Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina — people-powered progress

Twenty years ago, Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf South — exposing deep systemic inequities and displacing thousands of families. In the storm’s wake, it wasn’t systems or institutions that responded first. It was people.

From New Orleans to Mississippi, community leaders stepped forward — educators, doulas, organizers, small business owners and youth. Rooted in Us is a new storytelling series that honors those who didn’t just rebuild — but reimagined a more just future.

These stories come directly from W.K. Kellogg Foundation grantees, community partners and cultural elders. They reflect two decades of progress and show that lasting change takes time, partnership and continued investment. Check out the first story in the series from Thrive New Orleans Executive Director Chuck Morse to learn how the nonprofit is creating career pathways and putting local residents at the center of climate resilience.

A week of community reflection and action

This August, communities across the region will come together for a week of remembrance, reflection and collective action marking the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. From neighborhood meet-ups to cultural gatherings, this week of action is an opportunity to reflect, connect and recommit to building a future where every child and family can thrive. Learn more about the week and how to take part in this region-wide commemoration.

“Hope in High Water”

We’re also proud to present “Hope in High Water: A People’s Recovery Twenty Years After Hurricane Katrina,” a new documentary from Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Trymaine Lee, who was part of the Times-Picayune team recognized for its coverage of the storm. In his return to New Orleans and coastal Mississippi, Lee asks: What does recovery look like — and for whom?

Through intimate, on-the-ground storytelling, “Hope in High Water” centers the voices of people and grassroots organizations who have spent the last two decades rebuilding, reimagining and persevering. Save the date for in-person community screenings:

• New Orleans: Sunday, Aug. 24 | 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Biloxi, Miss.: Monday, Aug. 25 | 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

You can explore the full series — along with events, screenings and more — on the I Am New Orleans: Katrina 20 page.