Join the movement to co-create a community-designed policy that addresses Black New Orleanians’ needs for equity and liberation!

Building Community Power is a collaborative policy design series that confronts our community’s major concerns with radical imagination and this month, we’re focusing our visioning on climate justice!

Collaborate with passionate advocates, experts, and fellow changemakers to imagine a world where communities thrive in harmony with the environment, equipped with the tools they need to combat climate change and advance sustainability.

From 10am to 12pm, we’re joined by Taproot Earth to kick things off with the Katrina20 Local Committee meeting. The Katrina 20 Local Committee is a community-led collective tasked with commemorating the 20 years of survival, resistance, culture, joy and community power displayed in the aftermath of Katrina and subsequent climate disasters.

Then, from 12pm to 2pm, we’ll dive deep into discussions on the future of climate and environmental justice right here in New Orleans. We’ll have lunch, share stories, and brainstorm solutions.

Join us as we plant seeds for a greener tomorrow. 🌱

The Ashé Rooftop Festival will take place on Saturday, October 12, 2024. Y'all know how we got down last year! This year, we're bringing the experience of the African Diaspora under the sky to a neighborhood near you– and across culturally-curated rooftop spaces in New Orleans.

Join us in across Mid-City, the Warehouse District, to the French Quarter/Tremé at our Main Rooftop (300 N. Broad Street) in partnership with Broad Community Connections, our Wellness Rooftop (900 Camp St. 3rd Floor) at The Shop @ The CAC, and Social Justice Rooftop (501 Basin Street) at Basin Street Station!

The whole family is invited to experience themed rooftops of wellness, kid’s corner, social justice, poetry, and performances from your musical favorites. Iconic DJs, mouthwatering foods, signature cocktails, thought-provoking conversations, interactive installations, and much more!

What: Ashé Rooftop Festival

Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024

Location: Main Rooftop (300 N. Broad Street) in partnership with Broad Community Connections (11am - 10pm)

Wellness Rooftop (900 Camp St. 3rd Floor) at The Shop @ The CAC (9am - 5pm)

Social Justice Rooftop (501 Basin Street) at Basin Street Station (11am - 5pm)

The Ashé Rooftop Festival & Gala is an inaugural event and weekend-long celebration culturally-curated across beautiful rooftop spaces in New Orleans.

The Ashé Rooftop Gala will take place on Friday, October 11, 2024. Ashé Cultural Arts Center is excited to host The Ashé Rooftop Gala at 300 N. Broad Street, in partnership with Broad Community Connections!

Join us in your AFROCHIC attire and experience the African Diaspora under the sky in a neighborhood near you with a headlining performance by Kindred the Family Soul, hosted by Shay O’Connor, and sounds by DJ Rakimbeau! Don’t miss an opening performance by Erica Falls and closing by Kings of Brass. Patron party sounds by T-Ray the Violinist.

What: Ashé Rooftop Gala

Date: Friday, October 11 , 2024

Time: 7pm - 10pm (General Admission) | 6pm (Sponsors/Patron Party)

Location: Broad Community Connections (300 N. Broad Street)

The Ashé Rooftop Festival & Gala is an inaugural event and weekend-long celebration culturally-curated across beautiful rooftop spaces in New Orleans.

When a leaking petrochemical tank at Marathon Petroleum’s refinery in Louisiana’s Cancer Alley caught fire on August 25, 2023, a thick plume of toxic smoke spread for days and miles over neighbouring communities. Authorities claimed that nearby residents were unaffected, but as reports of severe health impacts emerged, some of those residents asked Forensic Architecture (FA) to investigate. This film shares the findings of FA's year-long collaboration with the Guardian.

Join us this Saturday, September 28 at the Ashé Powerhouse Theater for Reel Talk: Chemical Fire at Marathon Refinery, as part of our #LosingLouisiana series.

Stay for the talk back featuring: Imani Jacqueline Brown (Forensic Architecture), May Hampton (Boundless Community Action), Joy Banner (The Descendants Project), and Oliver Laughland (The Guardian).

About:

Marathon Petroleum Corporation’s facility in Garyville, Louisiana, is one of the largest refineries in the western hemisphere. On 24 August 2023, a tank containing naphtha––a volatile hydrocarbon chemical mixture––began leaking and later ignited, resulting in the second largest chemical spill in thirty years, according to the EPA. For two days, a chemical fire at the facility waxed and waned, and a thick, black chemical plume stretched across the sky. Even as residents suffered severe health impacts, including several hospitalisations, state and corporate officials consistently claimed that there were no impacts beyond Marathon’s property line.

Suspecting a cover-up, residents asked Forensic Architecture (FA) to investigate. This film shares the findings of our year-long collaboration with the Guardian, presenting a fluid dynamics simulation of the chemical plume and unheard testimonies from residents of fenceline communities in St. John the Baptist Parish, situated with a 3D model of the site. FA will also premiere a narrative platform designed to track and compare evidence of the incident’s development, accounts from residents, and the state’s response over time.

The Marathon Garyville Refinery is located at the heart of Cancer Alley, where over two hundred of the nation’s most polluting petrochemical facilities occupy the fallow footprints of formerly slave-powered sugarcane plantations. The latest incident at the Marathon facility can be understood not as an isolated incident, but rather as an acute eruption of a chronic condition of environmental racism that has plagued the region for three hundred years.

In 2021, FA was commissioned by Rise St. James and the Descendants Project to investigate the construction of industrial facilities atop unmarked Black cemeteries throughout the River Parishes. This investigation into the 2023 Marathon fire continues FA’s commitment to supporting the multigenerational struggle of Cancer Alley’s fenceline communities.

On #SistahsThursday, join Simone Immanuel for Fierce Fit! This unique dance workout is a mixture of African, ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop dance styles. Fierce Fit will leave you feeling exhilarated and liberated. This is a safe place for beginners, experts, and everyone in between.⁠
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#SistahsMakingAchange is free and open to the public every Tuesday and Thursday, 6pm-8pm, at Ashé.⁠

Sistahs Making a Change and I Deserve It have joined forces to address the impact of climate change on health and wellness in Louisiana every Tuesday until October 3rd!⁠
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Fred Johnston joins Sistahs on Tuesday, August 27 to discuss the effect climate change has on food security and nutrition.

On #SistahsThursday, join Simone Immanuel for Fierce Fit! This unique dance workout is a mixture of African, ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop dance styles. Fierce Fit will leave you feeling exhilarated and liberated. This is a safe place for beginners, experts, and everyone in between.⁠
⁠
#SistahsMakingAchange is free and open to the public every Tuesday and Thursday, 6pm-8pm, at Ashé.⁠

After Katrina, the city's public school system underwent major changes, including the widespread adoption of charter schools. This has led to challenges around accessibility and quality of education for many students, particularly those from Black communities. 

Join our Education design session to envision a New Orleans where all children have access to a high-quality public education. This month’s Building Community Power session is co-led by Black Education for New Orleans!

After Katrina, the city's public school system underwent major changes, including the widespread adoption of charter schools. This has led to challenges around accessibility and quality of education for many students, particularly those from Black communities. 

Join our Education design session to envision a New Orleans where all children have access to a high-quality public education. This month’s Building Community Power session is co-led by Black Education for New Orleans!

In New Orleans, Black residents have higher rates of chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and poor mental health due to historic disinvestment. This has led to a 15- to 25-year deficit in life expectancy between Black communities and the city’s wealthier, whiter neighborhoods.

Join our Health Equity design session to envision and design a healthy, equitable New Orleans.

In New Orleans, Black residents have higher rates of chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and poor mental health due to historic disinvestment. This has led to a 15- to 25-year deficit in life expectancy between Black communities and the city’s wealthier, whiter neighborhoods.

Join our Health Equity design session to envision a healthy, equitable New Orleans.

The annual New Orleans MAAFA Commemoration is a community remembrance event, a moment to reckon with the horrors of the Transatlantic and Domestic Slave Trades, and a release from the chains of its legacy. MAAFA is a Kiswahili word meaning “horrific tragedy” and refers to the period known as The Middle Passage. This year’s event presented by Ashé Cultural Arts Center is on Saturday, July 6, 2023 at 7:00am, beginning at Congo Square (701 N Rampart St.)

This year’s theme is Radiant Rhythms–a celebration of the divine power of African drums. For centuries, the stories of Africa have been forged in rhythm by musical griots who pay tribute to the unwavering resolve, indomitable strength, and indelible history of our culture by touching hand, stick, or bone to an African drum.

MAAFA identifies historically-significant locations of New Orleans’ own history as a major slave market, such as Esplanade Avenue and The Tomb of the Unknown Slave in Tremé. In closing, we say the names of those enslaved and free, victims of tragic events, senseless violence, as well as all those who were, so that we might be.

All white attire is preferred. The local community and visitors are invited to attend this commemoration event of healing, testimony, and celebration of our ancestors, existence, and survival.

Pop out and pop up with Ashé this Friday & Saturday for our Pop Up for the Culture Day Party! From 12-6pm at Ashé Cultural Arts Center, shop with Black-owned businesses, get something to eat, and party with our featured artists: 

Friday, July 5

• Sozi

• ClemonsAndCo

• Piper Stringz

• B. Winnie

• Rapbaum

• 2Bagg

Saturday, July 6

• DJ Ojay

Our 2024 MAAFA exhibition, Radiant Rhythms, is a celebration of the divine power of African drums. For centuries, the stories of Africa have been forged in rhythm by musical griots who pay tribute to the unwavering resolve, strength, and history of our culture by touching hand, stick, or bone to an African drum. From Djembe to Bara, Tama to Krin, Sabar to Bougarabou, the sounds of these sacred instruments take us on a journey of remembrance through time, tradition, struggle and triumph.

Each beat of an African drum tells a story, echoing the voices of ancestors who taught us how to use them to communicate, celebrate, mourn, and inspire. Drums announce births, deaths, marriages, religious rites and rituals, and social and political events. They herald our coming to and our going from the land of the living, and every significant moment in between. Throughout history, as Africa experienced tragedy after tragedy at the hands of colonizers, the drums remained a steadfast connection to our sacred source.

Join us on Friday, June 28 from 6pm-9pm at Ashé Cultural Arts Center and explore the power, rhythm, and story of the drum.

Curated by Frederick “Wood” Delahoussaye; drums provided by Southern University at New Orleans Museum of Art, Bill Summers, Luther Gray, and Frederick “Wood” Delahoussaye. Images by Gason Ayisyin, quilts by Louise Mouton-Johnson and Cely Pedescleaux.

Join Sara Green on Thursdays for Rueda de Casino!

Sistahs will learn the basics of a traditional Cuban partner dance known as Rueda de Casino. With dynamic coordinated moves danced in a large circle, Rueda de Casino will have you moving and grooving to the beat. You can learn more about the mission of Dile Que NOLA on their website https://www.dilequenola.org/.

Join Nana Anoa Nantambu on Tuesdays for Intro to Mindfulness!

This course is for those who wish to begin a mindfulness meditation practice, for those who wish to reestablish a practice, as well as for those already with a practice and wish to strengthen it. The primary focus of the course is practice. The sessions will cover the basic foundations of mindfulness, including these topics: what is mindfulness and an introduction to meditation, mindfulness of the body, mindfulness of emotions, mindfulness of thoughts and limiting beliefs, cultivating a kind and loving heart, and moving forward to bring your practice into the world.

Decades of discrimination, neglect, and natural disasters have created a devastating affordable housing crisis in New Orleans that is displacing long-time residents and tearing apart communities.

Join our Housing Rights design session to envision a New Orleans where everyone has access to safe, stable, and affordable homes.

Decades of discrimination, neglect, and natural disasters have created a devastating affordable housing crisis in New Orleans that is displacing long-time residents and tearing apart communities.

Join our Housing Rights design session to envision a New Orleans where everyone has access to safe, stable, and affordable homes.

Join Sara Green on Thursdays for Rueda de Casino!

Sistahs will learn the basics of a traditional Cuban partner dance known as Rueda de Casino. With dynamic coordinated moves danced in a large circle, Rueda de Casino will have you moving and grooving to the beat. You can learn more about the mission of Dile Que NOLA on their website https://www.dilequenola.org/.

We’re launching Building Community Power with a Juneteenth Kickoff Dinner! Over a meal and in conversation, we will identify our civic engagement goals and processes while engaging in dialogue for equity and liberation.

Join the movement on Tuesday, June 18 at 6:30pm at Ashé Cultural Arts Center.

Join Sara Green on Thursdays for Rueda de Casino!

Sistahs will learn the basics of a traditional Cuban partner dance known as Rueda de Casino. With dynamic coordinated moves danced in a large circle, Rueda de Casino will have you moving and grooving to the beat. You can learn more about the mission of Dile Que NOLA on their website https://www.dilequenola.org/.

Join Nana Anoa Nantambu on Tuesdays for Intro to Mindfulness!

This course is for those who wish to begin a mindfulness meditation practice, for those who wish to reestablish a practice, as well as for those already with a practice and wish to strengthen it. The primary focus of the course is practice. The sessions will cover the basic foundations of mindfulness, including these topics: what is mindfulness and an introduction to meditation, mindfulness of the body, mindfulness of emotions, mindfulness of thoughts and limiting beliefs, cultivating a kind and loving heart, and moving forward to bring your practice into the world.

Join Sara Green on Thursdays for Rueda de Casino!

Sistahs will learn the basics of a traditional Cuban partner dance known as Rueda de Casino. With dynamic coordinated moves danced in a large circle, Rueda de Casino will have you moving and grooving to the beat. You can learn more about the mission of Dile Que NOLA on their website https://www.dilequenola.org/.

Join Nana Anoa Nantambu on Tuesdays for Intro to Mindfulness!

This course is for those who wish to begin a mindfulness meditation practice, for those who wish to reestablish a practice, as well as for those already with a practice and wish to strengthen it. The primary focus of the course is practice. The sessions will cover the basic foundations of mindfulness, including these topics: what is mindfulness and an introduction to meditation, mindfulness of the body, mindfulness of emotions, mindfulness of thoughts and limiting beliefs, cultivating a kind and loving heart, and moving forward to bring your practice into the world.

Join Sara Green on Thursdays for Rueda de Casino!

Sistahs will learn the basics of a traditional Cuban partner dance known as Rueda de Casino. With dynamic coordinated moves danced in a large circle, Rueda de Casino will have you moving and grooving to the beat. You can learn more about the mission of Dile Que NOLA on their website https://www.dilequenola.org/.

Join Nana Anoa Nantambu on Tuesdays for Intro to Mindfulness!

This course is for those who wish to begin a mindfulness meditation practice, for those who wish to reestablish a practice, as well as for those already with a practice and wish to strengthen it. The primary focus of the course is practice. The sessions will cover the basic foundations of mindfulness, including these topics: what is mindfulness and an introduction to meditation, mindfulness of the body, mindfulness of emotions, mindfulness of thoughts and limiting beliefs, cultivating a kind and loving heart, and moving forward to bring your practice into the world.

Join us for a commemoration honoring Baba Chuck Siler's life, times, and commitment to building and preserving Black institutions; as well as an exhibition highlighting his astounding artwork.

Baba Chuck Siler was a famed artist, cartoonist, illustrator, writer, activist, and cultural presenter who centered his artistry on Louisiana's African roots and civil rights activism.