Cherice Harrison-Nelson serves as the Maroon Queen of the Guardians of the Flame Maroon Society carries forward a lifelong commitment to culture, education, and community. I know her as Queen Reesie, though she also answers to Miss Nelson, and many of the children she’s mentored call her Mommy Queen. Each name reflects a different role she plays in the community—as a teacher, mentor, cultural bearer, and leader. After her father, Donald Harrison Sr., became an ancestor in 1998, Queen Reesie transformed her grief into action by helping establish the Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame. The Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame was created not only to honor her father, but to make sure that children could learn directly from the culture bearers in their own community. Harrison-Nelson continues the tradition of father bringing Mardi Gras Indians into local schools to teach children about their history, artistry, and traditions. In this video, her kids drummed in support of Cherice’s portrayal of a character she created—the Plague Doctor. We filmed this video on June 19, 2026, in observance of Juneteenth —Queen Reesie’s kids drummed in support of the character she created—the Plague Doctor. A crowd gathered outside the Cabildo telling the story of Jean Saint Malo and the generations who struggled for freedom. The Dirge of Saint Malo was read by Givonna Joseph I admire our Queen not only as a culture bearer but as a performer for her unwavering commitment in preserving and sharing African American, Afro-Indigenous, and New Orleans cultural history. Her mother, or as I call her “Ma,” appears in the video, holds a special place in my heart. Ma serves as a reminder that culture is passed on from one generation to the next through family, storytelling, and community. Whether performing, or serving as an educator, curator, artist, or Maroon Queen, Cherice Harrison-Nelson continues to be a positive force in the lives of not only children, but for many of us adults who continue to learn from her as well. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit harperpgentry.substack.com/subscribe
