The Loop 21 is a dynamic, new African American news site taking the pulse of America regarding race, politics and more. The site just completed its second annual race and media survey, in which "Journalists of color from around the country weighed in on the explosive issue of racial news coverage" (TheLoop21.com). A regular contributor to both the Loop 21 and the Huffington Post, political commentator Keli Goff took some time out to discuss the results of this survey from a fresh perspective. If you want your voice to be heard on these issues, head over to the Loop to take their second survey on race in the news, which investigates how the public views the media's treatment of people of color, as opposed to journalists. Let's hear what Keli has to say about race relations, Desiree Rogers, Obama's future and more.

So, tell us, Keli, have you always been a journalist?

I actually started out in politics. My first big gig was as an intern on Hillary Clinton's Senate campaign when I was at NYU. Because of that experience, I ended up working as a congressional aid for a congresswoman here in New York. Then I worked in communications for non-profits that had a political focus. I was doing that during the day and going to Columbia and getting my master's at night, and I sold my first book while I was there. It's called 'Party Crashing: How the Hip-Hop Generation Declared Political Independence.' I had this idea based on conversations with friends about there being a big change in terms of the politics of young, black Americans. I would bring it up with different white friends who had varying degrees of prominence. Some people were elected officials, some people were high-ranking staffers – and no one had any idea that there was a difference between an 80-year-old black voter in the south and a young, educated 25-year-old black voter in an urban environment. There was this idea that we are all exactly alike, and I knew that this is just not true. So I had this idea, and through a series of twists and turns, I was linked up with my agent, and that's how we sold my first book. Obviously the timing kind of worked out because we had a chapter called "Generation Obama," and the book came out during the presidential primary.

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A War For Your Soul-Birmingham version from Erisai Films on Vimeo.

From Bossip: "This video is deep. It talks about the decline of the African-American and what we should be doing to better ourselves. Please...watch it."

I have heard a lot of talk recently about what many perceive as the black community's steady decline, which is quickening its pace right now. Do you agree?

"I have insomnia from the hurricane. I take a pill to sleep at night. I can't talk about the hurricane."

This is the personal story that an older black woman shared with me about her life four years after Katrina. And hers is but one voice. Black Voices went to New Orleans to get the inside story on the aftermath from the black community's perspective, because the general news media has portrayed the citizens of this city as alternately violent during the heat of the tragedy and passive during its rebuilding. But the New Orleans residents I met are survivors who acted with dignity during the crisis and are now eager to participate in the rebuilding.

Irvin Mayfield is the official cultural ambassador of New Orleans, and he owns a club that represents the style, flair and sensual joy of his city.

Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse is a showplace decked in purple velvet with a sound system that sends enlivening rhythms through your skin. Attend a jazz set there, and you won't stay in your chair. It's a perfect spot for African American travelers who want to support the city and its black businesses. The entire place makes you want to dance.

Another positive event that took place on the Katrina anniversary was the dedication of the 100th house completed in the Musicians' Village. The brain child of jazz artists Harry Connick, Jr. and Branford Marsalis, this settlement mixes homes for purchase with some rental units to serve the special economic needs of those who express the soul of New Orleans through sound. These music stars have partnered with Habitat for Humanity to create this oasis to help fellow artists return to their beloved home and thrive.

Stacy Phelps, center, attended the Make It Right Foundation Hurricane Katrina commemoration not in any official capacity, but as a friend. Stacy knows how to be a supportive friend, as she has made it her profession. As a worker with the Louisiana Spirit crisis counseling service, she and her colleagues pictured here have been friends to those in need who are suffering psychologically from the effects of the hurricane.

It's great to see African Americans helping African Americans -- another indication that the black community in New Orleans is both sticking together and getting involved in its own recovery, contrary to many accusations. As part of Louisiana Spirit, these black women help their community through counseling and emotional-support services administered over the phone and within clients' homes. And the need for their service is great.

People may not know that four years after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans still does not have one mental health hospital. This is a crisis in and of itself, because over and over, I have heard a certain very disturbing phrase used to describe what many black residents are going through: "post-traumatic stress disorder."

Today is the fourth anniversary of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. Over a 1,000 lives were lost, and millions of lives were changed forever. Help, support and pure love poured out toward the citizens of New Orleans from across America and around the world to help rebuild this special city and all those displaced lives. One of the more famous people to bring his soul to the rebuilding efforts is movie star Brad Pitt, whose Make It Right Foundation is making major waves through the success of its home-building initiative.

Waking up this morning in my lovely room at the Westin New Orleans Canal Palace, looking out over the glorious Mississippi River, I listened to locals from New Orleans on the black talk radio show 'The Real Talk.' The host, Wayne on Q93 Jams, was playing an amazing game with his listeners: "Who wants to be the mayor?"

Mayor Ray Nagin is currently in his second term and cannot be re-elected. And you may or may not know that the local and national perception of his performance is definitely controversial and mixed. So this topic was a hot one with listeners, who called in to talk about what really needs to be changed in the city and how black residents can improve their lives four years after Katrina. What a unique way to commemorate the memory of the devastation -- by looking forward.

When Toni Rice clicked a link on Black Voices to see our Katrina anniversary coverage, the first thing she saw was a dead body. As the director of the New Orleans Multicultural Tourism Network, it's Rice's deepest hope that this image changes to reflect the city's positive new reality.

Even though myths persist, there are no piles of rubble lining the streets even in the most damaged neighborhoods. And the few remaining FEMA trailers left are being phased out by law, on a parish-by-parish basis. The main tourist areas are clean and sparkling, and in other areas, there is growth despite its slow pace.

The black residents of New Orleans may be contending with broken homes and shattered faith in the federal government. Yet, there is something special about these citizens that gives them resilience -- their love for their hometown. If you want to couch love in quantifiable terms, Anderson Cooper has reported that the return rate to New Orleans is up to 75 percent today, from a low of 25 percent. But don't take it from me. Take it from Rice, who was born and bred in New Orleans like her parents.