Plessy and Ferguson Initiative

The Plessy & Ferguson Initiative, co-founded by Keith Plessy and Phoebe Ferguson, is a non-profit organization dedicated to the pursuit of social justice. Our work is guided by the principles of truth-seeking, restorative justice, and memorialization. We aim to inspire others to build new alliances, advocate for reducing past harms, and create a more inclusive and united future.

The Plessy and Ferguson Initiative provides opportunities for communities to better understand the context for our ongoing struggle for equity in the United States today. Through the telling of our story and the history of the Reconstruction Era in New Orleans, Plessy & Ferguson strives to connect, educate, and inspire individuals and communities to recognize that reconciliation and change are possible in our nation when open communication and action are taken. We collaborate with community partners to research, write, and erect historical markers that acknowledge African American activist pioneers, highlight significant civil rights sites, and in some cases, reclaim pieces of New Orleans history lost, forgotten, or erased. In this work, we hope to affect change and guide communities to recognize important stories and heritage throughout the city.

In 2024, we completed a two year grant project on community empowerment through understanding historical truths. Community leaders from around the city, decided on, researched, wrote and held celebrations for three new historical markers, with two more to be completed this spring.

Testimonials

CEO Search For Common Ground

"We became aware of your work recently due to the publicity surrounding the La Board of Parole's unanimous approval of a pardon for Homer Plessy - an historic development that clearly would not have happened without your persistent advocacy - we feel a deep kinship with you and the principles that are so evident in your friendship and joint advocacy and activism. Your creation of the Plessy & Ferguson Initiative, your joint educational, public awareness, and policy advocacy efforts; and the wisdom of your activism to both remember and honor history while tirelessly working together for a better future are are all worthy of recognition and celebration."