Louisiana
Welcome to Louisiana - known of course for Mardi Gras, jazz, and mouth watering cuisine like gumbo, jambalaya, and red beans and rice.
My mentor was born and raised here. I am so grateful to have had her in my life. So Louisiana will always have a special place in my heart.
Fun facts:
- The first opera performed in the United States was in Louisiana. The show was performed in 1796 called Ernest Gretry’s Sylvain. This one act show was a genre of French opera that contains spoken dialogue and vocal pieces. I don’t really know too much about the opera scene but it did streamline New Orleans to host performances on a yearly basis.
- Four predominant languages are spoken in Louisiana- English, French, Spanish and Vietnamese. Louisiana Creole and Cajun French are heavily influenced by African and Native American languages. These subdialects are unique to only this region.
- The first American Female self-made millionaire was from Louisiana. Madam CJ Walker was born free just after emancipation in 1867. She made her business by developing and marketing a line of cosmetics and hair care products. With her business she provided career opportunities and economic independence for thousands of African American woman. Her business eventually expanded internationally, a truly amazing feat!