About This Event:

The Société d'Economie et d'Assistance Mutuelle (Economy and Mutual Aid Association) lasted from 1836 to the late 1940s or early 1950s. The society was the most important organization begun by free people of color in the South due to its longevity, international reach, and the prominence of its members. In a 45-minute presentation, author Fatima Shaik's will highlight some of the Economy members, the society's activities, and their descendants. Among the members were Pierre Crocker, realtor and contractor; Pierre Casanave, undertaker; Ludger Boguille, school teacher and orator; Armand Bedou, photographer; and Walter L. Cohen, politician. 

About the Speaker:

Fatima Shaik is the author of seven books, most recently Economy Hall: The Hidden History of a Free Black Brotherhood, winner of the American Book Award and the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities 2022 Book of the Year. Shaik received the Louisiana Writer Award in 2021. She has written for The Southern Review, Callaloo, Tribes, The Root, In These Times, and The New York Times. She is the recipient of grants from the NEH, LEH and the Kittredge Fund. Shaik retired in 2020 as assistant professor from Saint Peter’s University where she founded its Communication program, now the Communication and Media Culture Department. She is former board member of The Writers Room and PEN America.