New Orleans has a rich and complex Black history that dates back centuries. The city was a major port for the transatlantic slave trade and became a hub for the development of African American culture, music, and cuisine.

During the antebellum period, New Orleans had a large population of free Blacks, many of whom were skilled artisans, entrepreneurs, and property owners. However, slavery was also widespread in the city, and thousands of enslaved Africans were brought to New Orleans to work in plantations and as domestic servants.

After the Civil War, New Orleans became a center of African American political and social activism. The city was home to prominent Black leaders such as P.B.S. Pinchback, the first African American governor of a U.S. state, and Homer Plessy, whose challenge to segregation laws led to the landmark Supreme Court case Plessy v. Ferguson.

New Orleans is also renowned for its vibrant music scene, which has been shaped by African American musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Fats Domino, and Jelly Roll Morton. Jazz, blues, and gospel music all have deep roots in the city, and the annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival celebrates this cultural heritage.

In recent years, New Orleans has faced challenges such as gentrification, racial inequality, and the effects of natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina. However, the city's rich Black history continues to inspire and influence its residents, artists, and activists.