The Ella Project will present The State of New Orleans Culture: 20 Years After Katrina, a public panel discussion examining how artists and culture bearers have helped shape the city’s recovery and resilience in the decades since the 2005 disaster. The event takes place  5-8 p.m. Aug. 28  at the New Orleans Jazz Museum and will be moderated by journalist and documentarian Lolis Eric Elie.

The discussion will explore how New Orleans’ cultural community has led the city forward through disaster, recovery, and transformation, while confronting ongoing challenges such as gentrification, affordable housing shortages, the insurance crisis, and the lasting impacts of the pandemic.

The panel will feature notable cultural leaders and community advocates, including musician and Big Chief Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes, To Be Continued Brass Band founder Edward Jackson, Social Aid & Pleasure Club Task Force president Tamara Jackson, Neighborhood Development Foundation director Fred Johnson, writer and music historian Jordan Hirsch, Grammy-winning trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis and Big Chief Howard Miller of the Creole Wild West Mardi Gras Indians.

The evening will begin with a reception from 5-6 p.m., followed by the panel discussion from 6-8 p.m. in the museum’s third-floor performance space. The event is free and open to the public and will also be livestreamed in partnership with the New Orleans Jazz Museum.

The Ella Project, a New Orleans–based nonprofit providing pro bono legal assistance, arts business development, and cultural advocacy, continues its mission of supporting Louisiana artists, musicians, and grassroots nonprofits through events like this one, serving over 1,000 clients annually from its offices at the Jazz Museum.