Author: Sarah Carr

Geraldlynn Stewart poses for a portrait outside her home in New Orleans East. Emily Kask/for NPR hide caption toggle caption Emily Kask/for NPR All through middle and high school in New Orleans, Geraldlynn Stewart heard the message every day: College was the key to a successful future. It was there on the banners that coated the doors and hallways, advertising far-flung schools, like Princeton University and Grinnell College. And she could hear it in the chants students recited over and over again. This is the way! We start the day! We get the knowledge to go to college! Yet even…