Join us for the Ashé Rooftop Festival & Gala Volunteer Mixer! Learn how you can be part of the team bringing this year’s Rooftop Fest to life, meet fellow volunteers, and get connected to upcoming roles and opportunities.

Bring the energy. Build the magic. Be a volunteer!

• September 23, 2026
• 5 PM–7 PM
• Ashé Cultural Arts Center
• 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.

For more information, contact Zoie at zoie@ashenola.org.

Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard carries the name of a civil rights leader and community organizer whose legacy of advocacy and self-determination continues to define this corridor. AfroLuxe is envisioned as the next chapter of that legacy — a boutique hotel development built not apart from this community, but shaped by it.

Ashé Cultural Arts Center, the cultural anchor of the Boulevard for over two decades, is leading this effort in partnership with The Dottin-Haley Group, a consulting firm engaged to guide community input, engagement, and information-sharing throughout the process.

Our first public engagement event will be held Saturday, September 5, 2026, from 10am to 4pm, as part of a Labor Day Weekend cookout at Ashé.

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

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.

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

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

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. 

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

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 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 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

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.