What a Press Trip to New Orleans Taught Me About Music, Community, and Shared Legacy

Acura took me to NOLA for Shorty Fest, and it was more than a brand trip. It was a front-row seat to how New Orleans protects its culture.

As soon as I landed and walked out of the airport, that Louisiana humidity hit my face—and I was so happy! I could smell the good food in the air, and my driver greeted me with that signature Southern hospitality, giving me a mini tour on the way to the hotel. As he shared historic facts about the city, I instantly felt safe, at home, and curious to know more about NOLA.

As we got closer to the hotel, I could hear music and drums in the distance, and I knew I was exactly where I needed to be—ready to experience and celebrate music and Black culture with Acura at Shorty Fest. But here’s the thing. I came in with my own assumptions about what “culture” in New Orleans looked like. I thought Jazz Fest and Shorty Fest would be filled with only Black folks. 

But whew—was I mistaken!

Acura’s presence at Shorty Fest isn’t some brand visibility tactic but intentionally backing a cultural movement. As the presenting sponsor, Acura helped bring together a powerful lineup at the legendary Tipitina’s, with Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Black Opry Revue, and young musicians from the Trombone Shorty Academy all sharing the stage. Their support helps keep this annual celebration alive between Jazz Fest weekends, reinforcing their commitment to music, education, and New Orleans culture.

This partnership really showed me that Acura values culture with intention and is committed to keeping music alive and accessible for the next generation in New Orleans. What I loved about this trip is that even though I was treated like a queen —fully in my Black Girl Luxury mode—it also gave me real moments that connected me to the city like a local. I learned so much about what life was like for Black people in the South during Jim Crow and the fight through generations of racial unrest, and how music helped people get through those times.

Before this trip, I really thought Jazz Fest would be filled with Black folks. But when I got to the main stage, it was mostly white people, shoulder to shoulder, vibing hard, and showing real love for jazz. And that’s when it hit me: New Orleans culture doesn’t just belong to Black people, but it absolutely comes from us, and the whole city respects that. It’s a shared legacy, passed through generations and protected by the people who live it every day.

I saw that legacy in motion through Trombone Shorty himself. Not only is he a product of New Orleans’ music tradition, but he created the Trombone Shorty Foundation to make sure young people have the chance to learn instruments, perform, and create real opportunities for themselves. Watching those students rehearse for Shorty Fest was powerful. For them it's so much more than playing music, they are stepping into something much bigger.

And I felt that same energy in the kids I saw in the streets, playing their instruments like it was second nature. That wasn’t just talent. That was tradition—alive and pulsing through a new generation. It made me think about how music helped me survive some of the hardest chapters of my life. Being in marching band and locking into some of my favorite songs kept me sane enough to keep going when I wanted to quit. Seeing them, I saw myself. I saw healing. I saw legacy being protected and passed on with love.

Shorty Fest felt like a place where the old and new come together naturally. Trombone Shorty’s commitment to music education was clear in the way young musicians took the stage. The energy between generations was undeniable. The elders showed deep respect for the roots while the younger performers added fresh energy and new twists. It was like evolution happening right in front of me, and it was amazing to witness it.

There is a real urgency to keep this culture moving. Music here is more than a sound or a song, it's more like survival, identity, and community wrapped into one. Watching Shorty Fest, I saw how passing this legacy on is a responsibility taken seriously and done with pride and passion. I’ve seen festivals and cities where culture feels like a show for tourists or something watered down to please the crowd. New Orleans isn’t like that. Here, music is always front and center. It’s sacred, loved, and part of daily life, and that's what sets it apart from any other festival.

Acura’s support of Shorty Fest made it possible for me to see that up close. I knew this wasn’t just a sponsored party or event by the way they are investing in a culture and community in New Orleans. Being part of that made me rethink my role as a storyteller. I realized how important it is to tell these stories with the respect and care they deserve, not just from the outside looking in.

The music flows through New Orleans in every corner, from the streets to the schools. Watching young people at Shorty Fest prepare to carry on the tradition made it clear that this culture is still standing and progressing. Acura’s support helped make this experience possible and showed how important it is to invest in the future of this legacy. In NOLA, culture is more than good food and a good time; it's an immersive experience that the whole community shares and protects.

I look forward to next year!

Catch all the visual tea from my NOLA adventure with Acura over on my YouTube—trust me, the vibes were too good not to film.