CORE PROJECT

New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward

Working to Transform New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward into a Model Community

Parts of New Orleans have not fully recovered from Hurricane Katrina

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, low-income neighborhoods such as the Lower Ninth Ward were left out of the city's renovation plans.


Twenty years after Katrina, only about a fifth of the Lower Ninth Ward's 20,000 pre-storm residents have returned.


The Lower Ninth Ward represents an historic center of New Orleans culture and the community resilience that has been part of New Orleans' fabric for generations.

Preserving and rebuilding it means honoring the families who built their lives there and maintaining the authentic cultural diversity that makes New Orleans itself.

Our Visit and Collaboration in New Orleans Lower Ninth Ward

Between 2023 and 2025, several members of my team and I traveled to the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans, a neighborhood affectionately called "Lower Nine" or "Lower9" by its residents.


During this period, we worked closely with members of the local community.

Together, we discussed and shared ideas for revitalizing the area, focusing on a collective vision for its restoration.

Our approach centered on collaboration and open dialogue, ensuring that the aspirations and insights of residents guided our efforts toward rebuilding a stronger, more vibrant Lower Ninth Ward.

What We Found in the Lower Ninth Ward Community

While speaking with the residents, it was clear that their love for their community remained strong. We arrived during the Lower Ninth Ward Festival, a community- organized event aimed at bringing in resources and support.


My team and I engaged with various vendors at the festival that provided the community with information on health and wellness, education, job opportunities, and different programs available to the community.

The heartfelt dedication and inspiration shown by the vendors for Lower9 were truly remarkable.

Why New Orleans Lower 9th Ward?

“I grew up spending many summers with my grandparents, who lived in the Lower Ninth Ward. Everyone referred to my grandfather as the Godfather of the Lower Ninth Ward or simply the Lower Nine as locals often call the community."

People in the neighborhood frequently turned to my grandfather for help with their mortgages, groceries, utilities, or other financial emergencies. If a teenager got into trouble and ended up in jail, their parents would call on my grandfather. He would speak with the judge and help get the child released. Together with the parents and the community, they would work to get the teen back on track."

  • A note from Valeri

    My grandmother also played a significant role in assisting those in need.


    Everyone was always welcome to get food from my grandmother’s restaurant, and neighbors often visited her at home. My grandparents owned two restaurants, and my grandmother was an accomplished cook.


    After my parents divorced, my dad moved in with his new wife in the Lower Nine. He became well-known for his music throughout New Orleans and in several countries. We spent some summers with my dad, his baby daughter, and his two stepchildren, and we all got along very well.


    My grandparents built their own house from the ground up. Other members of the community joined in to help. Neighbors would purchase land, and a group of craftsmen—pumpers, bricklayers, electricians, and carpenters—would come together to assist one another in building homes. Most people in the Lower Nine were homeowners. Many people in the community grew various vegetables and fruits, and many kept chickens and ducks.


    If anyone lacked something, there was always a neighbor willing to help.

    Multiple small grocery stores were available nearby; residents often "made groceries" on credit with store owners, who would keep track of their debts. Customers would pay when they received their next paycheck. The neighborhood mechanic, Straughter, was known to fix everyone's cars; if someone had car trouble, everyone knew how to reach him.


    The Lower Ninth Ward had seamstress, tailors, business owners, teachers, and builders among its residents. Local doctors even made house calls in emergencies. The community was largely self-sustaining. Together, the community worked to instill values of respect for God, family, and the neighborhood in children.


    I believe this strong sense of community is why many well-known individuals emerged from the Lower Nine. Mahalia Jackson, a famous gospel singer, once lived on Tennessee Street there. The late Fats Domino, a renowned musician and singer, family continues to reside in the Lower Ninth Ward. The NBA player Eldridge Recasner and NFL star Marshall Faulk, my dad, Eddie Bo, musician and singer, are also among those who grew up in this vibrant community.


    The Lower Ninth Ward was one of the hardest areas hit by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, resulting in many residents losing their homes. Tragically, some lost their lives during the storm, while others moved away due to the devastation. Nevertheless, the community remains strong, and many people are actively working to rebuild. It was once a vibrant neighborhood with a rich history.


    Given this strong sense of community, we can collaborate to transform the New Orleans Lower Ninth Ward into a self-sustaining model that other cities can emulate, helping them thrive as well.

    By reviving the community's history, we can create future legends and legacies.


    Remember, “It Takes a Village to Elevate a Community.”

HOW WE'RE HELPING

There were six (6) schools in the Lower Ninth ward before Hurricane Katrina. Now, there are only two (2) schools, Martin Luther King Elementary and Martin Luther King High Schools.

Unfortunately, the Martin Luther King High School we were working with was closed due to budget cuts. This school was an ideal model for implementing additional programs aimed at providing sustainable career pathways for students across the United States and around the world. Since the high school building closed, the community has been concerned about its vacancy. To prevent the building from being left vacant, it was given to the New Orleans Police Department. The New Orleans Police Department will also be a vital part of building up the community.


Therefore, there is no high school building. It is crucial to have a high school in a community to ensure it is sustainable and thrives. The staff at Martin Luther King High School was dedicated to their students. They offered gaming and coding programs to help prepare students for careers in engineering. The high school also had a medical laboratory. The medical lab allowed students interested in becoming doctors, nurses, radiologists, EMTs, and more to gain essential skills.


Additionally, the coaching staff successfully guided various sports teams, and the band instructor was one of the best in New Orleans. The students loved their teachers and school staff, making it feel more like a second family than just an educational institution. We took the students on a field trip to NASA to explore future careers. Although the high school is currently closed, we are still committed to supporting our students by providing assistance with food, transportation, emergencies, leadership opportunities, and various training programs.

Building a New Sustainable Education System for Future Careers

Community Leaders Engage with Students to Discuss Future Careers

HOW WE'RE HELPING

Our program is dedicated to helping students recognize and nurture their innate gifts and talents. Instead of simply preparing students for jobs that may lead to boredom or dissatisfaction, we focus on their natural abilities to ensure their long-term success.


For instance, if a student expresses interest in the medical field, we help them identify specific career paths such as doctor, nurse, radiologist, or EMT. Similarly, if students are interested in aviation, law, politics, sports, computers, or engineering, we work to prepare them for the various fields that excite them.


We begin by meeting students where they are, addressing their personal, family, and financial needs to ensure they aren't struggling. It is important that students are free to focus on learning, short and long term goals. We understand that some students require basic necessities such as food, clothing, uniforms, cell phones, and identification. Our program mentors and supports students from high school through college and into entrepreneurship, guiding them towards success.

Helping Students Succeed Through Young Adulthood

Lower Ninth Ward Students Tour NASA to Explore Future Careers

NEW ORLEANS LOWER9 FAMILY PROJECT

Strengthening families is a key factor in building a strong community. Our goal is to help families become self-sufficient, resilient, and productive. As the saying goes, "Teach a person to fish, they will never go hungry."

During our work with the high school students, we had the opportunity to meet their parents. We discovered that many parents were struggling to meet their day-to-day, weekly, and monthly needs. Some were utilizing various programs for food, clothing, transportation, mortgages, and rent, which greatly aided the families.


We realized that with just a little more assistance, these parents could become more self-sufficient. We observed how the two local schools’ staff already supported parents by providing help with students' lunches, transportation, and free school uniforms. The school asked us to assist one family, and we saw this as an opportunity to explore what it would take to help them as a model for future support for other families.

Making Families Resilient and Productively Sustainable

NEW ORLEANS TEAM

Executive Steering Committee

Valeri Bocage

President/CEO & Community Developer

Dr. Carolyn Scott

San Francisco Commissioner, National Community Activist

Dr. Denise Strong

Former Administrator/ Professor, University of New Orleans Nonprofit Advisor

Gail Glapion

Former President , New Orleans School Board / Former Executive Director YWCA , Community Activist

Together, we can make a difference