Twin sisters Jo and Joy Banner have made history by purchasing the Woodland Plantation in LaPlace, Louisiana, where their ancestors were once enslaved. The plantation holds significant historical importance as the site of the 1811 Slave Revolt, one of the largest uprisings of enslaved people in American history. Jo and Joy aim to honor their family legacy and right the wrongs of history by transforming the plantation into a space for genealogy research, conversations about environmental justice, and the preservation of Black history.
In addition to preserving their heritage, the Banner sisters’ purchase of the plantation also serves as a crucial step in protecting their community from further industrialization. By blocking the construction of a proposed facility that would harm the environment and threaten the historic landscape, Jo and Joy are actively advocating for the health and well-being of their community in Louisiana’s River Parishes. Read more