Orleans Parish School Board establishes New Orleans Black Education History Week, a first-of-its-kind annual observance launching November 15–20, 2026

(Black PR Wire) NEW ORLEANS — One hundred years after Carter G. Woodson pioneered Negro History Week, New Orleans is establishing a week of its own.

BE NOLA (Black Education for New Orleans) will host a press conference Tuesday, September 15, from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. to announce the inaugural New Orleans Black Education History Week (NOBEHW), November 15–20, 2026. Established by Orleans Parish School Board resolution, the annual observance will celebrate the history, legacy and future of Black education in New Orleans.

“Black education has always been a defining part of the story of New Orleans. New Orleans Black Education History Week gives us the opportunity to make that history visible — not simply as something to remember, but as a living legacy that continues to shape how we educate, empower and see our children,” said Adrinda “Drin” Kelly, Executive Director, BE NOLA.

The press conference will take place at the Tate, Etienne, Prevost (TEP) Center, 5909 St. Claude Ave., where six-year-olds Leona Tate, Gail Etienne and Tessie Prevost integrated the former McDonogh 19 Elementary School on November 14, 1960. The historic site, now operated by the Leona Tate Foundation for Change, is a NOBEHW program partner.

Adopted July 30 following a campaign led by BE NOLA with Orleans Parish School Board members Gabriela Biro and Leila Eames, NOBEHW will bring Black educational history into classrooms and community spaces across New Orleans.

The observance opens November 15 with a community pop-up village at the Central Station Hub at Merchant Hall. Throughout the week, students will participate in programming at schools and partner sites across the city, including the TEP Center and Amistad Research Center. The week concludes November 20 with a Black is Brilliant Summit pop-up experience presented by Entergy New Orleans.

Nearly 20 schools and more than 30 cultural institutions, historians and community organizations are participating. Programming is free and opt-in.

New Orleans Black Education History Week is presented by the Institute of Mental Hygiene, with major support from Entergy New Orleans, the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Foundation, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana.

“We are proud to support BE NOLA’s vision because this is not simply a celebration of the past- iit is an investment in how young people understand themselves, their communities and their capacity to shape the future,” said Ron McClain, CEO, Institute of Mental Hygiene.

The observance is produced by Saint Josephine Consultants, with creative direction by Stevona LLC and partner engagement by The Dottin-Haley Group.

For the full schedule, registration and free classroom resources, visit BIBWeek.com.

Presented by the Institute of Mental Hygiene

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About BE NOLA

Founded in 2017, BE NOLA (Black Education for New Orleans) is a Black-led, Black-governed nonprofit rooted in New Orleans’ powerful and often undertold legacy of Black educational self-determination. Guided by the philosophy of “taking care of the people who take care of the children,” BE NOLA supports and builds the capacity of Black educators and Black-led schools through programming, research, advocacy and community building. BE NOLA is led by native New Orleanian Adrinda Kelly.

About The Institute of Mental Hygiene (IMH) 

The Institute of Mental Hygiene (IMH) promotes optimal mental health for children and their families in New Orleans.