Welcome to Ujamaa!

The beauty of this neighborhood lies beneath years of neglect and abuse. But the true beauty of a diamond is found only when the layers of carbon are removed, polished and presented to the world. 

Herein lies the mission of Ujamaa!  We are actively removing “layers” of neglect, which caused Treme to fall into a distressed state.  We are working with residents to increase a sense of community pride  and responsibility through increased homeownership. We work the streets in cooperation with neighborhood associations, law enforcement, area churches, and city officials; we walk the streets with the residents who care about the revitalization of their community. We love the streets of Treme with its beautiful live oaks down Ursulines, it’s area school bands practicing in the streets, it’s tradition of second line parades that spring up from nowhere, the Zulu Headquarters with their famed parades and community work, and the neighbors that sit on porches and stoops sharing local gossip!  I hope you will find your place in the Treme as you learn more about the work Ujamaa is doing here.  We welcome your support of the many initiatives of Ujamaa. We welcome your visits to our community and ask for your prayers as we work to restore a neighborhood that historically thrived on diversity, the spirit of entrepreneurship and the love of family and culture.  So step into Treme through this website and find the piece of yourself connected to this vibrant community…

Treme, the oldest community for free people of color in the United States, is the birthplace of jazz, the location of the first “open-air” markets is this country, the home of Vaucresson meats (the best sausage in the world), the ­kitchens of celebrated chefs like Leah Chase of Dooky Chase and restaurateurs like Willie Mae of Willie Mae’s Scotch House.  Treme was the home of Homer Adolf Plessy of Homer Plessy v. The State of Louisiana, who in 1892 fought for equality after he was jailed for sitting in the “Whites Only” car of the East Louisiana Railroad. St. Augustine and St. Peter Claver Churches also call the vibrant streets of Treme home as well. With such a rich history, Treme begs to be explored and renewed. So please explore this site and become familiar with New Orlean’s own Treme!