The Descendants Project
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descendantsproject.bsky.social
The Descendants Project
@descendantsproject.bsky.social
a 501c3 nonprofit organization established to support descendant communities in the Louisiana river parishes working together to dismantle the legacies of slavery and to achieve a healed and liberated future.
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...
November 5, 2025 at 8:54 PM
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
October 20, 2025 at 5:40 PM
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
September 5, 2025 at 2:17 PM
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
September 4, 2025 at 9:59 PM
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. 💚 ✊🏽
August 31, 2025 at 10:20 PM
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
August 26, 2025 at 3:03 PM
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.
August 24, 2025 at 10:20 PM
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.
August 21, 2025 at 10:20 PM
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.
August 19, 2025 at 6:32 PM
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.
August 16, 2025 at 3:07 PM
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.
August 14, 2025 at 10:49 PM
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
August 13, 2025 at 10:20 PM
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
August 10, 2025 at 8:01 PM
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)
August 9, 2025 at 10:20 PM
♻️ 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
August 8, 2025 at 11:01 PM
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.
August 6, 2025 at 7:16 PM
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
August 4, 2025 at 8:01 PM
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.
August 1, 2025 at 11:45 PM
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.
July 30, 2025 at 5:38 PM
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 🌦️
July 18, 2025 at 10:44 PM
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
July 17, 2025 at 10:40 PM
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.
July 11, 2025 at 3:05 PM
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
July 8, 2025 at 8:50 PM
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
July 5, 2025 at 12:01 PM
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
July 4, 2025 at 3:53 PM