The Lower Ninth Ward Economic Advancement and Development

The LEAD Project

The Lower Ninth Ward Economic Advancement and Development (LEAD) project addresses the need for equitable health-centered resources in the Lower Ninth Ward (LNW) area of New Orleans, Louisiana through alliances with community stakeholders and diverse partners. The LEAD project will serve as a model for community development with the empowerment of community members, transformation of space, and access to resources. The ultimate goal is to develop a model that disrupts socioeconomic barriers and promotes wellness in vulnerable populations.

The L9W is still recovering following its devastation from the 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster. Many residents have still not returned to the area, with a present population of 4,188 with 1,556 total households. Many food businesses in the Lower Ninth Ward do not offer fresh produce or healthy prepared foods while unhealthy options are common and aggressively marketed. Research shows that communities with the highest rates of food insecurity have a higher prevalence of diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. There is also a lack of economic growth and development in the Lower Ninth Ward, with pervasive blight and vacant lots, and over 60 percent of the neighborhood in need of development. We have identified neighborhood barriers and development needs through research of data from the New Orleans Data Center, direct communication with residents on their experiences and needs, and surveys of neighborhood makeup and status. We also referenced reports on the conditions of vulnerable neighborhoods in New Orleans. A 2007 report on food access by Tulane University states African American census tract neighborhoods were 71 percent less likely than other tracts to have access to a supermarket.

The LEAD project works to shift norms and systems that define current public policy and marketing practices, and have contributed to the development of fast-food culture. A result of limited fresh food access in a community for multiple generations may be poor attitudes on healthy food consumption, understanding of nutrition, and the transfer of adverse habits from parents to children. The LEAD project addresses sustainable growth and systemic change through a community-based approach with neighborhood residents at the forefront.

The goals of the LEAD project are to

engage community stakeholders and partners in inclusive knowledge exchange and planning work with leadership that focuses on community strengthening and honoring the history and culture of the area;
implement projects in the Lower Ninth Ward that support community sustainability using a place-based planning approach; and
connect Lower Ninth Ward neighborhood assets to support positive impact and neighborhood development. We will also accomplish our goals by convening with community stakeholders to share information and engage in planning as thought leaders and support action-oriented activities and catalyze development in the Lower Ninth Ward. We anticipate our outcomes to be the stimulation of business development in the area, the building of networks, and the identification of best practices for economic growth.

At Sankofa CDC, we believe in uplifting prosperity, health, and culture through community-led growth. To this end, we’ve collaborated with many organizations to help create a thriving community in the Lower Ninth Ward. These are just a few of the projects we’ve been working on.

Workforce Development

Sankofa CDC is partnering with JOB1 to offer a workforce development training program focused on green infrastructure jobs. This 3-month paid program will help participants prepare for the state horticulture licensing exam as well as give them valuable hands-on experience in green infrastructure.

Fresh Start Market

The Fresh Start Market will be a fresh produce corner store in the Lower Ninth Ward and will be the only convenience store in the area that offers fresh fruit and vegetables on a consistent basis. Its presence on a major thoroughfare in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans helps to increase access to healthy food choices in the area.

The Main Street Program

What is the Main Street Program?

The Main Street Program is a framework we’ll be using to help revitalize St. Claude Ave into an economically robust and culturally-rich official “main street.” By transforming St. Claude Ave into a main street, we hope to improve community access to healthy options, attract more economic development, and help the community grow sustainably.