The Black Wall Street Times
by Quinn Foster
Louisiana Creole Culture’s “Let’s Talk but in French” Creole Culture Day now has a permanent home in Grand Coteau, St. Landry Parish. The town of Grand Coteau holds some rich Creole history. It was a town where Creoles of Color could legally marry in the church during the Antebellum era.
The festivities take place every October during International Creole Heritage Month.
New add-ons include a full boucherie, French Bingo, Genealogy Station, live music, food trucks, and vendors. Co-founder and COO, Milton Arceneaux said, “We’ve stepped it up with a lineup featuring local legend DJ Dr. Boogie Live, who plays a variety of genres, Zydeco Roux, who brings traditional zydeco, and Southern Soul sensation David Sylvester.”
Their sole focus is educating Louisiana’s Creole culture and heritage:
“The music is meant to serve as more of a backdrop, almost like white noise, while we focus on the deeper cultural elements. For us, it’s essential to have substance—something that truly preserves the culture” Arceneaux said.
Creoles of color are the heart of the culture
Founded by three Louisiana Creole cousins, Milton Arceneaux, Fernest Broussard, and Alfa “Mac” Sinegal, Louisiana Creole Culture focuses on the essence of Creoles of Color.
One of the company’s missions is to highlight and promote authentic representation of Louisiana Creoles of Color of all shades.
Arceneaux said, “A significant part of this is ensuring that Creoles of Color are not forgotten in the broader marketing and identity of Louisiana. As the state promotes its rich cultural history, it’s essential that Creoles of Color remain visible and that their contributions are fully recognized, rather than being blended into other cultural identities like Cajun.”
They respect the similarities between Louisiana Creoles. But, they also honor the uniqueness of what it means to be a Creole of Color. Truthfully, Creoles of Color created innovative ways to survive and thrive in unpleasurable oppressive environments for centuries.
To connect the dots, genealogists, and family historians Ja’el “YaYa” Gordon, Regina Bergeron, and Yolande´ Roy Smith will offer their expertise to individuals.
“We’ve added genealogists and historians this year, along with fun ways to learn Creole French, such as language demonstrations and Creole French Bingo. It all has to make sense in the broader mission of cultural preservation,” Arceneaux said.
What’s next for Louisiana Creole Culture
The small but mighty team keeps the culture’s authenticity first. Arcenaux is currently working on a documentary titled, “Parish Okra.” The documentary plans to highlight the cultural significance of okra to Louisiana Creoles.
Arceneaux shared, “The documentary was inspired by the significance of the ‘okra man,’ who, back in the day, could be found on nearly every corner selling okra from the back of his truck.
Today, that’s a rare sight, yet it’s such an important part of our culture and history. The idea had been on my mind for a while, but it truly took shape after I attended a meeting about culture.”
“Parish Okra” will show the generational differences, challenges Black farmers face, and the significance of okra in different Parishes.
Louisiana Creole Culture emphasizes the importance of putting Creoles of Color in the forefront and not as an afterthought. When asked what their hopes are for Creole culture and its diverse communities, Arceneaux expressed, “We hope to strengthen connections among Creole communities across the state and beyond.
There’s so much diversity within Creole culture, and by bringing people together—whether through events like Creole Culture Day or other initiatives—we can celebrate the richness of our shared heritage.”
