Monumental Change: Memory, Civic Healing, and Collective Imagination

Xavier University of Louisiana

October 10, 2026

Doors: 10:30AM

Start: 11:00AM

11AM-5PM

Monumental Change: Memory, Civic Healing and Collective Imagination is a one-day symposium that brings together artists, scholars, activists, and community leaders to explore how creative expression shapes our collective memory and our vision for the future. Inspired by the historic removal of Confederate monuments in New Orleans and Richmond, the program features thought-provoking conversations, interactive workshops, live music, poetry, and artistic performances that examine these two cities’ shared history and processes of civic healing. Hosted by Xavier University of Louisiana and co-presented by the Shockoe Institute and the Jazz Generations Initiative New Orleans, this unique gathering invites all who are invested in building a more equitable future to engage in dialogue, reflection, and collective imagination.

Monumental Change is a symposium that examines the role of artists, scholars and activists in shaping public memory, imagination and civic healing. Inspired and informed by the historic takedown of several confederate white supremacist monuments in both New Orleans and Richmond beginning nearly ten years ago, Monumental Change New Orleans - co-presented by the Shockoe Institute and the Jazz Generations Initiative New Orleans - will take place at Xavier University of Louisiana.

Monumental Change will feature artists, scholars and change makers — discussing questions surrounding what it means to monumentalize our collective history, how we reckon with the past and what it can mean for the future — each from their own perspectives. Confirmed speakers include: Leyla McCalla, Dr. Courtney Bryan, Wendi Moore-O'Neal, Keywords for Black Louisiana, Monique Verdin, Abdul Aziz, Sanjay Suchak, Dr. Marland Buckner, Queen Cherice Harrison, Dr. Martha Jones, Dr. Ibrahim Seck, Dr. Tammy Greer, Nic Aziz. Musical accompaniment provided by Stephen Lands, Max Moran, and Leyla McCalla.

This symposium is unique in its approach. The day will open with a panel conversation that grounds the day in an exploration of the historic, economic and cultural connections between Richmond and New Orleans. The panel will be followed by breakout sessions including an academic presentation from Keywords for Black Louisiana, a map making workshop on visualizing history, and a roundtable discussion on storytelling and the environment with a call to action. While musical performances and poetic recitation will be interspersed throughout the day’s conversations, the symposium will culminate in an artistic response from prominent New Orleans poets and musicians, featuring the Jazz Generations Initiative jazz cohort.