MEDIA & EVENTS
EVENTS
Alexandria Business Summit Part II
Access to Human & Financial Capital
FEATURES & MENTIONS
Film made by Acadiana natives, ‘Built on Zydeco,’ to be shown at NOLA festival
NEW ORLEANS, La. (KLFY) —A documentary by a group of Acadiana natives on the history and culture of Zydeco music will be screened at a prestigious film festival in New Orleans this week. The creators of “Built on Zydeco” have announced the film’s official selection in the 29th New Orleans French Film Festival, a globally recognized celebration of Francophone cinema taking place March 19–24, 2026.
38th annual Zydeco Extravaganza held in Lafayette
LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) — The 38th annual Zydeco Extravaganza, held at the Blackham Coliseum, brought the rhythms of creole culture to life, drawing in visitors from the community and around the world. The line-up consisted of Keith Frank, Nathan Williams, Tucka, Leon Chavis, DJ Troy D, Rusty Metoyer, Step Rideau, Lil Nate, Geno Delafose and Jeffery Broussard. Often called the “granddaddy” of all zydeco festivals, the festival is back and better than ever. Organizers and vendors of the event say this event means a lot to the local community.
Dormant for decades, historic Holy Rosary Institute to see redevelopment this year
After over three decades as an eyesore, the Holy Rosary Institute campus on Lafayette’s Northside is poised to once again become a resource for local residents as construction gets underway. Last month, M-P Monique Boulet’s plan to add the Northeast public library to the site brought a new anchor to the development. But redevelopment has already begun with crews framing the institute’s main school building, where they plan to rebuild the chapel and turn the school into a museum.
Zydeco Coachella: A day of rhythm, history and Creole pride
LAFAYETTE PARISH — A day filled with rhythm, dance, and deep cultural roots took over the Blackham Coliseum for the 38th Annual Zydeco Extravaganza—a staple event celebrating the rich Creole heritage of South Louisiana. "The continuation of the culture is so important. It's so vital that we pass on these traditions to our children and the next generation," said Dustin Cravins, organizer of Zydeco Extravaganza.
Long-awaited library branch may have a new home on Lafayette’s Northside, officials announce
The Northeast Regional Branch Library may soon have a new home. Lafayette Mayor-President Monique Blanco Boulet, along with city, parish and state leadership, announced Tuesday the Northeast Regional Branch Library is now being proposed to be located near the intersection of Louisiana Avenue and Carmel Drive. Originally planned for Shadow Bluff Drive on Louisiana Avenue, Boulet said Lafayette Consolidated Government has entered into a letter of intent with the Society of the Holy Family, a Louisiana non-profit and owner of the property.
City of Ville Platte secures $500,000 Louisiana Community Development Block Grant to remove blighted structures
Ville Platte has been awarded a $500,000 grant that was approved by Governor Jeff Landry to clean up the city. The Louisiana Community Development Block Grant program is allocating the funds to the city of Ville Platte. The grant was secured with the help of La Louisianne Consulting who worked closely with city officials to complete the necessary requirements to get approval for the funding. La Louisianne Consulting sees this as a “major investment in the future of Ville Platte.”
DONALD AND PATRICIA CRAVINS AWARDED A TRAILBLAZER AWARD by the Black Alumni Association at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Donald and Patricia Cravins recently received the the Christiana Smith African American Alumni Chapter's Trailblazer Award at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. They were honored for their dedication, commitment to excellence and impact to the university and community.
Chef Philippe Etchebest visits cravins family
Chef Philippe Etchebest, world class chef visited the Cravins Family to learn about Southwest Louisiana Creole culture and cuisine for an upcoming French documentary.
CREOLE HERITAGE MONTH EXHIBIT HONOREES: LUXURY CREOLE CULTURE TABLETOP BOOK/MAGAZINE
Dustin was featured in an art exhibit and tabletop book for his contributions to Creole culture. Read More >>
Acadiana Eats Festival
Cravin' Boudin will be at the Acadiana Eats Festival on October 28 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the West Village Development in Scott, Louisiana. Read More >>
St. Martinville collabs with UL students for 30-year vision plan
July 2024
The year-long project, also a collaboration with La Louisane Consulting, allows for the community to include its vision of the future as well with various maps showing new infrastructure, buildings, neighborhoods, and green spaces that could come to fruition. Read More >>
Nose to Tail: A foodway born out of necessity is maintained as a tradition
Jan 2023
"Boudin. Cracklin. Hogshead cheese. Sausage. Backbone stew. These beloved southwestern Louisiana dishes have fed locals and attracted hungry tourists for decades. Yet the Creole boucherie—the communal hog-butchering and cookout that produces these culinary delights—is a segment of American life that we do not hear much about." Read More >>
Louisiana Creole Culture in Acadiana Featured on National Geographic’s “World of Flavor with Big Moe Cason”
Aug 2022
"Look for Acadiana on the big screen as Louisiana Creole Culture will be front and center on an episode of National Geographic's "World of Flavor with Big Moe Cason."
The new series from National Geographic debuted on July 25th and features Navy veteran and champion pitmaster Big Moe Cason as he "embarks on an epic journey to seek out the most mouthwatering dishes cooked over an open flame."" Read More >>
Keith Frank making his return to the stage on January 16th
Jan 2022
"Zydeco Homecoming will be kicking off on Jan. 16 at 5 p.m. at Parc International in Downtown Lafayette.
Dustin Cravins, Vice President of LA Louisianne Consulting, hopes the event will bring Zydeco as we know it back to Southwest Louisiana." Read More >>
Longtime Lafayette pastor, founder of Black chamber of commerce dies at 91
Jan 2022
"One of the founders of the Greater Southwest Louisiana Black Chamber of Commerce died in late December.
Bishop Roy Winbush, who founded the organization along with JeNelle Chargois and Don Cravins Sr. in 2003, died at 91 on Dec. 19. A service in his honor will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Gethsemane Church of God in Christ in Lafayette, where he served as the pastor.." Read More >>
The slow road to getting vaccinated after back-to-back hurricanes
May 5, 2021
"During the last two weeks of April, canvassers with La Louisianne, a Black-led consulting firm based in Lafayette, knocked on doors in town, providing residents with information about vaccines and fielding their questions." Read More >>
The Southern View
May 2018
Recipient of The Greater Southwest Louisiana Black Chamber of Commerce’s Trailblazer Awards.
Read More >>
Riders
Winter 2017
"Against the most difficult odds of entrenched racism, racial violence, poverty, language denigration, and cultural appropriation, Creole-identifying people have held fast to their Catholic faith, their rural roots and land ownership, their food and musical traditions, and fought to maintain their ancestral French language.” Read More >>
Quoted in Book: 'Louisiana Rambles: Exploring America's Cajun and Creole Heartland'
Louisiana Rambles, by Ian McNulty
"In this era, with this pop culture we have, it's amazing to me that the pop culture of southwest Louisiana still is Creole culture," said Dustin Cravins. "It's cool to be into country music here, and not just for the white guys from the country. Our music is Creole country music." Read More >>
Dustin Cravins is King Toussaint L'Ouverture LVII
Feb 14, 2015
"As king of one of Lafayette's oldest and most historic Mardi Gras Krewes, Dustin Cravins knows the importance of serving as King Toussaint L'Ouverture LVII.
Born and raised in Southwest Louisiana, Cravins is the third member of his family to serve as king of the Lafayette Mardi Gras Festival Inc. ." Read More >>
Buckwheat Zydeco, Famed Bandleader and Accordionist, Dead at 68
Sep 2016
"Family friend Dustin Cravins added to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, “It’s a tough one for us and the entire Zydeco community and the greater music community. Words like legend and icon are tossed around so much these days that it almost sounds watered down, but he was the true definition of it.” Read More >>
Produced: Ancestral Grooves
Produced Ancestral Groove alongside Terrance Simien, Danny Williams and Cynthia Simien. Why? Because we respect our past and understand our present and as we meet the moment of a global pandemic and a season of racial reconciliation the likes of which we’ve not seen since the Civil Rights movement, we felt compelled to reflect and give thanks for what we’ve got. " Learn More >>
Donors sending St. Landry students to ‘Black Panther’
Feb 14, 2015
"Last weekend, Dustin Cravins and his wife Jessica were feeling joyous on the drive home from the movie, “Black Panther.” Dustin, a music promoter and business consultant, was already thinking of ways to share the experience. Cravins reached out to the community for assistance. Keith Frank and Chris Ardoin, zydeco musicians that Cravins books regularly, responded with $1,000 to cover the ticket costs." Read More >>
Movers and Shakers: Dustin Cravins
"No authentic conversation about Creoles in southern Louisiana can exist without mentioning the Cravins family. These are some proud country folk down in Mallet (half-way between Opelousas and Eunice) who respects authentic quality while understanding that it takes time to achieve that quality. And they have a crystal clear understanding of what it means to be Creole." Learn More >>
Donald Cravins – Once Upon A Creole: The Remarkable Story of Donald Cravins Sr. of Louisiana
His smile is as infectious as his wit is quick. His opinions are both direct and unapologetic. A man of broad talents and unusual experience, to say the least, he is currently, “Mayor Donald Cravins” of the Creole city of Opelousas, Louisiana. Who is he and what do you know about him?
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