Jo Banner

The Descendants Project

Founder/Director

expertise:

state: LA
city: Wallace
LGBTQ: NO
Tribal Affiliation: NO
languages: English
race + ethnicity: Black, African-American, Afro-Caribbean, African or African descendant
Jo is an environmental justice advocate and expert with a deep connection to tradition and a recognition of liberation through nature. She utilizes both a Bachelors's and Master's degree in Communications to protect Louisiana’s people and its environment fiercely. Jo founded The Descendants Project, where she now channels her affection and knowledge into challenging systems, primarily legal systems that have exploited the descendants, such as herself, of those enslaved to plantations. She is now working to gain recognition of the burial grounds of the enslaved as sacred sites and aims to protect such sites and their communities from degradation, especially degradation caused by heavy industry. As a resident of Louisiana’s Cancer Alley, Jo champions environmental justice causes and is actively developing strategies to transform land slated for use by pollutant-causing industries into green spaces where communities like hers can thrive. Jo works with several industries, including entertainment and tourism, to develop job options outside the petrochemical industry. Jo knows the devastating effects of climate change by experiencing climate disasters, such as Hurricane Ida, which left her without electricity for weeks. She assisted her region in its storm recovery by collecting and distributing supplies, generators, and tarping roofs while managing her recovery. Through the Descendants Project, she is creating a cooling/power station for residents as they recover from the aftermath of hurricanes.

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