Past & ongoing initiatives
Liberation Labyrinth
The Liberation Labyrinth will be a contemplative garden themed “land as liberation,” honoring the histories of Indigenous and Black communities who cultivated, resisted, and found refuge in the land. It will commemorate Native peoples, enslaved gardeners, Maroon communities, Union soldiers, and the founders of Freetowns, churches, and schools, while evoking the Mississippi River’s pre-colonial landscape.
Designed in collaboration with the Midlo Center for New Orleans Studies, Design Jones, and community members, the Labyrinth affirms the land’s role in freedom struggles—past and present—and The Descendants Project is raising $2.5 million to bring this vision to life by 2027.
The Climate Resilience Hub
The Climate Resilience Hub will be a space that directly addresses emergency preparedness and disaster relief. This will be a community-centered space designed to mitigate climate emergencies such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding. Raphael House will provide essential resources such as cooling stations, first aid kits, animal care supplies, charging stations, Wi-Fi, and computers all run on solar panels and backup generators to guarantee uninterrupted operations during power outages.
The MOvement House
The Movement House, built in the 1940s and also known as the Olga House, affectionately named after Joy’s great aunt and godmother, will serve as a dedicated space for scholars, volunteers, and guests who wish to learn from and contribute to the descendant community of Wallace. Originally inspired by archaeology students conducting research on the cabins at Evergreen Plantation, the concept for the Movement House emerged as a way to support ongoing programs and community-based research. The Movement House provides lodging and workspace for those engaged in historical study, cultural preservation, environmental justice, and community service, deepening the connection between research and the local community.
