The Black New Orleans History You Didn’t Know Shaped America 

By Cierra Chenier ·Updated June 25, 2024

This story originally appeared in the July/August 2024 issue of ESSENCE magazine, on stands June 25.

At the southern reach of the United States map, and about 50 percent below sea level, lies New Orleans. It’s a predominantly Black port city,

Shelby Stewart
Author: Shelby Stewart