Community

A high school student shows up at her community center for homework help and a few years later she's an advocate for reforming her community's public schools. That's just the latest chapter for a nonprofit tapping the potential of young leaders in New Orleans East.

How do you like that white chocolate?

According to units sold, America apparently loves it. White soul man Justin Timberlake sold approximately a million copies of his new album The 20/20 Experience in its first week — his highest first week gains to date. His totals are outpacing his black contemporaries.

The number of homeless people in Orleans and Jefferson parishes has dropped 79 percent since 2007.  A non-profit dedicated to getting those numbers even lower credits a coordinated effort for the success.

The national nonprofit Up2Us recently expanded to New Orleans, bringing more youth sports coaches and a mentoring program that gives students a boost that can extend far from the court or playing field.