We're thrilled to share that the story of the 431 Exchange and the remarkable women who helped desegregate the workplace in New Orleans is now reaching audiences across America! Originally reported by FOX8's Thanh Truong during our Connection, Community & Care celebration in May, the feature premiered nationally on November 6 on InvestigateTV+, Gray Media's nationally syndicated newsmagazine. The program airs in more than 100 television markets nationwide, with distribution reaching nearly half of the U.S. television market.
InvestigateTV+ is known for its award-winning investigative journalism, compelling human-interest stories, and solutions-oriented reporting. The program is hosted by two distinguished journalists with deep Louisiana roots: Lee Zurik, a two-time Peabody Award winner and recipient of numerous national Edward R. Murrow and duPont-Columbia awards, and Tisha Powell, an Emmy and Edward R. Murrow Award-winning broadcaster. Their program brings national attention to stories that inform, inspire, and demonstrate how people and communities can make a difference.
Thanh's moving four-minute feature introduces viewers to Adult Education Center graduate Raphael Morgan, whose journey from limited educational opportunities to a successful career as a teacher illustrates the enduring impact of the school. The story also celebrates the legacy of Father Timothy Gibbons, Alice Geoffray, and the 431 graduates who helped break racial barriers in the workplace. Just as importantly, it connects their achievements to the work of the 431 Exchange today—our scholarships, our commitment to educational opportunity, and our forthcoming PBS documentary, Exchange Place. We're delighted that these extraordinary women and their largely untold contributions to civil rights history are receiving the national recognition they deserve.