The Descendants Project

We’re back and getting to work in the new year 💪🏽
Solar panels are now installed at our Storm and Climate Resilience Hub in Wallace helping ensure the community has power and support after major storms and disasters!
Shoutout to @footprintprjct 🙌🏽
Learn more at the link in our bio 🔗

Plastic pollution is a global crisis. Our Co-Founder and Co-Director Jo Banner will be giving a TED Talk with @plasticpollutes during TEDxGreatPacificGarbagePatch, exploring how we can solve plastic pollution by 2040? 🌍💧

Register for the livestream here: bit.ly/TEDxGreatPac...

The pier at Woodland Plantation has been restored—not just as structure, but as symbol.
A home reclaimed. A future protected.

🎥 Watch the full story: youtu.be/MBKBeF944qI

#WoodlandPlantation #TheDescendantsProject #BayouPreservation #RestorationWithPurpose #BlackHeritage

Join us TONIGHT at The Broadside for Vacation Plantation. Panel w/ Joseph McGill, Jo Banner & Ashley Rogers. Moderated by Dr. Mary Niall Mitchell.
RSVP: www.thedescendantsproject.org/events

@midlocenter @BlueLobTales
#blackhistory #documentary

Join us Sept 5th at The Broadside for "Vacation Plantation" Screening. Panel w/ Joseph McGill, Jo Banner & Ashley Rogers. Moderated by Dr. Mary Niall Mitchell.
RSVP: www.thedescendantsproject.org/events

@midlocenter @BlueLobTales
#blackhistory #documentary

Co-Founder, Jo Banner met with General Russel Honoré last week during the 20th year commemoration of Hurricane Katrina. The General took time from his busy schedule, which included juggling national interviews, to advocate for us and the meaningful protection of communities in Cancer Alley. 💚 ✊🏽

We are honored to be partnering with Katrina 20 Week of Action.

Dr. Joy Banner will be joined by fellow TDP Co-Founder/Director Jo Banner as well as Tish Taylor, and Trenice Cooper.

#Katrina20 #WeAreTheStorm #LivingwithWater

Hurricane Katrina caused damage to over 90% of homes and businesses in St. John the Baptist Parish. Join us for a discussion with Jo Banner, resident and business owner and Trenice Cooper, former resident of New Orleans as they detail their ongoing recovery from Katrina and Ida.

Defeated by community pushback, Greenfield LA, LLC cancelled its plans for a massive grain depot that would have destroyed the historic community of Wallace. As we reflect on the one-year anniversary, join us for a discussion of the advocacy, strategies, and continuing litigation.

Defeated by community pushback, Greenfield LA, LLC cancelled its plans for a massive grain depot that would have destroyed the historic community of Wallace. As we reflect on the one-year anniversary, join us for a discussion of the advocacy, strategies, and continuing litigation.

The "Woodstock" of Wallace

The hippy movement made its way to the levees of Wallace, LA. In 1972, musical prodigy and recording artist, "Papa Dukie" Edwards of Wallace, brought a group of rock musicians, known as the Mudpeople to hold a festival. They ended up staying 22 months behind the levee.

The Descendants Project reflects on Cancellation of the Greenfield Grain Terminal One Year Later. TDP will host a virtual panel at 6:30 p.m./ CT on August 21st to mark the one-year anniversary since Greenfield Louisiana LLC halted plans to develop one of the largest grain depot.

Did you know...

Communities on the West Bank of St. John the Baptist Parish were a part of one of the largest and most innovative educational movements in the country.

Read more on our website (Link in Bio). buff.ly/DQiRIQ3
#BlackHistory

At our July-teenth celebration, guests experienced public archaeology with the Midlo Center and University of New Orleans, uncovering pieces of life and resistance at Woodland Plantation.

History lives in the soil. 🖤

#StillWeRise #TheStoriesWeCarry #Julyteenth2025

Why do millions of tourists vacation at sites of trauma?

Join us at the Broadside Theater for a screening of "Vacation Plantation" on Friday, September 5th.

Sponsored by The Midlo Center for New Orleans Studies. (@midlocenter)

♻️ At our July-teenth celebration, we cut down on waste with reusable plates & silverware, volunteer dishwashers, and collapsible Descendants Project cups gifted to every guest.

Honoring the past means caring for the earth too. 🖤🌍

#StillWeRise #SustainableFreedom #Julyteenth2025

In the 1990s, the community of Wallace rose up against Formosa Plastics who threatened the destruction of this free town community. Today, we uplift Wilfred Greene and Samuel Jackson who fought against industry and protect our descendant community.
To listen to Mr. Greene speak, see link in bio.

The Women of 1811 — The Descendants Project We know the names of Charles Deslondes, Cook, and Gilbert. But In 1811, Francoise, Marie Rose, and Lucy also risked their lives to fight for freedom in the largest enslaved revolt in U.S. history:…

We know the names of Charles Deslondes, Cook, and Gilbert. But In 1811, Francoise, Marie Rose, and Lucy also risked their lives to fight for freedom in the largest enslaved revolt in U.S. history: the German Coast Uprising.

Click below to read their stories.

The Descendants Project honored Harriet Tubman and the Bricklers, her descendants during our July-teenth celebration. The Brickler family shared family stories about Tubman and her impact on her their careers in women's health and education.

#TheStoriesWeCarry #BlackLegacy #StillWeRise

The Director of Public History, Kalie Dutra, joins a cohort to uplift stories of communities in New Orleans and the River Parishes. TDP aims to work with St. John the Baptist Parish residents to co-create and unveil the stories they hold as key to shaping culture, history, and the community.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 2025 July-teenth Celebration event!

From the music and speakers to the food, vendors, and shared reflections — this was a community celebration rooted in remembrance, resistance, and Black freedom.

We are so excited to celebrate with you all!

We'll keep you cool and dry with complimentary parking shuttles courtesy of @unitedfronttransportation.

Summer showers are possible, so come prepared 🌦️

Join us on Facebook LIVE tonight at 6:30 central.

Panel Discussion featuring:

The Brickler Family: Descendants of Harriet Tubman

Edda L. Fields-Black, Author of COMBEE

Amber Mitchell, Curator of Black History at the Henry Ford Museum

EXHIBIT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
July 18, 2025 10am-4:30pm

Learn about the The Descendants Project's stewardship of the 1811/Kid Ory House, the history of the women involved in 1811 revolt, and the ongoing struggle of descendant communities in the footprint of plantation country: Cancer Alley.

Last day to register for the Still We Rise Celebration is next Wednesday July 16.

Register here for Julyteenth events: www.thedescendantsproject.org/events

#fencelinecommunities #historicpreservation #blackhistory #plantationcountry #genealogy #historicspaces #southlouisiana #julyteenth

The July-teenth "Still We Rise" celebration is only 2 weeks away!

Make sure to RSVP for the festivities on July 19th at the link below.

Can't wait to see y'all there!

buff.ly/cDMuSti

#blackhistory #historicspaces #southlouisiana #julyteenth
#stjohnthebaptistparish
#emancipation
#louisiana

Support freedom and independence by sponsoring and registering for our July-teenth Festival!

To sponsor this event, or to RSVP for the celebration, go to www.thedescendantsproject.org/events/julyt...

#julyteenth #historicpreservation #blackhistory #historicspaces #southlouisiana #juneteenth

This panel will explore the challenges of studying and preserving Black history, particularly family history, through the lens of the legacy of Harriet Tubman.
RSVP HERE: buff.ly/hpnOvVY
6:30pm - Lucy House 1116 LA-628, Laplace
#julyteenth #harriettubman

Big ideas & bold voices on Day 2 of #ANH2025 🇹🇿! A powerful keynote from @descendantsproject.bsky.social Banner sisters spotlighted environmental justice, while experts tackled demand for healthy diets in tough food environments.
Equity, action & transformation were front and centre. Stay tuned! 🌍💬

Keynote Speech: From plantations to petrochemical plants JO BANNER Co-Founder & Co-Director Jo’s love for Louisiana was partly instilled by her grandparents, who passed down 10 generations of Louisiana folktales and history highlighting her Afro-Creole Heri...

#ANH2025 in 🇹🇿 we're joined by @descendantsproject.bsky.social Jo & Joy Banner to hear their story from Sugar Plantations to Petrochemical Plants, reflecting on the legacy of slavery, environmental racism, & the appropriation of food cultures in Louisiana's ‘Cancer Alley’. Join now 🌍 bit.ly/43VM6pV