Advocate staff photo by Travis SpradlingMentorship Academy student Aisha Ransom, 14, left, shakes hands Wednesday with U.S. District Judge Judge Frank J. Polozola after the African-American Heritage Program at the federal courthouse. In the background, Mentorship Academy students, from left, Shareyell Hatton, 16, Carrie Kirk, 14, and Daralyn Fulton, 14, talk with featured speaker Saundra Yancy McGuire and U.S. District Judge James J. Brady, far right. Story, Page 4B

Advocate staff photo by Travis SpradlingMcKinley High School Army JROTC Color Guard members, right to left, Jesse Crawford, 18, Treslyn Wilson, 17, Darletha White, 18, and Tavondra Norman, 17, as followed by Col (Ret.) James F. Bowie, Senior Army Instructor at McKinley, as they retire the colors at the 17th Annual African-American Heritage Program.

Advocate staff photo by Travis SpradlingSaundra Yancy McGuire, PhD., shakes hands with U.S. Attorney Don Cazayoux., Jr. before the program. At far left is her husband, Stephen McGuire, PhD., and at center is Assistant U.S. Attorney Helina Dayries.

Advocate staff photo by Travis SpradlingSaundra Yancy McGuire, PhD., speaks.

Advocate staff photo by Travis SpradlingEast Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore, III, left, shakes hands with J.W. Vaughn, and behind them, U.S. Attorney Don Cazayoux, Jr., left, shakes hands with Earl Taylor, before the start of the program.

Advocate staff photo by Travis SpradlingSaundra Yancy McGuire, PhD., speaks at the 17th Annual African-American Heritage Program at Russell B. Long Federal Building and United States Courthouse. She is Professor of Chemistry and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Learning, Teaching and Retention at LSU.

Advocate staff photo by Travis SpradlingU.S. District Judge Frank J. Polozola, left, Chief U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson, center, and and U.S. District Judge James J. Brady, right, applaud at the conclusion of remarks by keynote speaker Saundra Yancy McGuire, PhD.

Advocate staff photo by Travis SpradlingLeroy Pero of Baker plays a musical selection.