An evening with Katrina Babies

The lab came together to watch and discuss Katrina Babies, a 2022 documentary film directed by Edward Buckles Jr. The documentary follows the narratives of children who experienced Hurricane Katrina and discussed the impact of the storm’s aftermath on New Orleans youth.

Watching the film served as a reminder of the reason we do work with and for communities worst affected by environmental inequities. The stories shared in Katrina Babies highlight how disasters do not end when the storm passes, but continue to shape access to housing, education, mental health resources, and a sense of belonging for generations. The discussion that followed encouraged us to reflect on our responsibility as researchers and practitioners to center lived experience, amplify community voices, and pursue work that is accountable to those most impacted by environmental injustice.