#IAmNewOrleans: Inspiring conversation and action

In late 2019, Kellogg Foundation grantees in New Orleans spoke with us on camera about their collective work to create a child-centered city. Months later, the pandemic hit, exacerbating the inequities facing New Orleans’ children, families and communities. 

We sat down with our partners – this time by Zoom – to ask how our collection of stories could support the community during these unprecedented months – now nearly two years later.

What emerged is I Am New Orleans, a community-led campaign to discuss local issues of racial equity. Fueled by a virtual platform sharing these stories of New Orleans, the campaign created space for community members to have real – and sometimes difficult – conversations around the inequities in the systems that impact children and families most: access to healthy foods, early childhood education, breastfeeding supports, small business supports and workforce development, among others.