It’s been a long time coming but it’s here! Grambling’s own community newspaper! With over 4,000 residents in the town and another 5,000 at the University, Grambling (and surrounding areas like Simsboro and Gibsland), has long been in need of a communications vehicle that services its residents and provides them a platform through which they can speak.

Our reason for putting together this paper is simple… to connect the community.  As most folks from Grambling already know, Grambling has an incredible and rich history.  From its formation in the 1800’s by freed slaves looking for a place to call their own with a fierce determination to build economic and political independence, to being the birthplace of the first HBCU in Louisiana to being home to the legendary Coach Eddie Robinson, the winningest coach in collegiate football history and who put more players in the NFL than any other collegiate football coach in history!  And, now, to be the first HBCU in the US to open a digital library!  Yes, Grambling has a lot to be proud of.  However, as the staff members of the Grambling Connection have observed, and as others in the community have been saying for some time, what is missing is a communication device through which the community receives timely and accurate information about what goes on in the community relevant to them and a way to have their voices heard.

That is our mission.  We want to provide the residents of the community with a way of knowing what is going on in the community, from City Hall Meetings to water supply issues to citizens who are doing noteworthy things.  We want to give local businesses an inexpensive way to reach new potential customers in the community, instead of just relying on word of mouth.

Here we cover Community News, Church Bulletins, Recipes from the Community, Health & Wellness, Sports & Entertainment, a Business Card Directory and much more!

The newspaper is free to the community. Our distribution centers are throughout the area at local stores, gas stations, liquor stores, hair salons, restaurants and on campus. (See List of Distribution Centers) We also offer paid mail-out subscriptions and subscriptions for online delivery to email inboxes.

We are currently bi-weekly (every other Friday) but plan to go weekly by March 2025.

We are excited to bring this paper to the community but we need the community’s help in keeping it going. We are relying on residents to bring us newsworthy items and stories they want to see covered. We also want to hear from small businesses in the area who want to get the word out to the community that they’re here!  

Thank you for dropping by and we hope you enjoy what we have to offer.

And lastly, we know people want to be heard so we want the community to be able to share their opinions and feedback regarding local and/or national issues that affect them.  Remember, this is a “community” paper and we want the community involved so let us hear from you!

Thank you for your support!

The Grambling Connection Team

Our Staff

Lena Claybon

Lena is a Grambling native and attended Grambling State University. While there, she majored in Journalism, and then went on to build a 20+ year career as a Writer/Producer in the entertainment industry. She has written and produced over 200 hours of television working with companies such as Twentieth Television, Saban Entertainment, BET, Paramount Television, Blue Rider Pictures and Brainbox Entertainment. Her series work has included USA Network’s Claude’s Crib, teen hit show Moesha, TLC’s, The Real Estate Pros, nationally syndicated court shows, Texas Justice and Judge Karen’s Court. She also worked on the first season of BET’s College Hill: Celebrity Edition.
In addition to television, she co-wrote two musical hit stage plays, CHEATERS starring singing sensation, Brian McKnight, and CASINO starring soulful songtress, Kelly Price.
In 2012, she was invited back to her Alma Mater, Grambling State University, as a “Visiting Artist” to teach Film Studies. While there, she created GSU’s first Film Workforce Training Program where she brought in professionals from the film industry to work with students on a professional film production. The program was a resounding success and several of the students that went through the program went on to work in the entertainment industry because of the skills they learned in the program.
Lena continues to write and produce projects through her production company, FilmArts South Studios. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. More by Lena Claybon

• email

Joice Dunn

Joice Mangham Dunn was University Editor at Grambling State University August, 1977 – 16 July, 2016. She has 39 years of experience as a writer/layout/designer. Joice made it her business to write stories, layout and design newspapers, newsletters and programs that are interesting and entertaining.

During her time at Grambling State University, she instructed students in writing style, collecting story information and editing; Assisted students in photography and advertisement sales; Instructed students in layout design and accompanied them on training trips; filed reports, gathered information, and performed research. Joice returned as a volunteer in January of 2017 through December of 2018 to help students.

She attended Grambling State University from 1973 until 1977, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. In 1978 – 1980 she obtained a Master of Arts and Sciences in Sports Administration from Grambling State University. In 2000 – 2002 received a Master of Sciences degree in Public Administration from Grambling State University.

She is skilled in InDesign Program Layout and Production Photography and has knowledge of Web performance. More by Joice Dunn

• email

Contact Us

Contact Us at 318-224-2676 or gramblingconnection@gmail.com