L.U.M.I Roots
When youth know where they come from, they
walk with power into where they’re going.
Where ya at?
The BIG EASY baby!
L.U.M.I. Roots is where youth connect deeply to the culture, legacy, and heartbeat of New Orleans—a city that raised resistance, rhythm, and resilience. From Congo Square to second lines, from gumbo pots to Creole language, we explore the richness of our ancestors, our neighborhoods, and our unique heritage.
Through storytelling, music, food, dance, art, and field experiences, young people discover how powerful their roots are—and how much they carry within them. L.U.M.I. Roots helps youth understand where they come from (or where they live), so they can walk boldly into who they’re becoming.
This isn’t just history—it’s living culture. It’s community. It’s pride. It’s New Orleans.
The City of New Orleans
The youth should know about its hisorical Richness
🏙️ The History of New Orleans: A Legacy of Culture, Resistance & Creativity
New Orleans is more than a city—it’s a story of survival, soul, and strength.
Founded in 1718 by the French, then ruled by the Spanish, and eventually sold to the United States through the Louisiana Purchase, New Orleans has always been a place of layered identities. But the deepest roots of its power come from the people—especially the African, Afro-Creole, and Indigenous communities who shaped it.
From Congo Square, where enslaved Africans gathered on Sundays to drum, dance, and hold onto their culture, to the creation of jazz, the world’s most original musical art form, New Orleans has been a birthplace of expression and resistance.
Even in the face of oppression—through slavery, segregation, and Hurricane Katrina—the spirit of New Orleans has never stopped shining. Its streets sing with second lines. Its walls tell stories through murals. Its kitchens serve up more than food—they serve history, love, and legacy.
New Orleans is a city that feels. A place where culture isn’t just preserved—it’s lived.
And for the youth of today, especially those in L.U.M.I., understanding this history isn’t just about the past—it’s about pride, identity, and the power to carry that story forward.
🌿 Beliefs of L.U.M.I. Roots
We believe that knowing where you come from gives you the strength to decide where you're going.
Understanding heritage empowers youth to walk with pride, purpose, and direction.
We believe New Orleans is a classroom.
From the rhythms of Congo Square to the stories in the neighborhoods, every street holds a lesson in resilience, creativity, and culture.
We believe our roots are our power.
By learning our true history—beyond textbooks and timelines—youth reclaim identity and build confidence that lasts a lifetime.
We believe storytelling is medicine.
Through sharing our past, we heal, connect, and create a future worth remembering.
