UPCOMING
EVENTS
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A Radical Care of Imagination featuring A.J. Haynes - a Birthrite Exhibition
A Radical Care of Imagination featuring A.J. Haynes - a Birthrite Exhibition
Step into a powerful celebration of creativity, care, and cultural storytelling at the 2026 Birthrite Exhibition. Hosted by the Ashé Cultural Arts Center, this dynamic showcase invites visitors to explore the intersections of imagination, identity, and radical care through compelling visual and experiential works.
At the heart of the exhibition is The Mothership by A.J. Haynes, a thought-provoking piece that reimagines nurturing, futurity, and collective healing through a bold artistic lens. Paired with the exhibition’s broader theme, A Radical Care of Imagination, the experience challenges audiences to reflect on how creativity can serve as a tool for transformation and empowerment.
Featured Artists: A.J. Haynes, Abijah Wood-Dawson, Alicia Johnson-Black, Alphonse Waples, Angela Franklin, Antoine Prince, Bailey Hutchison, Carlos Talbott, Catherine Broussard, Charlie Vaughn, Cherice Harrison-Nelson, Christine Domingue Bagneris, Courtlyn Sholar, Danielle Keys, Darlene Bigus-Doheny, Dionne Ray, Dominique Nantambu, Dyvonne Burton, Elizabeth Arias, Ellen Cruz-Hampton, Emre Karaglue, Estelle Lewis, Gabrielle Tolliver, Georgia Gresham, Jamie Chiarello, Jasimen Phillips, Kamahl Grant, Kara Rayes, Kennedy Sarrazin, Makayla Howard, Malaika Burke, Maya Pen, Melody Daniels, Michon Siraj, N'iya'Oni, Nana Kumi, Pam Goncalves, Saragine Valris, Sean Clark, Shaina Simmons, Sharika Mahdi, Shannon Foley, Timya James, Tracey Elizabeth Taylor, Valentin Valris
On View: April 18, 2026 – October 8, 2026
Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Location: Ashé Cultural Arts Center | 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd
Ashé’s open mic night at the Adinkra Lounge
FRIDAY NIGHT OPEN MIC NIGHT at Adinkra Lounge!
Pull up and catch a whole vibe with us as the incredible Charlie V. aka Uptownz Illest holds it down on the mic!
Come share your art, hear some amazing voices, and be surrounded by culture, creativity, and community right here Uptown. Good food. Good drinks. Good people. Great art.
What more could you want on a Friday night? Pull up on us!
• Adinkra Lounge | 1719 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd
• $5 Entry | Doors open at 9:00 PM!
ARTIST CALL: Submissions for THE BLACK PAPERS
The Black Papers is a qualitative storytelling, visual arts, and creative writing project conceptualized by Donney Rose of Artists At Work spearheaded by the Ashé Cultural Arts Center’s ‘I Deserve It’ program in response to quantitative data found in medical white papers. Drawing from recorded narratives, visual art, creative writing, and poetry submitted by community members, The Black Papers will provide creative context to the lived experiences of Black New Orleanians impacted by inequities in health care in efforts to address the 25-year life expectancy gap between white and Black New Orleanians.
We are looking for poets, creative writers, storytellers, visual artists, musicians, community members (filmed testimonials) in response to data from white papers around the following healthcare issues impacting Black New Orleanians: heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, hypertension, cancer, diabetes, mental illnesses. Submissions should either represent the artist's lived experience with one of these ailments, or their experience caring for a loved one dealing with one of these ailments.
Submissions should be available to be displayed in digital and physical (print) format. Selected participants' work will be featured in print copies of The Black Papers, online, and will be invited to participate in future symposiums, panels, and related events.
SUBMISSION PERIOD: AUGUST 3-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026; THE BLACK PAPERS launch: Early November
Youth Townhall
Youth Townhall
Join us for an engaging and impactful Youth Townhall designed to amplify young voices, foster meaningful conversations, and inspire community action. Hosted by YFFA/YCHC in partnership with Ashé Cultural Arts Center, The Center for Black Health & Equity, PolicyLink, this event brings together youth, community leaders, and advocates to discuss issues that matter most for the future.
We're honored to welcome Special Guest Senator Royce Duplessis, who will share insights on leadership, civic engagement, and creating opportunities for young people across Louisiana. If you're passionate about education, health equity, public policy, or community change this town hall is for you!
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Ashé Powerhouse Theater, 1731 Baronne St., New Orleans, LA 70113
• Refreshments will be provided •
Clockshop Subterranean Convergence: 3D-Scanning and Storytelling Workshop
Clockshop is excited to partner with Ashé Cultural Arts Center to extend our series of 3D-scanning workshops to the South, where the southern transcontinental railroad route originates. Bring an object to scan that carries personal meaning and reflects your sense of home as part of our open call for subterranean convergence, an upcoming artist commission by LaRissa Rogers. LaRissa and her collaborator Angel Adams Parham will guide us in sharing stories about the meaning of the items you bring and their connection to your family history while a technician assists you in scanning your heirloom. This process centers storytelling as a form of memory-keeping and collective knowledge production.
Thursday, July 9, 2026
6:00–8:00 PM at Ashé Cultural Arts Center (Ashe I)
1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113
2026 MAAFA Commemoration
The annual New Orleans MAAFA Commemoration is a community remembrance event, a moment to reckon with the horrors of the Transatlantic and Domestic Slave Trades, and a release from the chains of its legacy. MAAFA is a Kiswahili word meaning “horrific tragedy” and refers to the period known as The Middle Passage. This year’s event presented by Ashé Cultural Arts Center is on Saturday, July 4, 2026 at 7:00am, beginning at Congo Square (701 N Rampart St.)
This year’s theme is Anchored by the Ancestors—a tribute to the timeless legacy of those whose strength, wisdom, and perseverance continue to guide our path. Across generations, our ancestors have carried the stories, traditions, and values that define our culture, leaving an indelible imprint on our collective journey. Their sacrifices became our foundation; their dreams became our inheritance. As we gather in their honor, we celebrate the enduring connection between past, present, and future, firmly rooted in the legacy of those who came before and empowered by the possibilities that lie ahead.
MAAFA identifies historically-significant locations of New Orleans’ own history as a major slave market, such as Esplanade Avenue and The Tomb of the Unknown Slave in Tremé. In closing, we say the names of those enslaved and free, victims of tragic events, senseless violence, as well as all those who were, so that we might be.
All white attire is preferred. The local community and visitors are invited to attend this commemoration event of healing, testimony, and celebration of our ancestors, existence, and survival.
Open Mic Night & Dance Party
Night. Community. Vibes.
Joy Is Our Journey is pulling up to Ashé with Culture In Motion and YOU don’t want to miss this one!
Live performances
The Apollo’s SUPERCHARGED Boost Bus
FREE custom t-shirts (while supplies last)
Complimentary food (while supplies last)
Swag & giveaways
Family activities
Open Mic + Dance Party featuring some of OUR finest!
Grab your people, pull up, and celebrate the creativity, culture, and joy that makes New Orleans...New Orleans
FREE event! RSVP Here tinyurl.com/JoyIsOurJourney
#JoyIsOurJourney#CultureInMotion#ApolloTheater#AshéCulturalArtsCenter#WeAnchorTheCulture
Digital Palette: Social Media & Marketing | AI Technology, 3D Printing, & Design
Creatives, this is your sign!
Side by Side Saturday: SBS Meeting + Workshop
Join us for an inspiring and hands-on Side by Side Saturday at Ashé Cultural Arts Center! Whether you're a returning member or new to the creative community, this session is designed to energize, connect, and equip you with practical skills.
Digital Palette: Social Media & Marketing | AI Technology, 3D Printing, & Design
Led by marketing strategist Carrita Cloud and creative technologist Marcus Rosser, participants will explore practical strategies for building an authentic artist brand, telling their story online, and using social media to attract opportunities and collaborators, while also discovering the exciting capabilities of AI and the integration of 3D design within the creative process.
Connect with fellow creatives, gain practical tools, and leave with clear next steps to build success. Become a Side by Side Member at Ashé and stand with a community that’s building, dreaming, and creating together.
11AM–1PM | June 20, 2026
$30 entry | Free for Side By Side Members
Carrita Cloud is an award-winning marketing strategist, entrepreneur, and Founder & CEO of Creativity Justified, a full-service advertising and marketing agency dedicated to helping organizations, entrepreneurs, and creatives grow through strategic storytelling, branding, and digital engagement. Over the past decade, she has helped businesses and community-focused organizations strengthen their visibility, connect with their audiences, and transform ideas into impactful brands. Instagram: @carritacloud
Marcus Rosser is a creative technologist, artist, and founder of Rosser NFT Gallery. He enjoys helping people discover how technology can support their creativity, whether through AI, 3D printing, digital art, or emerging tech. His sessions are hands-on, beginner-friendly, and focused on real-world tools that participants can start using right away. Expect to experiment, ask questions, and walk away with new skills and inspiration for your own creative projects. Instagram: @mr_rosser
2026 Favorite Fathers Awards
Ashé Cultural Arts Center and Fathers Matters are proud co-sponsors of this year’s Favorite Fathers event. This powerful event will spotlight men across the city of New Orleans who are great father figures.
The Reception and Recognition Ceremony will take place on Friday, June 19 from 7pm - 9pm. Open only to nominated fathers and their families.
Why the Favorite Fathers & program?
Fathers are the foundation of strong families. We are debunking the myth of the absentee black father! There are countless numbers of men who have gone above and beyond to be great fathers to their children and youth in community. Often, these fathers go unrecognized for the good things they do. The Favorite Fathers of the New Orleans area will showcase role model fathers who are making vital contributions as parents and men in the community. We need YOU to nominate fathers to receive Favorite Father Awards of 2026.
Side By Side Saturday
Let us come together side by side to mix, mingle, and connect with creatives from across the community as we set the tone for an exciting year ahead. This gathering is all about building relationships, sharing ideas, and developing strategies as we prepare for future events, exhibitions, workshops, and more.
Creativity + Community: Celebrating AAW Artists in New Orleans
Ashé Cultural Arts Center and Artists At Work invite you to an evening celebrating New Orleans-based AAW Artists!
May 15 at 5:30 PM
Ashé Cultural Arts Center’s Powerhouse
Come see performances by AAW Artists Cherice Harrison-Nelson, Greer Mendy, Donney Rose, and A. J. Haynes, alongside a moderated roundtable conversation with the artists reflecting on the role of artists in advancing health equity and strengthening community well-being.
RSVP Here: https://www.artists-at-work.org/new-orleans-2025
Free Event - Drinks and bites will be provided.
We hope to see you there!
Pieces of Her
Join us for a deeply intentional and heart centered gathering honoring the love, memory, and legacy of mothers, especially those who are no longer physically with us. Pieces of Her offers a gentle and sacred space for reflection, connection, and healing within community.
Featuring a soulful atmosphere and sounds by Legatron Prime, this experience is rooted in culture, remembrance, and restoration, all held in a nurturing and community centered environment.
Surrounded by warmth, culture, care, you are invited to take part in a guided satchel workshop led by Path of Awakenings. During this experience, you will create a personalized keepsake using stones, herbs, and meaningful elements. You are welcome to bring a small item that reminds you of your mother, something that can fit inside a 3x4 satchel, to include in your creation.
Cinco de Mayo Day Party GiveNOLA Day Celebration
Join Ashé Cultural Arts Center for a vibrant Cinco de Mayo Day Party in honor of GiveNOLA Day. Celebrate community, culture, and giving while supporting a powerful mission rooted in art, equity, and empowerment.
Tuesday, May 5
1 PM to 6 PM
Adinkra Courtyard, 1719 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd
For 27 years, Ashé has thrived at the intersection of community, culture, and commerce, uplifting the African Diaspora through art and advocacy. Your support helps sustain and expand meaningful work across New Orleans.
Your donation supports transformative programs and direct services including I Deserve It Wellness, Kuumba Youth Academy, and the Alliance for Cultural Equity, all designed to foster equitable practices, human development, civic engagement, and economic empowerment. Your giving also sustains gallery and performance spaces that create opportunities for the curation, exhibition, and commission of fine, folk, and fine folk art.
Dr. Foots' "Master of The Forge" Memorial Service
Celebrating the Life of DOCTOR FOOTS
March 5, 1947 – December 10, 2025
The Booth Family & Ashé Cultural Arts Center invite you to celebrate the life and legacy of Doctor Foots — master jewelry designer, craftsman, and cultural preservationist.
For over 45 years, Doctor Foots created powerful, one-of-a-kind wearable art inspired by ancient African metal traditions, including Egyptian, Nubian, and Benin bronze casting. A proud participant in the Black Arts Movement, he remained devoted to handcrafted artistry, honoring heritage, spirituality, and creative integrity in every piece.
Join us as we honor his spirit, his artistry, and his enduring impact.
Tuesday, April 28 | 12PM–4PM
Starts at Ashé Powerhouse (1731 Baronne St)
Procession to Adinkra Lounge (1719 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd)
Guests are encouraged to adorn themselves in Doctor Foots jewelry as we celebrate a true Master of the Forge.
MAMA SAID
As a lead-in to Ashé’s 2026 Birthrite exhibition A Radical Imagination of Care, the Friday Night Open Mic in collaboration with Artists At Work excitedly presents Mama Said, an evening of poetry and performance art that centers mothering in its various forms.
Mama Said is in celebration of National Poetry Month, and the kickoff to Black Maternal Health Week. Our featured poet, Sha’Condria “Icon” Sibley, is an internationally renown spoken word poet whose work has been featured on TV One's Verses and Flow, Huffington Post, For Harriet, Teen Vogue, and BBC World Radio, and has graced the main stages of the Essence Music Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and French Quarter Festival.
In addition to Icon’s feature, the mic will be open for performances and expressions that uplift all ways of mothering: from birthing to chosen familyhood, from loss to liberation.
Hosted by Artists At Work members, A.J. Haynes and Donney Rose.
Kuumba Academy 2026 Summer Program
Kuumba Academy 2026 Summer Program
At Ashé Cultural Arts Center, we believe every child carries a spark of brilliance, and at Kuumba Academy, we create the space for that spark to grow, shine, and take root.
Our 2026 Summer Program offers a vibrant, culturally grounded experience where youth ages 5–15 are nurtured through creativity, community, and connection. From June 15 through July 31, 2026, campers will be immersed in a dynamic environment that honors African traditions while encouraging self-expression, confidence, and joy.
Each day, our young creatives engage in art, music, African drumming, dance, gardening, and social development, all guided by talented local teaching artists and culture bearers. Through field trips, special guest artists, and hands-on learning, campers don’t just participate—they experience culture, build community, and discover new parts of themselves.
We understand the importance of supporting families, which is why Kuumba Academy provides a full-day program from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with optional aftercare available until 5:00 PM. Campers are nourished daily with a healthy breakfast and hot lunch, ensuring they are fueled to learn, play, and grow.
This is more than a summer camp, it is a rite of passage, a space where tradition meets creativity, and where every child is seen, valued, and inspired.
Program Details:
📅 June 15 – July 31, 2026
👥 Ages 5–15
🕗 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Aftercare: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
🍽️ Breakfast & hot lunch provided daily
🎨 Daily cultural arts instruction + Field Trip Fridays
👕 Includes 1(one) Kuumba Camp T-shirt
📌 Important Dates:
Registration Opens: April 10, 2026
Registration Closes: June 3, 2026
Parent Orientation: June 4, 2026
Green with Indie: Let There Be! A Night of Spoken Word & Music
Green with Indie: Let There Be!
Get ready for an unforgettable night of spoken word and music, all happening in person! Whether you’re into heartfelt poetry or groovy tunes, this event’s got you covered. Come hang out, vibe with creative souls, and let the words and melodies inspire you. Don’t miss out on Green with Indie – where art meets passion. Dive into an evening where raw poetry meets indie vibes for a night full of soul and sound!
Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 7:00pm - 9:30pm
Ashé Powerhouse Theater | 1731 Baronne Street, New Orleans, LA 70113
General Admission: $25 |V.I.P. Reserved Seating: $50
Healthy Start Community Baby Shower
Rooted in Culture… Growing Healthy Families
Healthy Start New Orleans invites you to our Community Baby Shower, a joyful celebration honoring families welcoming new life!
Join us on March 21, 2026, from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM at the Ashé Cultural Arts Center for an afternoon filled with love, support, and community connection. This special event is designed to uplift and empower expecting parents and families with valuable resources and a warm village of support.
What to Expect:
Giveaways & Door Prizes
Local Vendors & Family Resources
Blood Pressure Screenings
Live Music
Baby Bounce Fun
Light Refreshments
We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
30th Anniversary NCA Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Art Exhibition CLOSING
Join us for the closing reception of the 30th Anniversary National Conference of Artists Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Art Exhibition.
This year's theme, "Love in action: African Roots-American Fruits," focuses on the deep connections between African heritage and American culture, showcasing their enduring impact. This event will feature a blend of art exhibitions and insightful discussions designed to engage and inspire. The exhibition is on view at Ashé Cultural Arts Center (1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd) and the Ashé Power House Theatre (1731 Baronne St).
Featured Artists: Roderick Anderson, Darlene Biggs-Dohehy, Jess Coleman, David Cotton, Justice Dalce, Melody Daniels, Montrell Dent, Clifton Faust, DiQuan Forcell, Ravyn Ford, Barianne Franks, Merry Nell Fullmer, Richard Gerber, Rickey Henry, Theresa Herrera, Vandorn Hinnant, Barbara Hodges, Leroy Hodges, Charlie T. Johnson, Louise Mouton Johnson, Pat Jolly, Kevin Jones, Richard V. Keller Sr., Noah Kinigstein, Lauryn Landers, Britani Landry, Lauren Landry, Dyan Law, Cy’Nya Lewis, Kathleen McKinney-Franks, Angela McMillan, Don Nicholas, Juanita Nolosco, Angel Omoike, Valentine Pierce, Alma Powell, Antoine Prince, Nettie Roché, Marcus Rosser, Andrew Sheldon, Charles Simms, Karel Sloane-Boekbinder, Trinity Smith, Carlos Talbot, Clarence Talley, Cecelia Taplette-Pedescleaux, José Torres-Tama, Brandon Tate, Michel Varisco, Maria B. Victoire, Eric Waters, Ivan Watkins, Kyle Wilson
The MLK Commemorative Art Exhibition (MLK Exhibit) celebrates the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Civil Rights Movement, and those working to further peace and human understanding. Through the arts and related educational and cultural activities, it gives recognition to people around the world who work tirelessly to fight for peace, justice, and responsible environmental cohabitation. The exhibition is a partnership between the National Conference of Artists, Ashé Cultural Arts Center, New Orleans Martin Luther King Jr. Exhibition Council, and the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Foundation.
Kinfolk Conversations
Kinfolk Conversations is an intergenerational dialogue series in historically underserved Black and Brown communities of Greater New Orleans. Coordinated with the Ashé Cultural Arts Center, it aims to highlight health disparities, showcase youth art, and integrate elder wisdom.
Ashé on Mardi Gras Day!
Ashé Cultural Arts Center, in collaboration with Ujamaa Economic Development Corporation and Tambourine and Fan, proudly presents AfriCarnaval: Under the Bridge, a historic celebration of culture and community set to take place on Mardi Gras Day, February 17, 2026.
Located at the iconic Claiborne and Orleans Avenue intersection, AfriCarnaval: Under the Bridge will run from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and will offer a showcase of black carnival traditions and talent!
For more information contact: ericag@ashenola.org
2026 Birthrite Exhibition: A Radical Care of Imagination
An open call, rooted in care.
We’re inviting artists to submit visual work for our 2026 Birthrite Exhibition: A Radical Care of Imagination a celebration of creation, lineage, and the sacred act of bringing something new into the world.
This exhibition honors the tenderness, strength, and wisdom that lives in our bodies, our memories, and our mothering….whether of children, ideas, art, or futures not yet seen
If your work holds stories of birth, becoming, protection, or ancestral care, this call is for you.
ASHÉ’S OPEN MIC NIGHT AT THE ADINKRA LOUNGE
The mic is open, the vibe is right, and the spirit is Ashé!
Join Sweetie Magee THIS AND EVERY FRIDAY for Adinkra Lounge's Open Mic Night — where creativity, culture, and community meet.
9PM–12AM | 1719 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd
2026 National Day of Racial Healing
Join us for a powerful day of reflection, connection, and restoration as we come together to heal racial divide through wellness, truth, and community care. This gathering invites participants to engage in meaningful dialogue, embodied healing practices, and artistic expression rooted in justice and liberation.
Featured Workshops
Truth Be Told: Storytelling in Advocacy
Hosted by Community Health Worker Monica Millon
Explore how personal and collective storytelling can be a tool for healing, resistance, and social change.Know Your Rights Training
Facilitated by A.J. Haynes
An empowering session focused on awareness, protection, and community accountability.
Performance
By CHW Naydja CoJoe
Wellness Activation
Led by Bodi Buzz Health & Wellness
Lunch will be provided
This day is about coming together—across differences—to honor our shared humanity, strengthen our communities, and move forward in healing.
Free and open to the community.
30th Anniversary NCA Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Art Exhibition
Join us for the 30th Anniversary National Conference of Artists Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Art Exhibition.
This year's theme, "Love in action: African Roots-American Fruits," focuses on the deep connections between African heritage and American culture, showcasing their enduring impact. This event will feature a blend of art exhibitions and insightful discussions designed to engage and inspire. The exhibition is on view at Ashé Cultural Arts Center (1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd) and the Ashé Power House Theatre (1731 Baronne St).
Featured Artists: Roderick Anderson, Darlene Biggs-Dohehy, Jess Coleman, David Cotton, Justice Dalce, Melody Daniels, Montrell Dent, Clifton Faust, DiQuan Forcell, Ravyn Ford, Barianne Franks, Merry Nell Fullmer, Richard Gerber, Rickey Henry, Theresa Herrera, Vandorn Hinnant, Barbara Hodges, Leroy Hodges, Charlie T. Johnson, Louise Mouton Johnson, Pat Jolly, Kevin Jones, Richard V. Keller Sr., Noah Kinigstein, Lauryn Landers, Britani Landry, Lauren Landry, Dyan Law, Cy’Nya Lewis, Kathleen McKinney-Franks, Angela McMillan, Don Nicholas, Juanita Nolosco, Angel Omoike, Valentine Pierce, Alma Powell, Antoine Prince, Nettie Roché, Marcus Rosser, Andrew Sheldon, Charles Simms, Karel Sloane-Boekbinder, Trinity Smith, Carlos Talbot, Clarence Talley, Cecelia Taplette-Pedescleaux, José Torres-Tama, Brandon Tate, Michel Varisco, Maria B. Victoire, Eric Waters, Ivan Watkins, Kyle Wilson
The MLK Commemorative Art Exhibition (MLK Exhibit) celebrates the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Civil Rights Movement, and those working to further peace and human understanding. Through the arts and related educational and cultural activities, it gives recognition to people around the world who work tirelessly to fight for peace, justice, and responsible environmental cohabitation. The exhibition is a partnership between the National Conference of Artists, Ashé Cultural Arts Center, New Orleans Martin Luther King Jr. Exhibition Council, and the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Foundation.
(On | Un-)Becoming: A Book Talk & Conversation with FreeQuency— Moderated by Donney Rose
Ashé Cultural Arts Center presents (On | Un-)Becoming: A Book Talk & Conversation with FreeQuency, moderated by community poet and cultural worker Donney Rose.
This event celebrates FreeQuency’s latest work, an anti-disciplinary collection of reflections and offerings exploring the multifaceted concept of “(un)becoming” and its relationship to Blackness, migration, spirituality, and identity.
Come out for the good vibes and stay for our weekly Open Mic Night directly following.
Holiday on the Boulevard
Join us on Saturday, December 13 from 10AM-6PM for our FREE family-friendly festival and marketplace bringing community, artists, and local black-owned businesses together for a holiday celebration!
Holiday on the Boulevard uplifts the traditions of Kwanzaa and Christmas and provides a space to experience art, community, and the joys of giving and receiving. Enjoy a day of performances while shopping at our marketplace of local Black-owned businesses for holiday gift shopping!
Featuring both an in and outdoor marketplace offering unique art, handcrafted jewelry, clothing and holiday gifts from the Ashé Diaspora Boutique and local black-owned businesses, live performances and photos with Black Santa.
Ashé will also be hosting a Community Toy, Undergarment & Coat Drive for children in need this holiday season.
Holiday on the Boulevard is open to the public and free!
Holiday Community Toy, Coat and Thermal Wear Drive
From now until Saturday, December 13 Ashé will also be hosting a Community Toy, Coat & Thermal Wear Drive for children in need this holiday season.
Donate and uplift the traditions of Kwanzaa and Christmas by celebarting the joys of giving.
All items can be dropped off at Ashé’s main campus.
Losing Louisiana 2025: Climate Futures Southeast Plan for 2050
Saturday, November 15 | 9AM-5PM
AfroLuxe Courtyard | 1709 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.
Adinkra Lounge | 1719 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.
This year’s Losing Louisiana exhibition and assembly invites artists and our community to capture the sensory soul of Southeast Louisiana—its sounds, landscapes, and culture—all shaped by our ever-changing environment. From the hum of boat engines at dawn to the heartbeat of a second line, each piece and session will reflect the rhythm of life along our coast.
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, Losing Louisiana 2025: Climate Futures Southeast Plan for 2050 asks us to listen deeply, to see clearly, and to imagine the Louisiana of the future—one defined by resilience, creativity, and community in the face of rising waters and shifting land.
Assembly-At-A-Glance
☕ Breakfast at 9AM | Panels & Sessions 10AM – 5PM
🌅 Keynote: “From Climate Plans to Climate Justice: Building an Equitable Future for Louisiana”
⚡ Panel 1: Powering the Transition – Energy and Infrastructure
🌿 Panel 2: Tending the Land through Cultural Practices
🍽️ Networking Lunch & Resource Fair
✊ Workshops & Closing Plenary
STAY TUNED FOR THE ASSEMBLY PROGRAMING COMING SOON!
Losing Louisiana 2025 Exhibition Opening
Join us for the opening of Losing Louisiana: Soundscapes of Displacement — Migration & Cultural Echoes, a powerful new exhibition exploring the sensory identity of Southeast Louisiana and the communities who call it home. Through visual art, sound, memory, and culture, featured artists reflect on the realities of land loss, rising waters, and shifts in tradition — while envisioning the Louisiana we are fighting to protect.
Experience work that captures the heartbeat of our coast: the rhythms of second lines, the hum of waterways, the voices of generations, and the cultural echoes that remain even in moments of change. This exhibition invites us to honor what we have, acknowledge what is at risk, and imagine what resilience looks like moving forward.
BOOK LAUNCH: Counting Our Blessings
Please join us to celebrate the launch of our anthology Counting Our Blessings - a book that reclaims the Katrina narrative through the lens of humanity and hope.
Edited by Momma Carol Bebelle, Counting Our Blessings is a journey through the lives of 41 New Orleanians in the aftermath of the Katrina disaster. Their experiences and reflections offer a clarifying view of the assistance, promises, faith, relief, opportunities, compassion and empathy that helped to catapult them through the distress to better times. The collection works together to reveal the power of a bitter night in the deepest darkness, and it also teaches us the promise of humanity provoked into action by the sight of our fellow human beings in danger and distress as we continue to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the storm.
Community Wellness Hub Highlight with Heart
The Greater New Orleans American Heart Association has launched a community-based self-monitoring blood pressure initiative and cardiac emergency response plan with Ashé Cultural Arts Center, situated in New Orleans Central City.
Ashé offers a wellness hub offering healthcare services, overcoming transportation obstacles for those unable to visit healthcare providers regularly. Leaning on the power of collaboration and networking can help transform the health and wellness of our most at-risk communities.
Welcome & Opening Remarks by Coretta LaGarde, AHA GNO Executive Director
Panel Discussion
- Avis Gray, Ashé Cultural Arts Center
- Dr. Takiesha Davis, NOEH
- Courtney Scrubbs, Strategic Wellness Initiative
- Jessica Black, AHA National Senior Vice President of Community Impact
Hands-Only CPR Training
– Chelsea Morgan, GNO Vice President of Community Impact
CALL FOR ARTISTS! Losing Louisiana Exhibition: Soundscapes of Displacement: Migration & Cultural Echoes
Losing Louisiana 2025 is exploring the sights, sounds, and spirit of our changing coast.
This year’s Losing Louisiana exhibition invites artists to capture the sensory soul of Southeast Louisiana—its sounds, landscapes, and culture—all shaped by our ever-changing environment. From the hum of boat engines at dawn to the heartbeat of a second line, each piece reflects the rhythm of life along our coast. The exhibition asks us to listen deeply, to see clearly, and to imagine the Louisiana of the future—one defined by resilience, creativity, and community in the face of rising waters and shifting land.
Artwork will be judged on originality and work that engages with these realities while imagining new possibilities for Southeast Louisiana. How might coastal identities evolve? What new traditions might emerge alongside efforts to restore and protect our environment? What tales and tastes would endure in your memory if they were lost?
All artwork must be original and created entirely by the artist(s). The deadline for the Losing Louisiana Exhibition Artist Call is November 8, 2025.
The Turnaway Play
The Turnaway Play
Directed by R'Myni Watson
Written by Lesley Lisa Greene
Inspired by the Turnaway Study: Ten Years, a thousand women, and the consequences of having – or being denied – an abortion, by Diana Green Foster, PhD.
The Turnaway Play explores real-life stories of people navigating abortion, parenting, relationships, and the importance of representation and access within the systems that shape their choices.
Friday, September 26 at 7pm & Saturday, September 27 at 3pm & 7pm
9/27 – Saturday Panel Discussion with Lesley Greene, Diana Greene Foster, and Latona Giwa, moderated by R'Myni Watson, at Ashé; 4:45–6 pm
Ashé Cultural Arts Center
1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70113
EVENT CALENDAR
Ashé Cultural Arts Center creates, promotes, and hosts professional and community productions and events that explore and illuminate artistic distinction, community engagement, and a commitment to the African Diaspora and surrounding community.