The Descendants Project is committed to reversing the harms of slavery, especially the legacy pollution of Cancer Alley Black land loss, economic injustice, and cultural erasure.

The Descendants Project is an emerging organization founded by Jo Banner and Dr. Joy Banner in 2021.

TDP is committed to the intergenerational healing and flourishing of the Black descendant community in the Louisiana river parishes. The lands of the river parishes hold the intersecting histories of enslavement, settler colonialism, and environmental degradation.

WE STOPPED THE WALLACE GRAIN ELEVATOR

Woodland plantation

Upcoming events

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, strate
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, strate
Co-Founder and Co-Director of The Descendants Project, Jo Banner is back home from Geneva after the 6th round of negotiations for a UN Global Plastics Treaty, which still hasn't been reached. Although environmental groups, scientists, and frontline
The "Woodstock" of Wallace- Papa Dukie and the Mud People The hippy movement of the 60's and 70's made its way to the levees of Wallace, LA. In 1972, musical prodigy and recording artist, Eddie "Poppa Duke" or "Papa Dukie&q
✨ Team Spotlight: Sultana Harris ✨ Sultana Harris is the new Interim Executive Director at The Descendants Project's Woodland Museum. Through her visionary leadership, the museum is being restored and reimagined as a powerful site of truth-telling, r
The Descendants Project Reflects on Cancellation of the Greenfield Grain Terminal One Year Later The Descendants Project, will host a virtual panel at 6:30 p.m./ CT on August 21st to mark the one-year anniversary since Greenfield Louisiana LLC hal
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. The Rosenwald Schools were built across the South in the early 1900s through a p
What is plantation tourism, and how is it booming industry? Join us at the Broadside Theater for a screening of "Vacation Plantation" on Friday, September 5th. Following the screening will be a panel discussion with Joseph McGill of the Sla
Freedom means protecting our future too. At our July-teenth celebration, we committed to reducing waste and caring for the land that carries our history. 🌍 ✨ We used reusable plates, cups, and silverware ✨ Volunteers helped wash dishes throughout
Welcome to Wallace Wednesdays. This month, as we reflect on our fight and win against Greenfield, we want to tell the stories of how industry has routinely affected the Wallace community. In the 1990s, the community of Wallace rose up against Formos