Mitch Landrieu

Mitch Landrieu is an award-winning author, public figure and leader who rose to fame as the former mayor of New Orleans between 2010 and 2018. The son of former mayors Moon and Verna Landrieu, Mitch was born in 1956 and raised in his hometown of New Orleans. He speaks French, Spanish, and Italian in addition to English, and he has been an outspoken advocate for racial and social justice since his early teens.

In 2019, Mitch published his first book titled “In the Shadow of Statues: A White Southerner Confronts History”. This book, which has since been on the New York Times Best Seller list, is a powerful, moving story about Mitch’s journey to bridge the racial divide and strive for justice in the South as he worked to break down segregation and racism, defying expectations in the process. Throughout his story, he reflects on his family’s history, his views on race and privilege, and his experiences as mayor of the city of New Orleans fending off a powerful racism that threatened to completely take over his city.

“In the Shadow of Statues” has been widely praised for the honest and humble approach Mitch Landrieu takes to grappling with racism in the South. He breaks down his thoughts without being overly critical or accusatory, instead focusing on building bridges and creating a dialogue that ultimately helps move forward in a positive direction. He also goes into detail about how he led the campaign to remove Confederate statues from New Orleans, reminding readers that these monuments were meant to suppress and erase Black history, not glorify it.

In addition to “In the Shadow of Statues”, Mitch Landrieu has written numerous articles for the press, including The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, and The New York Times. He has also published two limited series for The Atlantic called “Race in America” and “The Future of Power.” In each of these, Mitch dives deep into the complicated nuances of racism and white supremacy in the United States, doing so in a manner that is neither prone to exaggeration or oversimplification.

Mitch Landrieu has also served as a consultant to universities and think thank organizations, such as NYU and the Brookings Institute. In these roles, he helps engage young people in civil dialogue on how to confront racism and promote just and inclusive societies. His commitment to justice and social action can be felt through the work that he has done and continues to do.

In addition to his career Mitch Landrieu is a dedicated family man. He is married to Gayle. Together they have two children, Samuel and Rachel. Aside from work and family, Mitch is a passionate advocate for several social issues, speaking and participating in events whenever he has the chance. An academic athlete, Mitch was a member of amateur sports teams and enjoys watching and playing sports.

Mitch Landrieu is an inspiring leader with a strong moral compass who continues to spread his message of justice, equity and inclusion through his work. His book, “In the Shadow of Statues: A White Southerner Confronts History” offers a glimpse into his personal journey and newfound perspectives on racism in the US, showing readers a way forward to accept and reconcile with our shared history. Through his multi-perspective approach to uncovering racial injustices and bridging divides, Mitch Landrieu remains a trailblazer in these ongoing conversations.