In April of 2018 the demonstration phase of a community market under the elevated expressway of the Claiborne Corridor reignited the excitement of the community and reestablished the hope of citizens that a long-ago act of environmental racism could be remedied through intentional place-making. The project not only illustrated the potential for physical revitalization, but also served as a call to leadership to the citizens and stakeholders of the adjacent neighborhoods and community institutions. It is against this backdrop that Ujamaa was organized — the product of an Advisory Committee of stakeholders including Foundation for Louisiana, the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority, the Ashe’ Cultural Arts Center, Market Umbrella, the New Orleans Business Alliance, and Claiborne Corridor business owners and residents.  

The Ujamaa Economic Development Corporation was organized with a mission of equitable redevelopment of the Claiborne Corridor and adjacent communities, and with a commitment by the organization’s leadership to cultural preservation, economic opportunity, housing affordability, environmental sustainability, and safe and healthy neighborhoods for the Claiborne Corridor communities.