Zulu: A living history of New Orleans culture in motion

By Ryan Whirty
Contributing Writer

Exactly a century ago, the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club became official, and in the years since, New Orleans’ most famous Carnival krewe has continually set standards, broken barriers and delighted Mardi Gras celebrants.

While the roots of Zulu went back several years before, in 1916 the club was incorporated and its organizational by-laws and mission were codified, and the club’s presence during Mardi Gras steadily grew, as did the way Zulu members celebrated the uniquely New Orleans holiday.

The things that became synonymous with Mardi Gras – painted coconut throws, grass skirts, the parade’s prestigious slot first thing on Mardi Gras morning, the arrival of each year’s King and Queen Zulu with a majestic flourish on a river-borne boat – have evolved and grown in popularity.

As that’s happened, Zulu’s fame has grown beyond the city that birthed it and has become an international tourist attraction, with throngs of parade-goers and partiers arriving in the Crescent City to experience Zulu.

But even though the club and its parade krewe have become internationally known, its members continue to preserve and enhance their history, traditions and social impact on the New Orleans community.

“Being a member of Zulu is being a part of an historic organization rooted in community, resilience, joy and creativity,” said club spokesperson Darren Mire. “Zulu is not just a parade. It is a living history of New Orleans culture in motion. We are a pillar of service, not just a spectacle. A Zulu member recognizes that Mardi Gras is one day, but Zulu’s commitment to this city is 365 days a year.”

That commitment continues to be reflected annually in the selection of Zulu’s royal court.

Serving as this year’s King Zulu and Queen Monique Chatman, both lifelong residents of Jefferson Parish.

Dr. Tassin is the manager of Student Partnerships and Programs at InspireNOLA Schools, where he works to cultivate networks between schools, community organizations and civic leaders, expanding student access to resources and opportunities through culturally-responsive programming and student-centered advocacy.

His passion for service began as an educator in the Orleans Parish School System, where he taught at both Drew Elementary and Sophie B. Wright. The early experiences deepened his understanding of the challenges faced by local youths, eventually leading Dr. Tassin to found Assurance Care Provider, LLC, a behavioral health agency providing mental health and substance abuse services to individuals and families.

He has spent years mentoring youths within the Juvenile Justice System, guided by the philosophy that no young person is beyond redemption, as well as working with young athletes and students at Jesse Owens Playground (JPRD Sports). In 2018, Dr. Tassin founded the Audrey Mae Tassin Foundation, in honor of his late mother, to provide direct support to underserved families and to support community organizations and initiatives, including the Zulu Maid Scholarship Fund.

Dr. Tassin has been an active member of the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club since 2006, and has served in numerous capacities, including as its current treasurer. He believes the role of King Zulu is a sacred responsibility to be led with humility, honor for those who came before and an investment in the next generation.

He holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts in criminal justice from Southern University at New Orleans as well as a doctorate of management in criminal justice from Colorado Technical University.

Queen Zulu is Sharell Monique Chatman – and Dr. Tassin’s niece – works within the engineering department of Jefferson Parish government, where she is responsible for infrastructure planning and process optimization.

Aside from her professional endeavors, Chatman’s dedication to service is exercised through her involvement in faith-based and community organizations. She is a devoted member of Kenner Calvary Baptist Church, serves as a member of the Omicron Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, embodying the sorority’s core mission of sisterhood, scholarship and service. Chatman also serves as vice president and board member of the Audrey Mae Tassin Foundation, named in honor of her grandmother.

As Queen Zulu, Chatman calls it an honor she views as more than ceremonial. Selected by King-Elect Zulu 2026 (and her uncle) Dr. Ron Tassin, Chatman sees the role as a platform to celebrate culture, promote unity and inspire community uplift. She expresses heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Tassin and the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club, Inc. for the opportunity to lead with purpose and pride especially in a way that empowers young girls and women to follow in her footsteps.

Chatman graduated from Xavier University Preparatory High School before obtaining dual degrees at Northwestern State University of Louisiana: a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering Technology and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology before completing a master’s degree in computer engineering at Colorado State University. She is the daughter of Tyrell and Cynthia Chatman Sr., and the granddaughter of the late Adam and Audrey Tassin Sr. and Bobby and Gloria Chatman-Peters Sr.

Including the work being done by Tassin and Chatman, the ways the club and its members have had a positive effect on the community are myriad and have been developed and cultivated just as long as Zulu’s parade traditions have. Originally formulated to assist club members and their families in times of need, the krewe also became the first in New Orleans to integrate and accept members of all races, religions and ethnic backgrounds, something club members view as crucial to its stated mission of spreading benevolence and goodwill.

But in addition, Zulu offers several charitable efforts within the local community, functions that both benefit the city’s residents (especially youths) and keep the club’s cultural and social impact alive and thriving.

“Zulu supports scholar-ships, mentoring and service initiatives throughout the year, making an impact far beyond parade day,” Mire said. “By engaging in the community, we are able to gain the respect of our youth and elders alike. Zulu visits many schools and senior centers throughout the year sharing our history and culture with those who will listen.”

Even with its tremendous, diverse impact on the local community and its year-long commitment to social benevolence and unity, in many ways the club’s annual centerpiece is its Mardi Gras parade, and, Mire said, each member invests a great deal of work, persistence and pride every year to make the festive procession the best it can be.

“The members of Zulu view Mardi Gras day as a culmination of a year-long planning,” he said. “We have a critique meeting after Mardi Gras where we hear from the membership of what went wrong and what went right during the Carnival season. We use this meeting as a springboard to begin planning for next year’s events. We, in Zulu, pride ourselves on making each year better than the previous year.”

That dedication and philosophy was certainly on display this year. Just remember each year that when you are in the crowds celebrating the spectacle, catching coconuts and playfully interacting with the marching club members, Zulu is much more than a massive party – it’s a movement, one that enriches the community year-round for more than a century.

Zulu isn’t just part of New Orleans. It is New Orleans.

This article originally published in the February 16, 2026 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.