A Community Voice-Louisiana (ACV) fights for justice where it’s needed most: among the working poor, elderly, women, children, and families facing environmental and health challenges in New Orleans, as well as across the state. Founded in 2009 after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Lower 9th Ward, this grassroots organization is improving lives and elevating voices. ACV has lobbied for and won replacement of leaded water mains; secured lead testing of public schools’ drinking water; helped prevent a freeway through three major African American communities; collected donations for displaced apartment fire victims; and provided COVID resources. Their work extends beyond crisis response to creating lasting change through voter outreach and better evacuation planning for future disasters. Working alongside Southern United Neighborhoods, ACV has secured stronger protections for tenants and homeowners, while bringing billions in affordable housing dollars to communities that need them most.
Led by native New Orleanians Debra Campbell and Rev. Richard Bell, ACV is a powerful force for change. Their predominantly Black board includes many low-to-moderate income seniors who intimately understand community challenges. Beyond their core advocacy work, ACV has hosted a weekly radio show keeping residents informed, created a climate victory garden at ACORN Farm providing food access to those in need, and secured National Fish and Wildlife Foundation funding for green infrastructure to combat flooding. As well, they’ve blocked an Industrial Canal expansion, secured a ban on dry sanding of lead-painted houses, eliminated lead-lined school water coolers, and prevented an incinerator in a Black neighborhood. Currently, ACV is filing a Civil Rights Complaint with the US Department of Justice against the Louisiana Department of Transportation, challenging discriminatory practices in using state funds to build highways through five Black communities while neglecting critical evacuation infrastructure needs.
A Community Voice is raising funding for affordable housing in the Lower Ninth Ward.