Plessy and Ferguson Initiative

The Plessy & Ferguson Initiative preserves New Orleans’ civil rights history through public programming, memorialization, and community collaboration. Our work honors the Citizens’ Committee’s fight for full citizenship and connects the unfinished promises of Reconstruction to the struggles of today.

Founded by descendants of the landmark Supreme Court case, Plessy vs Ferguson, we work with communities to honor the people, places, and movements that challenged injustice—bringing overlooked or suppressed histories into public spaces.

One of our key initiatives is our Historical Marker Project. Inspired by author Keith Weldon Medley whose dream was to mark the New Orleans landscape with memorials that acknowledged the true history of African American achievement and resistance. Over the past 15 years, we have partnered with community members, institutions and state officials to place nine historical markers across New Orleans revealing untold stories from Reconstruction to the modern civil rights movement. We believe that when we tell the full story, we open the door to healing, understanding, and change.

Each year, we extend this work through Plessy Day, our annual public program that brings together students, artists, educators, and community members to engage history through dialogue, creativity, and shared learning. The annual event honors the work of Homer Plessy and the Citizens' Committees challenge to the unjust Separate Car Act.  

Today, we continue this work through education, public history, community engagement and speaking engagements nationwide—from elementary classrooms to courtrooms—our shared story of unity continues to inspire others to imagine what is possible.

Be part of the story.

Help us make history visible in the places it happened.

Your support helps us:

• Create new historical markers in partnership with communities
• Expand educational programs for students of all ages
• Preserve and share stories that have been overlooked or erased
• Advance reconciliation through truth-telling and public engagement

Testimonials

CEO Search For Common Ground

"We became aware of your work recently due to the publicity surrounding the La Board of Paroles unanimous approval of a pardon for Homer Plessy - an historic development that clearly would not have happened without your persistent advocacy - we feel a deep kinship with you and the principles that are so evident in your friendship and joint advocacy and activism. Your creation of the Plessy & Ferguson Initiative, your joint educational, public awareness, and policy advocacy efforts; and the wisdom of your activism to both remember and honor history while tirelessly working together for a better future are are all worthy of recognition and celebration."