Skip to main content

Posts

Lincoln Beach and the Politics of Public Space

Why Lincoln Beach Matters Before it closed in the 1960s, Lincoln Beach was an important place for the Black community in New Orleans. At a time when most public beaches were off-limits due to segregation, Lincoln Beach offered a rare space to enjoy the water, music, and time with family. Big names like Fats Domino, Irma Thomas, and Nat King Cole performed there, and it became a place full of life, joy, and pride. For many, it wasn’t just a beach, it was a safe a place. Reopening Lincoln Beach is about more than just building new things; it’s about honoring that history and giving it the care it deserves. Photograph by Michael P. Smith, The Historic New Orleans Collection, Acc. No. 2007.0103.1.149 Public Spaces and Why They Matter Lincoln Beach is also part of a bigger conversation: who gets access to public spaces, and why that matters. For Black communities in New Orleans and across the country, access to public space has long been shaped by segregation, disinvestment, and exclusi...
Post a Comment
Read more
Recent posts

New Orleans vs. DNA Backlogs: Fighting for Sexual Assault Justice

  Councilmember Harris Leads Efforts to Address DNA Backlog and Sexual Assault Awareness Councilmember Lesli Harris convened a Quality-of-Life Committee meeting on April 8, 2025, to address the progress in reducing New Orleans’ DNA backlog and to recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The meeting featured presentations from local agencies and sparked a discussion about the city's efforts to support survivors and provide justice for victims. Tackling the DNA Backlog One of the key topics of the meeting was the ongoing DNA Outsourcing Project, which aims to reduce the backlog of untested DNA kits in the city. Since late 2023, the backlog has been reduced from 4,600 cases to 2,098. Councilmember Harris emphasized the importance of this progress, stating, “Clearing this backlog has been one of my top priorities because every untested kit represents a delayed opportunity for justice.” Thanks to $3 million in funding that Harris helped secure, along with support from the New Orleans P...
Post a Comment
Read more

Meat, Music, and Miracles: Hogs for the Cause

What is Hogs for the Cause? Hogs for the Cause is a nonprofit organization in New Orleans that helps families whose children are fighting brain cancer. The charity raises money to assist with medical bills, travel costs, and other important needs during the child’s treatment. Each year, the organization hosts a big BBQ festival to raise money for this cause. The BBQ Festival Hogs for the Cause is more than just a BBQ festival; it's a celebration of food, music, and community. BBQ teams gather to compete in different categories, such as whole hog, ribs, and creative side dishes. The event also features live music, local vendors, and an exciting atmosphere that brings people together. A Successful 2025 Event The 2025 Hogs for the Cause event was a huge success! Over 100 BBQ teams participated and showed off their creativity with unique dishes. Some teams served up sweet treats like peanut butter, chocolate, and bacon hand pies, bacon praline cheesecake, and mayo-shortbread cooki...
Post a Comment
Read more

New Orleans in the Red: The $2.1 Billion Debt Struggle

 New Orleans Faces Financial Struggles: What You Need to Know New Orleans, a city known for its unique charm, is facing serious financial trouble. In 2023, the city had a   $2.1 billion  shortfall, meaning the city owes more money than it has to cover its bills. If the city were to pay off this debt by taxing its residents, each taxpayer would face an   $18,300  burden. This has earned New Orleans a "D" grade for its finances and has put it on the "Sinkhole City" list in Truth in Accounting's latest report. What Is Taxpayer Burden? The  Taxpayer Burden  shows how much each taxpayer would need to contribute if the city had to pay off all of its debts today. So, while residents don’t have to pay this amount directly, it reflects the city’s overall financial situation. In New Orleans' case, that burden is  $18,300  per taxpayer. According to Truth in Accounting’s grading system, cities with a Taxpayer Burden between  $5,000  and  ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Who’s Running for Mayor in New Orleans? Early Days in the 2025 Election.

  A Look Ahead: What We Know About the 2025 New Orleans Mayoral Election As Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s term comes to an end, the race to replace her is heating up. Cantrell is term-limited and will leave office in January 2026. Qualifying for the election starts in July 2025, with the primary in October 2025 and the general election in November. 2025. While the race is still months away, here’s what we know so far about the candidates for New Orleans mayor in 2025. The Candidates So far, the following candidates have confirmed they’re running for mayor: Helena Moreno – A current councilmember, Moreno is pushing for a new direction for the city. She focuses on crime reduction and youth investment. Oliver Thomas – A longtime councilmember, Thomas believes his experience will help fix New Orleans’ biggest issues. Arthur Hunter – A lawyer, former judge, and ex-NOPD officer, Hunter aims to tackle crime, improve infrastructure, and make the city more resilient to climate chan...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Power of Community Engagement: A Historic Weekend in Louisiana

A Historic Weekend for Louisiana Voters It’s been a significant and historic weekend across Louisiana. Voter turnout was unexpectedly high as citizens headed to the polls on Saturday, March 29th, to vote on four proposed amendments to the state constitution. In New Orleans alone, over 81,000 people cast their votes, with more than 90% voting against the proposed amendments. This high level of engagement reflects how invested Louisiana residents are in shaping their state's future. Community Activism at Its Best This impressive turnout seems largely driven by local activists and community groups. As I was driving down Broad Street on the afternoon of March 29th, I witnessed something truly inspiring. A Jeep, parked in the Neutral Ground, blared upbeat music while two women rapped words of encouragement, urging New Orleanians to get out and vote. Can it get more New Orleans than that? Not to mention,  leading up to the election, it was nearly impossible to drive two blocks witho...
Post a Comment
Read more

Equity vs. Equality in New Orleans: Building a Fairer Future

In New Orleans, a city known for its vibrant culture, rich history, and diverse communities, the concepts of equity and equality are at the forefront of discussions about social justice, education, and public policy. As the city continues to evolve, understanding the distinction between these two terms is crucial for building a truly fair and inclusive society—one where all residents, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to thrive. What is Equality? Equality is the concept of treating everyone the same way, regardless of their individual circumstances or needs. The idea behind equality is that everyone should have the same resources, opportunities, and rights. In the context of New Orleans, this could mean offering every student the same textbook, providing the same healthcare services to all residents, or ensuring that all citizens have equal access to political representation. While equality sounds fair in theory, it doesn’t always lead to equal outcomes. For exampl...
Post a Comment
Read more