In a vibrant celebration marked by a second-line parade, New Orleans unveiled a historic marker under the Claiborne overpass, commemorating a once-thriving Black business district. The marker stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of a community uprooted decades ago by the construction of Interstate 10, a project that destroyed a hub of Black entrepreneurship and culture.

The bustling stretch of Claiborne Avenue was once the lifeblood of Black New Orleans, a thriving corridor of shops, theaters, pharmacies, and other businesses that flourished from the 1830s until the 1970s. Barred from shopping on Canal Street due to segregation, Black residents built their own economic stronghold under a canopy of oak trees, fostering a self-sufficient community that served generations. This cultural and economic vitality came to a sudden halt when highway expansion plans began to encroach on the area.

The development of Interstate 10 marked the demise of Claiborne Avenue’s prosperity. The first signs of upheaval were the oak trees being cut down, followed by the displacement of businesses and families. For those who lived through it, the destruction was abrupt and deeply traumatic. “It was a devastation for those of us that were here,” said Raynard Sanders, executive director of the Claiborne Avenue History Project. He recalled the lack of warning before the project began, with trees disappearing overnight and the community left reeling.

The marker, a project of the Plessy and Ferguson Initiative in partnership with community organizations, pays homage to the district’s significance. Founded by descendants of the men involved in the landmark Plessy vs. Ferguson case that institutionalized segregation, the initiative seeks to preserve and promote the history of Black resilience. Keith Plessy, a descendant of Homer Plessy, highlighted the marker’s role in honoring the businesses, trees, and people who thrived in the area before the interstate altered the landscape.

While the physical district no longer exists in its original form, its legacy endures in the spirit of modern efforts to uplift local Black businesses. The marker’s placement and accompanying celebrations not only commemorate a rich history but also inspire hope for a renewed sense of community and empowerment along Claiborne Avenue.