Karl Turner – Story of Resilience and Reinvention
From the coal towns of Harlan County to the kitchens of New Orleans, Karl Turner has built a life on grit, curiosity, and taste.
Jeffrey Lemelle – From Legally Blind in Louisiana to a Talented Baker in Paris
Jeffrey LeMelle, a Louisiana-born baker, has built a thriving bakery, Bon Temps Roulé, in Colombes, Paris, embodying the hard-working spirit of his Creole heritage and American roots.
Payal Roywest – Painting Her Way Back To Joy
After a season of profound grief, London-based artist Payal Roywest found solace and purpose through art.
Book Reviews – The Creole Elite and the Rise of Angolan Protonationalism
Jacopo Corrado’s The Creole Elite and the Rise of Angolan Protonationalism is a meticulously researched and thought-provoking exploration of identity, culture, and the birth of early nationalism in Angola.
Book Reviews – The Ideology of Creole Revolution
In The Ideology of Creole Revolution, Joshua Simon offers an original and intellectually rich exploration of the shared ideas behind the American and Latin American independence movements.
Recipes – Sorrel Drink: A Caribbean Christmas Classic
Across the Caribbean, no Christmas celebration is complete without the rich ruby hue of sorrel drink, a festive drink made from dried hibiscus petals, infused with ginger, cloves, and spices.
Don Vappie – Strings of Heritage, Sounds of Resistance
Banjo virtuoso, composer, and cultural standard-bearer Don Vappie has spent a lifetime channeling the spirit of New Orleans through strings and stories.
British Virgin Islands – Where Serenity Meets the Sea
Blending Caribbean charm with understated sophistication, the British Virgin Islands offer more than beauty — they offer peace, heritage, and the rhythm of island life.
Dr. Rahn K. Bailey: Psychiatry, Purpose, and the Power of Storytelling
Dr. Rahn K. Bailey is a nationally recognized forensic psychiatrist whose career bridges the worlds of medicine, justice, and public health. Rooted in his Creole heritage, he has become a powerful advocate for mental health equity, violence prevention, and mentorship in the U.S. and globally.
Dr. William F. Tate IV – Pioneering Leadership and Visionary Path at LSU
Dr. William F. Tate IV, LSU’s pioneering President since May 2021, is a remarkable figure in academia, marking significant firsts in the institution’s history. With a rich social science and epidemiology background, Tate’s focus on the social determinants of STEM education, especially within African-American communities, highlights his deep commitment to inclusivity and equity in education.
A Symphony of Cultures – The Rencontres Créoles des Seychelles 2024
The Rencontres Créoles des Seychelles, held from March 4 to 8, 2024, at the Seychelles International Conference Centre, marked an extraordinary celebration of Creole culture and its diverse expressions. The event, a sequel to the “Rencontres Créoles de Victoria” from two years prior, unfolded over a week, featuring a rich tapestry of conferences and culminating in a grand musical co-creation that left an indelible mark on all who attended.
Joseph Darensbourg – Unearthing the Creole Legacy
Joseph Darensbourg ’s journey is not just a personal tale but a deep dive into the roots of Creole identity, tracing back to his ancestor, Carl Friedrich de Ottenberg, in the early 18th century. It’s a story that transcends Joseph’s life, revealing a rich tapestry of cultural diaspora and connection that stretches from Louisiana to distant shores worldwide.
Guitarist Robben Ford and the blues legacy that stretches beyond albums and award nominations
Robben Ford’s calling in life was to be a musician. In many ways you could even say that he was destined to write and perform, which is exactly what he’s been doing now for more than 60 years.
Brook Benton and the musical versatility that made stardom a foregone conclusion
Throughout history there have been so few artists who could exhibit the impressive versatility of Brook Benton. It seemed that he was able to command any genre that was popular at the time. This includes rock and roll, pop, R&B and, of course, blues.
Mance Lipscomb: The inspiring blues singer who went largely unnoticed until the age of 65
Mance Lipscomb released his first album in 1960. Titled Texas Songster, the record was a symphony of blues born out of the Lone Star State. It led to more people than ever before listening to the unique sound that he’d been delicately crafting since his youth. It catapulted him onto the airwaves and onto festival stages – and for many this would have been the perfect springboard into a long and fruitful career.