Rev. Freddie Lee Phillips' Year
Long
Efforts to Obtain an Ethnicity Breakdown of Louisiana
Interior Designer Licensees
FEBRUARY 27, 2014
Jindal's IDB Members,
especially Karen Hazel (wife of
Louisiana State Rep. Chris Hazel) and Marion Johnston, Lambast Rev. Freddie Lee
Phillips regarding his year-long effort to obtain an
ethnicity breakdown of IDB practitioners.
At least Member Jo Ann Hymel had the class to relay that
only two (2) African American interior designers practice in Louisiana:
Ophelia Moore-Coates
(daughter of the late Thomas Moore
who, like Rev. Phillips, was also a Minister) and
Ty Larkins.
IDB Vice Chair, Dr. T. L. Ritchie,
however, is quick to point out that
neither
Ms. Moore-Coates nor Mr. Larkins is licensed. Hence,
there are NO licensed African American interior designers in
Louisiana!
First 1:40
of video is Robert Burns asking on behalf of Rev. Phillips if the 2014
license renewals will seek voluntary disclosure of ethnicity information.
Acting Chair Dr. T. L. Ritchie said she felt she'd relayed previously
that the vast majority of are female but that she didn't specify a race.
Burns stated that he'd felt certain that she'd used the word "Caucasian."
14-second clip from
6/20/13 meeting of Dr. Ritchie's statement.
2:26: Rev. Phillips
makes inquiry regarding obtaining ethnicity breakdown. 3:07:
Executive Director Sandy Edmonds: "IDB doesn't maintain
records in that fashion." 3:23: Board Member Karen
Hazel: "Why do you want that information?" Note:
Hazel is wife of
LA State Rep. Chris Hazel. Note: Hazel's inquiry reminded
Burns of this anonymous phone
call. Note:
Phone called received the DAY after this editorial
was published in The Advocate.
Rev. Phillips politely
and meekly seeks clarification at the IDB Meeting the IDB's
decision to retain EBRP Deputy Ronald Landry for IDB Meetings
immediately after Rev. Phillips began attending the meetings.