Project Text
From the series "Ways of Dying" a visual and emotional narrative which speaks to the ways of mourning and celebrating Black life as it passes on to death – not the end, but the continuam of an historical performative ritual that traces back to Africa.
Miss Eva Louise PerryMiss Eva Louise Perry of Tee Eva’s famous praline pies, passed away Thursday 7th June 2018. She is the founder of
Tee-Eva’s Authentic New Orleans Pralines, which will now be managed by her granddaughter, Kiana as generations continue the Black Majik and Circle of Life. Tee Eva was also an active representative of the
baby doll Carnival tradition and a back-up singer for Ernie K-Doe.
“I’m very proud to walk the streets with my basket. I strut when I walk the streets with my basket,” Mrs. Perry said in 1992, “because I’m part of a long tradition of black women who made a living and kept their independence selling pralines this way”. Speaking truth to power she spoke these words…. “I’ve lived the life of a sharecropper, I’ve lived in the projects, I’ve tasted the good life,” Mrs. Perry said in 1995. “Sometimes I make my living, pay my bills, sometimes not. But I keep going. I always knew I could be anything I wanted to be, but it takes more than that. You gotta want to be somebody inside.”
Tee Eva’s funeral and second line took place on June 16th 2018, at the Guiding Light Baptist church in New Orleans.
Queen Shirley Goodman Queen Shirley Goodman of the Flaming Arrows Black Indian tribe passed away in December 2018 in New Orleans. Miss Shirley was a member of the 7th Ward community and was a lifetime participant in Mardi Gras and a member of the Baby Dolls. Her funeral took place on December 15th, New Orleans.