A groundbreaking initiative in Louisiana is providing $1,000 monthly payments to a dozen Black residents, thanks to a $1 million donation from Deacon Leroy “Buck” Close and Gracie Close, descendants of a family whose wealth was built on the labor of enslaved people. This unique program, blending universal basic income with reparations, is part of the Louisiana ACLU’s Truth and Reconciliation Project Guaranteed Monthly Income, launched in December 2022.
The initiative seeks to address the lingering effects of systemic racism and inequalities in the criminal justice system, particularly in Louisiana, which has one of the highest incarceration rates in the United States. The program’s participants, including 40-year-old Janell Landry from near New Orleans, have already felt the impact of this support.
Landry’s experience with the criminal justice system underscores the challenges faced by many Black residents in Louisiana. In 2021, she was imprisoned for four days while pregnant, following a confrontation with the Kenner Police Department. The incident began when a shooting victim collapsed outside her home in September 2020. During the investigation, police discovered that a bullet had struck her car and entered her home, prompting officers to question her.
When Landry went to retrieve paperwork for legally owned firearms, police entered her home without a warrant and began searching her belongings. Familiar with police mistreatment in her predominantly Black neighborhood, Landry instinctively began recording the encounter, which echoed the troubling history of police misconduct in Louisiana, including the infamous 2016 shooting of Alton Sterling.
“I never trusted them,” Landry shared, reflecting on her experiences. “The things you see, the way they treat people, I knew I had to protect myself.”
Despite her insistence that police obtain a warrant before continuing their search, Landry was forced to stand outside her home in her pajamas for hours. She later recalled racist remarks made by one of the detectives, further fueling her mistrust. In January 2021, she was arrested on obstruction of justice charges, despite there being no warrant. During her time in custody, Landry, who was suffering from heart and thyroid conditions, was denied medication, and tragically, the stress of the ordeal led to a miscarriage.
Following her release, the charges against Landry made it difficult for her to find work and secure a liquor license for the events business she was trying to start. Although she eventually paid to have the charges expunged, the emotional and financial toll was significant.
“What was obstructed?” Landry questioned. “I never found out.”
The $1,000 monthly payments from the ACLU’s program have been a lifeline for Landry. With this financial support, she’s been able to focus on successfully running her events business. More than the money, Landry emphasized the program’s impact on her sense of validation.
Also, read; Africa-America Institute’s 40th Annual Awards Gala Set for September 24th in NYC
“They gave you that voice,” she said. “Your voice is heard. That’s what is major for me.”
The program, which is part of a larger effort to confront the legacy of slavery in America, has shown promising results. ACLU data reveals that participants have seen significant improvements in their ability to cover unexpected expenses, buy healthy groceries, and ensure their families have enough food.
Louisiana has long struggled with racial disparities in its criminal justice system, and the state’s history of racism and slavery continues to cast a shadow. Black residents are incarcerated at twice the rate of their population share, and the success rate for civilian complaints against the police remains low. The parallels between historical slave patrols and modern policing practices continue to resonate, especially in the South.
“We really want people to understand this as something that is owed,” said Maggy Baccinelli, the Louisiana ACLU’s senior director for philanthropy and community investment. “It’s not a handout. It’s what is owed to Black people for the history of this country and the vestiges of slavery.”
The Closes, who funded the initiative, were motivated after learning about their family’s wealth, which was tied to slavery. One of their ancestors, John Springs III, profited from land worked by enslaved people, and that wealth has supported the family for generations. As Buck and Gracie Close became more aware of this legacy, they felt compelled to contribute to efforts that address the long-standing impact of slavery.
Their $1 million donation to the Louisiana ACLU’s Truth and Reconciliation Project has sparked a larger conversation about reparations and the role that descendants of slave owners can play in supporting racial justice efforts.
For Landry and the other program participants, this initiative has provided much-needed relief while also offering hope for a future where their voices and experiences are acknowledged and respected.
