New Orleans aka ‘The Big Easy’ is said to be one of the oldest American cities for African Americans and Black culture. The city is still filled with so much history and culture.
Here are 5 ways for you to have the ultimate Black experience while in NOLa.
Eat soul food at one of the historic black restaurants.
If there’s one thing that you should do while in New Orleans, it’s eat! If you ask anyone, they will tell you that New Orleans is home to some of the best cuisine in the States and maybe even the world. You can try some of the best soul food and New Orleans staples at one of many historically black restaurants.
Dooky Chase’s opened in 1941 as a sandwich shop by Emily and Dooky Chase,Sr.. Even to this day, the restaurant is still owned and ran by the family.
The Praline Connection was started in 1990 by Cecil and Curtis as a meal delivery service for working women who were too busy to prepare home cooked meals. Today they have two locations serving down home, Cajun-creole, style soul food.
Visit Studio BE to get a feel of the black experience through art.
Located at 2941 Royal Street, Studio BE was created by visual artist and filmmaker Brandon “B-Mike” Odums. Odums uses art to tell stories and make statements that transform the minds of viewers. Most of his work is done in spray paint and depicts the black experience.
Listen to live jazz and street bands.
Outside of its famous cuisine, New Orleans attracts many visitors through its history of live music. The Big Easy is most known as the birthplace of jazz.
At any given moment you can catch live music being played somewhere in the city. Take a stroll down the infamous Bourbon Street to catch a live band any time of day.
Head over to Frenchmen Street to catch the brass band cranking out tunes on the corner at night, while drawing a large crowd to dance along.
Eat some of the nation’s best fried chicken at the National Fried Chicken Festival.
Fried chicken, dranks, and live music…what more do you need? That’s what you will find at the National Fried Chicken Fest.
Founder Cleveland Spears III brought this festival to life in 2016. In it’s 3rd year, the festival recently grew a crowd of around 200,000 attendees. It featured 35 vendors frying up some of the nation’s best fried chicken and side dishes.
This year’s music headliner was New Orleans native, Dj Mannie Fresh. Last year (2017) it was Big Freedia, so I can only imagine who he will have in the years to come.
It is a free event and is held in late September.
Learn about New Orleans Black history at one of several museums or parks.
New Orleans is rich in history. There are several museums to check out to learn more about this culturally rich city and its contribution to Black America:
McKenna Museum of African American Art
Also, be sure to stroll around the Treme neighborhood which is said to be the oldest black neighborhood in America. While there, walk over to Congo Square/Louis Armstrong Park and take a stroll or participate in the Sunday drumming circles.
