Junior Samantha White is a co-host of the recently launched teen talk show, What’s Going On? The first segment aired September 12 on WUPL 54/Cox Channel 2. Samantha prepared for her co-host role by researching information about each guest. “Learning more about who would be on the episodes was the first step to preparing myself,” she shared. She also watched talk shows and practiced her delivery with various questions and answers pertaining to each episode.

The first shows’ guest was New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. Samantha, who is the chaplain of Students for Human Dignity and Diversity in Action club at Dominican, asked the mayor how she had been handling the stress of pandemic while serving in office. The mayor replied that meditation and reflection help, and that prayer is most important. The mayor, recounted Samantha, “said she goes to her altar and gives all her stress and brokenness to God.”

What’s Going On was launched by Anthony Bean. He founded Anthony Bean Community Theater (ABCT) more than two decades ago, using the arts as a way to engage the community in pursuing excellence in the arts as well as in life. He hopes the show will have a positive impact on the community.

“I feel like a changemaker because I am part of such a groundbreaking show,” shared Samantha. “I, as well as all the other people who are part of the show, added something special to each episode. I learned more about those who have made a difference in our community and how I can contribute as well.”