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IN THE NEWS

February 29, 2024

A museum on a former plantation shut down. These environmental activists have a plan to transform it.

Verite News

February 23, 2024

Facing America’s traumatic history head-on through tourism
Some plantations in the South are finally dropping the hoop skirts and mint juleps and telling a new story — from the perspective of those who were enslaved.

Boston Globe

February 21, 2024

2 Black women now own Louisiana plantation for 1st time in history

Axios Media

February 20, 2024

Louisiana plantation, home to 1811 slave revolt, is under Black ownership for first time

NOLA.com

February 19, 2024

Black History Month: Non-profit fighting industry expansion

WBRZ-TV

February 15, 2024

Woodland Plantation under Black ownership for first time

WGNO (ABC) - New Orleans' Very Own

February 14, 2024

The Descendants Project Ensures the Preservation of the Site of America’s Largest Slave Insurrection with Purchase of Louisiana Plantation

Yahoo Finance

February 14, 2024

Sisters reclaim historic plantation to serve local Black community

AccuWeather

February 2, 2024

Lawsuit alleges Port of South Louisiana violated state sunshine law

The Lens

February 1, 2024

Activists sue Port of South Louisiana over Wallace grain elevator tax break

NOLA.COM

January 16, 2024

The Descendants Project gives space heaters to St. John the Baptist Parish residents

WDSU News

January 12, 2024

Slave descendant wants Louisiana lawmakers to probe tax incentive deals

The Louisiana Illuminator

January 4, 2024

In the afterlife of slavery - The descendants in Louisiana’s River Parishes confront a new era of discrimination and environmental injustice, but they’re not backing down

Prism

January 3, 2024

$200M tax break for St. John grain terminal raises concerns over legality of loophole

WWNO

January 1, 2024

The Descendants Project awarded major grants; philanthropists & donors seek partnerships

L'Observateur

January 1, 2024

WHAT IS OUR COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY WHEN WE UNCOVER HONEST HISTORY?
Local history advocates say preservation, education and healing should include community redevelopment and respecting the agency of descendants of enslaved people.

Learning for Justice - A project of the Southern Poverty Law Center

December 28, 2023

The Descendants Project presents bonfire builders with 1st ‘Culture Bearers’ Award

L'Observateur

December 21, 2023

Behind The Lens episode 224: ‘Holding power to account’

The Lens

December 15, 2023

Community activist sues St. John council chair, parish government over free speech threats

Louisiana Illuminator

December 14, 2023

St. John Parish sued for shutting down critic, told not to rezone controversial site

The Lens

December 5, 2023

More Controversy Over St. John Grain Elevator

WWL-NO (CBS) - Eyewitness News at 10

December 1, 2023

Joy Banner told to curtail remarks or risk arrest

The Lens

November 13, 2023

Seeking protections for Cancer Alley residents in plastics treaty

Plastic News

November 9, 2023

St. John Parish group sues to overturn 1990 zoning change for Formosa Plastics

NOLA.COM

October 26, 2023

A proposal for a massive grain export terminal in Louisiana has run into trouble

NPR

October 24, 2023

Controversial grain elevator zoning decision faces delay amidst legal and environmental concerns

L'Observateur

October 18, 2023

Key vote delayed as controversy embroils grain elevator project in St. John - Concern over historic sites and pollution remains, while proponents cite jobs

NOLA.com

October 13, 2023

THE DARK MATTER ISSUE
Meet the New Mellon Foundation Initiative That Is Keeping and Shaping Our Places

Architect

October 11, 2023

Federal review finds grain terminal would harm historic sites in climate-vulnerable St. John Parish

The Lens

October 2, 2023

A New Tool Mapped Out 184 Climate Risks for Every Community Nationwide. Check Yours. A new data set outlines the threats in 70,000 U.S. census tracts. Black neighborhoods make up some of the most at risk.

Capital B

September 26, 2023

Residents look to St. John Parish history to save a rural stretch of the West Bank from industrialization

The Lens

August 23, 2023

A Reckoning at the Big House -
Regional historians, tour guides, and descendants of the enslaved weigh in on the future of plantation tourism in Louisiana

Country Roads Magazine

August 21, 2023

Controversial grain terminal for St. John hits another roadblock with judge's ruling

NOLA.com

August 10, 2023

These Louisiana sisters took their fight against big industry in ‘Cancer Alley’ to court — and won

Verite News

August 4, 2023

Ruling may cast uncertainty over controversial St. John grain export terminal

NOLA.COM

August 4, 2023

Court ruling returns Wallace land to residential zoning.

L'Observateur

August 3, 2023

The Descendants Project is Fighting for Environmental Justice & Black History August 3, 2023 at 8 AM

Dominique DiPrima "First Things First" -
The Descendants Project is leading the charge to recapture assets seized through racist and illegal means in Louisiana and enhance what we know as environmental justice through their work. Jo Banner is the co-founder and Executive Director of The Descendants Project, where she challenges systems, primarily legal systems that have exploited the descendants, such as herself, of those enslaved to plantations. She has spoken before the United Nations and participated in the first Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution.
https://www.thedescendantsproject.org/

August 2, 2023

Activists want to keep industry out of St. John west bank. Could a historic designation help?

WWNO - New Orleans Public Radio

July 1, 2023

Black women environmental justice leaders join ESSENCE Fest line-up

L'Observateur

June 21, 2023

Community advocates open up on environmental justice

Resource Recycling, Inc.

June 19, 2023

From Plantations to Petrochemicals -
The historical roots of Louisiana’s Cancer Alley can be found in slavery

Sierra - THE MAGAZINE OF THE SIERRA CLUB

June 14, 2023

The Descendants Project: A Conversation With the Founders

GreenBiz -
The Descendants Project is an emerging organization 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.

Speakers: Jo Banner, Co-Founder & Co-Director, The Descendants Project and Dr. Joy Banner Ph.D, Co-Founder & Co-Director, The Descendants Project

This session was held at GreenBiz Group’s Circularity 23 - the leading convening of professionals building the circular economy. Learn more about the event here: https://bit.ly/3P9xuMv

June 14, 2023

The Descendants Project: A Conversation With the Founders

GreenBiz

June 6, 2023

Judge allows pile driving to begin on proposed Wallace grain terminal

NOLA.Com

June 1, 2023

How a local victory against petrochemicals can spur global action on plastics - The Banner sisters fought for the preservation of land in America’s ‘Cancer Alley’. They are now in Paris to demand a global cap on plastic production.

Climate Home News

May 30, 2023

Louisiana residents fight to end industrial development

The Columbia Missourian

May 28, 2023

Sisters fight to protect community health and enslaved ancestors’ history

Louisiana Luminator

May 26, 2023

Louisiana sisters fight to protect their community’s health and enslaved ancestors’ history

Capital B

May 17, 2023

West Bank added to list of ‘America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places’

L'Observateur

May 16, 2023

Thousands Sign Petition in Opposition to Massive Grain Terminal in Louisiana that Would Erase ‘Vital History’ for Black Descendants

Yahoo News

May 13, 2023

11 Most Endangered Historic Places

National Trust for Historic Preservation

May 8, 2023

Wallace Residents Push Back Against Encroaching Industry

KATC

April 30, 2023

How a Louisiana café became home base for environmental justice

NOLA.COM

April 24, 2023

Chemical Plants Destroyed These Black Towns. The EPA Hopes New Regulations Will Help.

Capital B

April 10, 2023

Nonprofit: Greenfield owes $200 million in property taxes for grain elevator project

The Lens

April 3, 2023

Proposed Bill Treats Environmental Justice as a Civil Rights Issue

Ms. Magazine

February 27, 2023

Faces of Change | Jo and Joy Banner | The Descendants Project
In Louisiana's "Cancer Alley," industry doesn't only bring new jobs, but also dangerous work conditions and concerning health problems for people living nearby.
In this installment of Faces of Change we meet a pair of local women, Jo and Joy Banner, who say it doesn't have to be that way.

The Weather Channel (video)

February 27, 2023

Faces of Change | Jo and Joy Banner | The Descendants Project

The Weather Channel

February 16, 2023

Black History Month: How a former slave became a political giant and went on to establish Southern

WBRZ 2

February 14, 2023

Sisters reclaim historic plantation to serve local Black community

AccuWeather

February 8, 2023

Federal Agency Rejects Developer’s Report That Massive Grain Elevator Won’t Harm Black Heritage Sites

ProPublica

January 12, 2023


Slave descendant wants Louisiana lawmakers to probe tax incentive deals

The Louisiana Illuminator

December 28, 2022

The Descendants Project presents bonfire builders with 1st ‘Culture Bearers’ Award

L’Observateur

October 19, 2022

EPA Calls Out Environmental Racism in Louisiana’s Cancer Alley

ProPublica

October 12, 2022

Letter: EPA finds strong evidence state agencies have left Black residents living near Denka and throughout the Chemical Corridor disproportionately exposed to harmful pollutants

The Lens

October 11, 2022

Army Corps questions cumulative environmental and health impact of Greenfield’s proposed grain elevator project in letter rejecting “cultural resources survey”

The Lens

August 30, 2022

Federal government to review proposed grain elevator’s risk to Louisiana slave burial sites

The Louisiana Illuminator

August 25, 2022

Ida 1 year later: 'There's still blue tarps on people's roofs'

accuweather.com

August 15, 2022

Grain elevator company loses appeal to kill St. John residents’ suit opposing zoning ordinance

THE LENS

August 15, 2022

Lawsuit over $479M grain terminal in St. John to continue after court denies company's appeal

wwno.org

August 12, 2022

International human rights body presses U.S. on Louisiana’s 'Cancer Alley'

WWNO

August 12, 2022

Here's a live video from the United Nations in Geneva!

The Descendants Project (Facebook Live)

July 19, 2022

Letters: Editorial on proposed grain elevator was neither firm nor fair

theadvocate.com

July 5, 2022

National Urban League CEO Marc Morial comes out against Wallace grain elevator project

NOLA.com

July 5, 2022

National Urban League CEO Marc Morial comes out against Wallace grain elevator project

Nola.com

June 29, 2022

After 'insufficient' report, Corps to take closer look at grain terminal’s impact on historic sites

WWNO

June 28, 2022

After 'insufficient' report, Corps to take closer look at grain terminal's impact on historic sites

WRKF

June 28, 2022

Grain Elevator Project Could Destroy African American Historical Sites, Preservation Agency Says

Pro Publica

June 27, 2022

Louisiana’s ‘Cancer Alley’ has received increased attention. Will it bring more action?

nola.com

June 22, 2022

Rep. Grijalva Tours Cancer Alley Communities Plagued by Racial Discrimination and Environmental Injustice

DeSmog

June 16, 2022

The Descendants Project Holds Land Blessing Ceremony to Honor Juneteenth

L'Observateur

June 13, 2022

Judge allows pre-construction activity for grain elevator in historic, majority-Black part of St. John Parish

The Louisiana Weekly

June 6, 2022

Judge allows pile driving to begin on proposed Wallace grain terminal

nola.com

May 25, 2022

A Corporation Ignoring a Whistleblower About Disruption to a Historic Site? You Don't Say

esquire.com

May 20, 2022

She Warned the Grain Elevator Would Disrupt Sacred Black History. They Deleted Her Findings.

Pro Publica

May 19, 2022

History or jobs? Proposed grain elevator near historic Black community causes divisions

4WWL

May 4, 2022

Stopping Cancer Alley: Slave Descendants Suit Against $400M Grain Elevator Allowed To Proceed

Roland Martin Unfiltered

April 28, 2022

Grain elevator: Ruling lets slave descendants suit go ahead

The Washington Post

April 28, 2022

Amid push to block grain elevator, suit over zoning change moves forward in St. John Parish

WWNO - New Orleans Public Radio

April 28, 2022

Grain elevator operator must face suit from residents in Louisiana’s Cancer Alley

Courthouse News Service

April 21, 2022

Land, Health, and History: A fight for Environmental Justice and Community Legacy

The Activist Files Podcast

April 7, 2022

In ‘groundbreaking’ decision, EPA to investigate 2 state agencies over discrimination claims

WWNO

April 7, 2022

EPA investigates Louisiana environmental, health agencies for racial discrimination in issuing air pollution permits

NOLA.com

March 24, 2022

Wallace community responds to grain elevator project

L'Observateur

March 15, 2022

A Fight for Home and A Community in Cancer Alley

Bar\Heart Podcast (ep.4)

March 10, 2022

Millions suffering in deadly pollution ‘sacrifice zones’, warns UN expert

The Guardian

March 8, 2022

New grain terminal, 60 jobs planned in St. John Parish; some fear for their health, safety

Nola.com

March 5, 2022

Zoning maps, Corps of Engineers ruling create hurdles for grain terminal

L'Observateur

March 5, 2022

Zoning maps, Corps of Engineers ruling create hurdles for grain terminal

L'Observateur

March 3, 2022

New industrial growth in Louisiana's 'Cancer Alley' is 'environmental racism,' UN panel says

The Advocate

February 22, 2022

Marathon Refinery Explosion Puts Workers, Community At Risk.

Healthy Gulf

February 16, 2022

SLAVERY: Reversing the vagancies of slavery through healing & restorative work.

he NUANCE podcast (ep.53)

January 24, 2022

Twin sisters want their parish to heal descendants of the enslaved. How? Through the land.

Nola.com

January 12, 2022

Jo and Joy Banner on Beat the Big Guys with Sandy Rosenthal

Sandy Rosenthal

January 10, 2022

All Successes, No Matter How Small, Are Valuable – Jo and Joy Banner

Beat the Big Guys Podcast

January 1, 2022

The Descendants Project awarded major grants; philanthropists & donors seek partnerships

L’Observatuer

December 6, 2021

Louisiana's only museum centering the enslaved opposes $400 million grain terminal in St. John

nola.com

November 9, 2021

St. John Parish group sues to overturn 1990 zoning change for Formosa Plastics

nola.com

November 9, 2021

Descendants Project Sues Parish To Invalidate Zoning Ordinance That Threatens Health And Safety Of Black Historic Community – OpEd

eurasiareview.com

October 16, 2021

Is this Louisiana town right for a $400 million grain terminal? Some residents say no

nola.com

September 20, 2021

State Agency Revokes Greenfield after Community Organization's Petition

L'Observateur

September 5, 2021

Descendants Of The Enslaved Sheltered From Ida In A Historic Plantation's Big House

NPR

August 25, 2021

Residents Claim Grain Elevator would Violate Parish Zoning Ordinance

L'Observateur

July 30, 2021

Activists fight plans for industry expansion in ‘Cancer Alley’

thedenverchannel.com

July 7, 2021

Descendants Of Slaves Say This Proposed Grain Complex Will Destroy The Community

NPR

July 7, 2021

Descendants Of Slaves Say This Proposed Grain Complex Will Destroy The Community

NPR

June 7, 2021

Plantations aren’t paying reparations, but have started programs to give back to descendants

The Washington Post

June 4, 2021

“Green Activist” Investor and Former Tulane Trustee Board Member, Chris James, Pushes Toxic Grain Elevator in Majority Black Community

Big Easy Magazine - Voice of New Orleans

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