and helping one another, New Orleans residents can be better prepared for whatever comes next.

Local Resources

• NOLA Ready: ready.nola.gov
• Text NOLAREADY to 77295 for alerts
• Entergy Outages: entergy.com/outage
• Sewerage & Water Board: swbno.org
• Louisiana GOHSEP: getagameplan.org
• National Hurricane Center: hurricanes.gov

In New Orleans, storm season rewards the prepared.

Hey everyone. I’m u/Steelmode, the founding moderator.

This is r/504. A space carved out of New Orleans, for New Orleans.

This is not a postcard version of New Orleans. It’s the one that carries joy and pressure in the same breath.

We hold value in the New Orleans subs. Each has its lane. r/504 exists for what spills beyond those lanes. For what needs room to breathe. For what doesn’t fit neatly but still matters.

Here, conversations go deeper. Culture gets studied from the inside. Stories don’t get trimmed down to make them comfortable.

The wiki holds preparedness resources for storms and flooding, along with food support guidance and even some well known social media pages worth following. The sidebar carries local radio and signals from the city’s own frequency. Not everything is centralized here. Some of it is meant to be explored.

This is a place for locals, and for those who approach the city with respect rather than assumption. You’ll find pride here. You’ll find tension here. You’ll find humor that only makes sense if you’ve lived through the humidity and the aftermath of it.

Talk about what you love. Talk about what you question. Keep it rooted in the city, not above it.

We are not explaining New Orleans to the world. We are speaking from inside it.

And if you listen long enough, the city answers back.

Welcome. The streets already know you’re here.