DIANNE HONORÉ, Big Queen of the Yellow Pocahontas and Queen of the Amazons, New Orleans, LA

The Event: Mona Lisa Saloy will recognize Dianne Honoré as a Louisiana Tradition Bearer in a ceremony at Dillard University.

HONORING DIANNE HONORÉ
Big Queen of the Yellow Pocahontas and Queen of the Amazons, New Orleans, LA
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 2:00 pm
Dillard University, PSB Atrium
Address: 2601 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70126

Ambassador: Dr. Mona Lisa Saloy, Conrad Hilton Endowed Chair, Professor of English, Dillard University, Poet Laureate

Partnering Organization: Dillard University

Tradition Bearer: Dianne Honoré, a cultural activist and seventh-generation New Orleanian, grew up in her family's legendary 6th ward Creole restaurant, Hank's. She attended St. Louis Cathedral Academy in the French Quarter where creatives, historic surroundings and a daily cast of characters influenced her future. That upbringing along with concurrent careers in tourism and professional nursing honed her focus on exploring marginalized histories and creating truthful narratives that evoke social change and aid in healing historical trauma. A powerful maker, she successfully utilizes multi-disciplinary art, food and music experiences, and historic interpretation. Presentations and curated events include the only descendant-curated tour along the River Road plantation landscape at Destrehan Plantation, a talk on "Foodways in the Black Masking Traditions" at the Quai Branly Musee in Paris, Fr. "From the Shackles to the Streets" exhibit at her own shop Gumbo Marie's Creole Store on Bayou Road, Big Chief Darryl Montana’s 50th year masking exhibition and tour, annual Allison "Big Chief" Tootie Montana Day memorial, multiple curated events focused on preserving and promoting Louisiana Creole language and traditions as well as events in partnership with such organizations as the New Orleans French Market.

She teaches the history and beading art of the Yellow Pocahontas Hunters at the Louisiana State Museum's Cabildo along with Big Chief Darryl Montana. She curates tours annually in conjunction with the Tennessee Williams Literary Festival, hosts private crafting workshops and is a Chef on staff at the New Orleans School of Cooking where she combines a live cooking demonstration with the history of Louisiana's foodways, presenting to thousands of visitors annually. She has appeared in numerous television ads and interviews promoting Louisiana history. A traditionalist and solid believer in active participation as a form of preservation, Ms. Honoré currently masks as Big Queen of the legendary Yellow Pocahontas Hunters Black Masking Indian tribe. The tribe in which her family member, Eugene Honoré masked as Chief in the early 1900s. He is also credited, by oral history, for rearranging the Creole song "M'alle couri dans deser," known today as the prayer song "Indian Red." She founded the Black Storyville Baby Dolls, celebrating the first masking Baby Dolls in Jim Crow era New Orleans, ca.1912, and as a three-time cancer fighter she founded the Amazons Benevolent Society, whose community service work is grounded in cancer advocacy, environmental racism and healthcare disparities. She also co-founded Unheard Voices of Louisiana, focusing on amplifying marginalized voices in Louisiana history. Programs include Healing Through History, the Honoré-Destrehan legacy experience, descendant-led Unheard Voices of the German Coast tour, and the Black Storyville tour.

Ms. Honoré was awarded the 2013 Recognition Award by the Louisiana Creole Research Association for Truthful Historical Storytelling and Contributions to Society, the 2018 Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame Capturing the Spirit award for her work in the community and preservation efforts. Recently, her custom-created 2018 Mardi Gras Baby Doll regalia was purchased by the Quai Branly Musee in Paris, France and is on permanent exhibit. Ms. Honoré recently completed a year-long Creative Assembly residency focused on the neighborhoods of New Orleans at the New Orleans Museum of Art. She is on the Board of Alliance Francaise New Orleans, OperaCreole and serves as President of the Tour Guides Association of Greater New Orleans.