Selected Works & Appearances

Essays & Articles

Selected listing

• “My Silver Lining.” In Counting Our Blessings: New Orleans Stories 20 Years After Katrina. University of New Orleans Press, 2025.
• “In City Hall fight, New Orleans once again treats Tremé like low-hanging fruit, ripe for plucking,” The Gambit, August 24, 2021.
• “Congo Square and the Roots of Second Line Parading.” In Dancing in the Streets: Social and Pleasure Clubs of New Orleans. New Orleans: The Historic New Orleans Collection, 2021.
• “Congo Square and African-American Music Culture.” In 100 Years of Now, Haus der Kulturen der Welt Online Journal, Berlin, Germany, 2018.
• “The Cultural Connections of New Orleans Second Line, Cuban Conga, and Haitian Rara.” In Freedom’s Dance: Social, Aid and Pleasure Clubs in New Orleans. Louisiana State University Press, 2018.
• “A Window to Africa: Enslaved Africans Perpetuated Cultural and Commercial Practices at Congo Square.” In New Orleans & The World: 1718-2018 Tricentennial Anthology. New Orleans: Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, 2017.
• “Congo Square.” Oxford African American Studies Center. New York: Oxford U.P., 2015.
• “African Spirituality and Religion in New Orleans’ Congo Square.” In Ashé to Amen Exhibition Catalogue. New Orleans: Ashé Cultural Arts Center, 2015.
• “Congo Square.” In The SAGE Encyclopedia of African Cultural Heritage in North America. Ed. Sheren Sanders, Ph.D. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications, Inc., 2014.
• “The Popular Dances of Congo Square.” In The SAGE Encyclopedia of African Cultural Heritage in North America. Ed. Sheren Sanders, Ph.D. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications, Inc., 2014.
• “Kongo Music and Dance at New Orleans’s Congo Square.” In Kongo Across the Waters. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2013.
• “Congo Square.” In KnowLA Encyclopedia of Louisiana. Ed. David Johnson. New Orleans: Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, 16 Sept. 2013.
• “Congo Square: African Roots in New Orleans.” Louisiana Cultural Vistas, Fall, 2011.
• “New Orleans’ Congo Square: A Cultural Landmark.” In Ancestors of Congo Square: African Art in the New Orleans Museum of Art. New Orleans: Scala Publishers, 2011.

International Research, Travels & Presentations

• Lecture, Masterclass on New Orleans Culture, University of Groningen, Netherlands, 2025
• Field Research, Kumasi and Accra, Ghana, West Africa, 2026
• Keynote Lecture, 100 Years of Beat Festival, Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Berlin, Germany, 2018
• MEDICC (Medical Education Cooperation with Cuba), Santiago and Havana de Cuba, 2017
• Independent Research/Travel, Jacmel and Port au Prince, Haiti, 2015
• Congo Square Presentations and Independent Research, Dakar and St. Louis, Senegal, 2014
• Congo Square Presentations, Bordeaux Congo Square Festival, Bordeaux, France, 2013
• Congo Square Presentations, Festival Aulnay All Blues, Aulnay and Paris, France, 2012
• Independent Research/Travel, Ghana, West Africa, 2006
• Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher Program, 2004
• Fulbright, Teachers Abroad, U.S. Department of Education, South Africa, 2000
• European Art Study/Travel, England, France, Italy, 1999
• Fulbright, Teachers Abroad, U.S. Department of Education, Zimbabwe, 1995
• Exchange Study/Travel, University of Ghana, Accra, West Africa, 1976

Congo Square, Black History & New Orleans History Events

Selected listing

• Panelist, “The Cultural Repatriation of Nineteen African Americans from Germany to New Orleans” and “Laborers in Congo Square,” Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Atlanta, GA, September 2025
• Panelist, “Sites of Enslavement: Slavery and the Making of New Orleans,” Tulane University History Project, April 2025
• Lecturer, “The Legacy of Congo Square,” Loyola University, New Orleans, March 2025
• In Conversation: Freddi Williams Evans & Dr. Michael White, LEH, New Orleans, September 2024
• Panelist, “The Roots of Rhythm,” BlackAmericana Fest, New Orleans, September 2024
• Lecturer and Interviewee for mini documentary, Southern University at New Orleans, 2023
• Consultant, The Shadows, New Iberia, LA, National Trust for Historic Preservation, 2023
• Lecturer, Open Curriculum on New Orleans Culture, University of California, Berkeley, 2023
• Panelist, Society for Ethnomusicology Pre-Conference Symposium, New Orleans, 2022
• Consultant, Called to the Camera: Black American Studio Photographers Exhibition, NOMA, 2022
• Public Historian, Keywords for Black Louisiana, Digital Humanities Project, New Orleans, 2022-24
• Panelist, Sawyer Seminar: New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro, Tulane University, 2021
• Speaker, UNESCO Site of Memory Middle Passage Historical Marker Dedication, Algiers, LA, 2019
• Presenter, National Endowment for the Humanities Workshop for Teachers, Tulane University, 2019
• Panelist, Purchased Lives Exhibition Public Program, Xavier University, 2019
• Presenter, Representing Enslavement Conference, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 2019
• Presenter, Catherine Drexel School, SUNO, Center for African and African American Studies, 2019
• Presenter, “In the Spotlight: Stories of Performance Dance in Early New Orleans,” THNOC, 2018
• Presenter, Universities Studying Slavery Fall Symposium, Tougaloo College, MS, 2018
• Panelist, Soros Justice Fellows, National Conference, New Orleans, 2018
• Panelist, Tennessee Williams Festival, New Orleans, 2018
• Presentation, New Orleans Tricentennial Symposium, New Orleans, 2018
• Lecturer, Tom Dent Lecture Series, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, 2018
• Panelist, Louisiana Historical Society, Annual Conference, New Orleans, 2018
• Lecturer, French Film Festival, New Orleans Film Society, New Orleans, 2018
• Panelist, TEDWomen 2017, New Orleans, LA
• Panelist, 29th Haitian Studies Association Conference, New Orleans, 2017
• Panelist, Plessy Day, Plessy and Ferguson Foundation, New Orleans Jazz Museum, 2017
• Speaker, Purdue University Black Culture Center, West Lafayette, Indiana, 2017
• Panelist and Presenter, New Orleans Community Day, WK Kellogg Foundation, 2016
• Panelist, ROOTS Advanced Screening, The History Channel and A+E Studios, New Orleans, 2016
• Class Lecturer, Tulane University, Department of Music, New Orleans, 2016
• Speaker, Black History Presentation, Southern University at New Orleans, 2016
• Speaker, “The HistoryMakers” Presentation, St. Augustine High School, New Orleans, 2015
• Panelist, Caribbean Studies Association Conference, New Orleans, 2015
• Panelist, 2018 Tri-Centennial Commission, Mayor Mitch Landrieu, City of New Orleans, 2015
• Panelist, Kongo Across the Waters Exhibition, New Orleans Museum of Art, 2015
• Speaker, MAAFA, Congo Square/Armstrong Park, New Orleans, 2013, 2015-21
• Speaker, Premier of Congo Square (Orchestral Composition), University of Louisiana, Lafayette, 2015
• Panelist, Flash of the Spirit Conference (P.3 Biennial), Ogden Museum, New Orleans, 2014
• Speaker, International Jazz Day event, St. Louis, Senegal, April 30, 2014
• Speaker, Beta Delta Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Jackson, MS, 2014
• Lecturer, John Coltrane Festival, Maison de la Culture Douta Seck, Dakar, Senegal, 2014
• Panelist, West African Research Center (WARC), Dakar, Senegal, 2014
• Speaker, Louisiana District Office of U.S. Small Business Administration, 2014
• Featured Speaker, Bordeaux Congo Square Festival, Bordeaux, France, September 2013
• Panelist, Conférence Internationale, Bordeaux, France, September 2013
• Collaborator, “Congo Square: Dances of the Diaspora,” with Chuck Davis, New Orleans, 2013
• Featured Speaker, Congo Square, Hamilton Hill Arts Center, Schenectady, NY, 2013
• Presenter and Panelist, La Maison des Cultures du Monde, Paris, France, November 22, 2012
• Presentation, Georges Brassens High School, Paris, France, November 21, 2012
• Speaker, “The HistoryMakers” Presentation, Helen Cox High School, September 2012
• Producer, Panel Discussions for Historic Tremé 200th Year Celebration, New Orleans, 2012, 2013
• Presenter, The Creole Festival, Louisiana State Museum – Mint, New Orleans, 2012
• Presenter, Tulane University for The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, 2012
• Speaker, 1st Annual International Jazz Day (UNESCO), Congo Square, April 30, 2012
• Speaker, Congo Square Symposium, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, 2012
• Panelist, Hallelujah Bye and Bye: Funeral Processions in Ghana and New Orleans, Tulane University, 2012
• Speaker, Congo Square, Le Musée de f.p.c. Museum, New Orleans, LA, 2012
• Lecturer, Arna Bontemps African American Museum, Alexandria, LA, 2012
• Presenter, Congo Square, State Library of Louisiana, Baton Rouge, 2012
• Lecturer, Congo Square, Louisiana State Museum – Cabildo, New Orleans, 2011
• Presentation, Congo Square, Ashé Cultural Arts Center, New Orleans, 2011
• Book Presentations, New Orleans Book Festivals, New Orleans, 2016-2023
• Book Talks, Louisiana Book Festival, Baton Rouge, 2011, 2018, 2024
• Presenter, Congo Square, New Orleans City Council Meeting, April 28, 2011
• Lecturer, “New Orleans’ Congo Square: A Cultural Landmark,” NOMA, 2011
• Panelist, “Haiti and the Music of Congo Square,” New Orleans Jazz Festival, 2011
• Panelist, Congo Square Symposium, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, 2009
• Featured Speaker, “Congo Square, the African Roots of New Orleans,” Xavier University, 2008
• Panelist, Tom Dent Congo Square Lecture Series, NOJ&H Foundation, 2007
• Panelist, National Council for Black Studies 29th Annual Conference, 2005
• Presenter, 1st Congo Square Symposium, Southern University at New Orleans, 2004
• Producer, “I Hear the Drums,” a multi-disciplinary performance for children about Congo Square, Jackson, MS and New Orleans, 1995

Television Appearances

Selected listing

• Consultant, 60 Minutes, One of America’s Last True Secret Societies: The Mardi Gras Indians, April 5, 2026
• Featured Historian, Black History Month Interview, WDSU, Channel 6, February 26, 2026
• Interview, WWL-TV Eyewitness Morning News, “Congo Square,” February 5, 2021
• Interview, WDSU TV, “The HistoryMakers,” September 20, 2015
• Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities Awards, New Orleans Access TV, 2012
• Featured Author, “Congo Square: A Cultural Treasure,” a documentary film, New Orleans Access TV, 2011
• Panelist, “Book TV,” C-SPAN TV at The Tennessee Williams Festival, New Orleans, 2011
• Guest Author, “Sunday Edition with Dennis Woltering,” WWL-TV Ch. 4, New Orleans, 2011
• Guest Author, “Good Morning New Orleans,” WGNO Channel 26 (ABC), 2011

Radio Interviews

Selected listing

• Interview, “Repatriation Memorial Service,” WBOK with Will Sutton, May 30, 2025
• Interview, “The Reading Life” with Susan Lawson, WWNO 89.9FM, October 2024
• Podcast Series Member, “Little Voices, Big Ideas,” Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, 2020
• Interview, WBOK 1230AM, Oliver Thomas Show, May 14, 2018
• Interview, Teranga FM 103.2 Radio, St. Louis, Senegal, April 30, 2014
• Interview, France Bleu Radio, Bordeaux, France, September 12, 2013
• Interview, Aquitaine TV, Bordeaux, France, September 13, 2013
• “Congo Square,” Stéphane Colin, ABS Magazine, Châteaugay, France, 2013
• Interview, NOVA Le Grand Mix Radio, Paris, France, November 23, 2012
• Interview, Radio France, Paris, France, November 23, 2012
• New Orleans, Wake Up! neworleansblogtalkradio.com, 2012, 2013
• Guest Author, WBOK 1230AM, John Slade and Paul Beaulieu Show, May 2011
• Guest Author, “All Things New Orleans,” WWNO 89.9FM, New Orleans, 2011
• Guest Author, WBOK 1230AM, New Orleans, 2011
• Guest Author, “The Reading Life,” WWNO 89.9FM, New Orleans, 2011
• Guest Author, “Sunday Journal,” Clear Channel 1280AM, New Orleans, 2011
• Guest Author, “Writer’s Forum,” WRBH-FM 88.3FM, New Orleans, 2001
• Guest Author, “Lloyd Dennis Show,” WODT-AM 1280AM, New Orleans, 2001

Documentary & Video Appearances

Selected listing

• Interview/Video, Congo Square Rhythms Festival, Where Y'at Magazine, March 2026
• Featured Historian, TUKKI: From the Roots to the Bayou — Exploring Jazz in West Africa and New Orleans, documentary produced by Alune Wade and Vincent Le Gal, 2025
• Speaker, The Neutral Ground, directed by C. J. Hunt, New Orleans, 2021
• Featured Historian, Kongo Across the Waters Exhibition Video, University of Florida, Gainesville, 2013
• Presenter, 1st International Jazz Day, UNESCO Website and Video, Congo Square, 2012
• Interview, “The HistoryMakers,” Chicago, IL, 2011

Printed Articles

Selected listing

• “Inside the archive preserving Black history: The Amistad Research Center sails to 60 years,” Violet Bucaro, NOLA.com, July 5, 2026
• “New book about John T. Scott details life of the daring New Orleans artist,” Rien Fertel, The Advocate, July 6, 2025
• “A Divine Epiphany,” Kelly Harris DeBerry, 64 Parishes, Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, June 1, 2024
• “LEH honors New Orleanians with Bright Lights awards,” The Louisiana Weekly, March 18, 2024
• “New Orleans Celebrates the Launch and Blessing of Passing It On: The Art of John T. Scott,” Off Beat Staff, Off Beat Magazine, September 9, 2024
• “Lit Louisiana: The origins of Congo Square,” Fatima Shaik, Verite News, March 19, 2024
• “Congo Square: Le jazz connecte la Nouvelle Orléans à l’Afrique,” Scheina Adaya, Walfadjri Newspaper, Dakar, Senegal, April 29, 2014
• Mississippi Book Award, The Natchez Democrat, Natchez, MS, October 22, 2004