About Me
Jennifer Rochon Blanks, PhD
I am a proud native of New Orleans, LA, a city where the natural beauty of the wetlands and the deep significance of cultural heritage first captured my heart. Growing up in an environment steeped in history, I developed a profound appreciation for the stories told through landscapes and sacred spaces. The wetlands, with their unique ecosystems, and the culturally rich heritage of New Orleans are both vulnerable to erasure due to climate change, which is where I now focus much of my work.
As an expert in environmental science, urban planning, historic preservation, and cultural resource management, I am dedicated to preserving African American cemeteries and burial grounds. These sacred sites are vital not only for their historical value but also for their emotional and cultural significance to communities. My work at The Cemetery Sista, LLC integrates academic knowledge with practical experience to protect these important spaces.
My journey is one that blends personal passion with professional expertise, and I am honored to help communities reclaim their heritage. Every cemetery holds a story, and through my work, I strive to ensure that these stories are not lost to time, but preserved for future generations.
Press, Features, & Recognitions
I have worked on various projects, including cemetery risk assessments, historic designation applications, and community-based preservation initiatives. My expertise in GIS, participatory mapping, and environmental planning allows me to address the complex challenges facing endangered burial grounds. View my CV here!
-
Blanks, J., Abuabara, A., Roberts, A., & Semien, J. (2021). Preservation at the Intersections: Patterns of Disproportionate Multihazard Risk and Vulnerability in Louisiana's Historic African American Cemeteries. Environmental Justice, 14(1), 1-13.
Roberts, R., Aduen, V. Blanks, J., Carter, S., Girault, K. (2023). Digital Juneteenth: Territorializing the Freedom Colony Diaspora. Public Culture, 34(3).
-
"Saving Texas Freedom Colonies, A Guide.”: This guidebook was created by undergraduate students on how to identify and treat freedom colony settlements. Access the download here.
The Texas Freedom Colonies Project State Transportation Project Guide: This is a "how-to" guide on utilizing the Texas Department of Transportation Project GIS Layers atop the Texas Freedom Colonies Project Atlas. Access the download here.
The Texas Freedom Colonies Project Cemetery Registry and Resources List: The African American Texas Cemetery Registry and list of resources are intended to aid cemetery management in at-risk, African American burial grounds. Explore the webpage here.
-
UC-Boulder Natural Hazards Center- Gone But Not Forgotten: Saving our Cemeteries From Disaster.Access the article here.
The Guardian: The quest to find African American graves before they’re lost to the climate crisis by Colleen Hagerty (September 10, 2021). Access the article here.
Esri Black History Month Program: “Cemetery management for natural disasters and preservation planning”Esri Black History Month Event at Esri Inc. Main campus in Redlands, California February 2020. Access the video here.
Partnerships, Collaborations, and Funders
The Cemetery Sista, LLC proudly acknowledges past and ongoing partnerships, research centers, and more who contributed to the many projects we have contributed too.
