On November 3, Monica Pierre, an assistant professor  in Xavier University of Louisiana’s Mass Communications Department, won her 3rd career Emmy this past weekend for the documentary she executive produced, “Battlegrounds: The Lost Community of Fazendeville.” The documentary, a WLAE-TV production, was recognized with an Emmy for Diversity/Equity/Inclusion, Long-Form Content. The award was announced during the 2023 Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards.

“What an honor to win my third Emmy award for doing meaningful work,” Pierre said. “This is not just a personal achievement but a testament to the power of storytelling in preserving the rich, yet often untold histories of marginalized communities.”

In the early 1960s, Fazendeville was torn down to expand the National Park after being built by the formerly enslaved and located in the middle of the site of the Battle of New Orleans.

Residents were forced to leave and paid only a fraction of the value of their homes. The documentary follows this story told by the former residents, their descendants, and local historians. The documentary acknowledges the multitude of injustices southern Black communities have faced in the effort to create more well-established, equitable and sustainable communities.

“This recognition deepens my commitment to educating and inspiring our future Mass Comm storytellers to explore and amplify stories in danger of being forgotten,” shared Pierre.

Xavier, a champion of equity for nearly one hundred years, applauds the strength and resilience of these communities. The university offers its gratitude to Pierre for sharing the “lost” story of Fazendeville.

Story by Tyana Jackson, Student Contributor