New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu plans to make racism and race relations constant touchstones as New Orleans prepares to celebrate its 300th anniversary in 2018, NOLA.com reports.
Landrieu announced a commission composed of eight planning committees will help plan the 2018 celebration of the founding of New Orleans. One of the eight committees will be called the "racial reconciliation" committee.
Landrieu said Monday, "The incidents in Ferguson remind us that race is a complex issue that every city in the country has to address.”
The other committees include hospitality, community engagement, cultural and historical education, expatriate engagement, finance, international engagement and media and branding.
Landrieu said a foundation has been set up to collect private donations to fund the anniversary celebration.