Paul Beaulieu, journalist and community leader, dies

Paul Beaulieu, a fearless member of the Black Press and a community leader who targeted social injustice, passed away Tuesday at the age of 75.

Beaulieu, an outspoken critic of public graft, nepotism and ineptitude, was a longtime co-host of the public-access television show “Between the Lines” as well as a co-host of the popular WBOK radio talk show, “Showtime in the Afternoon.”

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On both shows, Beaulieu talked often about issues like police brutality, unconstitutional policing, economic injustice, voter suppression, the failure of Black elected officials to represent those who put them in office and the importance of supporting Black businesses.

Beaulieu, a product of New Orleans’ 13th Ward and a proud graduate of St. Augustine High School, first made his mark as an opinion writer for the States-Item. Later he turned to broadcasting, first as host of the WVUE program “Dimensions” and then on the local cable-access talk show “Between the Lines.” He more recently served as a host and the general manager for WBOK-AM, the city’s Black-owned radio station, where he was a powerful voice in speaking truth to power during the critical early period of the city’s recovery from Hurricane Katrina.

The New Orleans City Council honored Beaulieu with a proclamation upon his retirement from WBOK in 2015.

“Today New Orleans lost one of her true legendary sons, Paul Beaulieu,” New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said Tuesday. “He was a community leader who spoke with strength and conviction for those who couldn’t.”

“He worked with the Urban League against injustice. He challenged the religion they taught to him but they disgraced. He was so authentic he had to be in TREME on TV, while he was a radio legend. Paul Beaulieu, RIP,” New Orleans native and actor Wendell Pierce said in an online post.

“Our hearts are saddened by the loss of our dear friend, colleague, mentor and former general manager Paul Beaulieu,” WBOK general manager Susan Henry said Thursday. “With a voice that can best be described as irreplaceable, Paul set the tone for this station with his commitment to speaking truth to the ‘big people’ in this city. He not only advocated for Black people and their issues, but his support and belief set the trajectory of many legendary Black journalists in New Orleans who were and continue to be committed to doing the same. As a testament to that legacy, we as a station rededicate ourselves to boldly reporting on the issues that affect the people who Paul cared about and a commitment to Real Talk For Real Times.”

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday, July 31, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, 7300 Crowder Blvd. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m.

Interment will take place at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 4000 Norman Mayer Avenue. Charbonnet-Labat-Labat Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

This article originally published in the July 30, 2018 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.