It's been a slow recovery since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans 10 years ago, but residents are hopeful that the city is returning to its roots.
New Orleanians are repopulating their city, reestablishing festive traditions, repairing historic landmarks, rebuilding churches and reinvigorating the educational system.
Things like "Who dat Saints" and Mardi Gras have always been staples in its rich history -- but it is the people who have undeniably made New Orleans the cultural hub it is today.
President Obama described the city as a place where “the jazz makes you cry and the funerals make you dance,” during his speech in New Orleans on Thursday.
Here are 35 uplifting photos that show resilient New Orleanians and capture the spirt of the city, one decade after Katrina:
Revelers embrace at the conclusion of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club 'second line' parade on May 17, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Traditional second line parades are put on by social aid and pleasure clubs organized by neighborhood in New Orleans. The parades represent a history of solidarity, empowerment and cultural pride within the African-American enclaves of the city.
People ride an original heritage streetcar on the St. Charles Avenue line on May 14, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. While some streetcars were destroyed during Hurricane Katrina, the antique St. Charles line cars survived. The line is considered the oldest continually operating streetcar line in the world.
A man carries a boom box during the Original Big 7 Social Aid and Pleasure Club 'second line' parade on May 10, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Club members march past the historic Carver Theater, named for former slave and famed botanist and inventor George Washington Carver, during the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club 'second line' parade on May 17, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
McDonogh #35 Senior High School graduates celebrate at their commencement at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on May 14, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Thousands of Hurricane Katrina survivors attempted to use the convention center as a shelter of last resort in the days following the storm, yet it lacked power, water, food and medical supplies. McDonogh 35 was damaged by flooding from Hurricane Katrina and was the first high school for African-Americans in the state of Louisiana. It is one of the last remaining traditional public schools in the city.
Running Bear Boxing Club owner Harry Sims whispers advice to a young boxer in front of the boxing ring built next to his home in the Lower Ninth Ward on August 20, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The outdoor boxing club was destroyed during Hurricane Katrina and it took about three years for Sims to be able to reuild the club. A number of youngsters train there on afternoons after school.
Students attend dance class at the Encore Academy charter school on May 13, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. More than 100 schools in the city were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
People gather at a birthday party at a repaired house which was flooded during Hurricane Katrina in the Lower Ninth Ward on May 16, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Principal Krystal Hardy (from l.), Kyley Pulphus, recruitment manager, and Kelsi Brooks King, director of early teacher development at Sylvanie Williams College Prep Elementary - a charter public school, react after recruiting a new teacher, on May 27, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
A band member stands performing in a music club on Frenchmen Street, a live music area traditionally known by locals but now popular with tourists, on August 21, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The tourism industry has rebounded strongly in the city following Katrina and last year the city had nearly as many visitors as the year before the storm.
The 'Junior Queen' stands at the Original Big 7 Social Aid and Pleasure Club 'second line' parade on May 10, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Traditional second line parades are put on by social aid and pleasure clubs organized by neighborhood in New Orleans. The parades represent a history of solidarity, empowerment and cultural pride within the African-American enclaves of the city. The Original Big 7 was the first individual club to hold their parade, in 2006, following Hurricane Katrina.
Club members march during the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club 'second line' parade on May 17, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Traditional second line parades are put on by social aid and pleasure clubs organized by neighborhood in New Orleans. The parades represent a history of solidarity, empowerment and cultural pride within the African-American enclaves of the city.
Students attend music class at the Encore Academy charter school on May 13, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. More than 100 schools in the city were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Following Katrina, New Orleans' decimated public school system was almost entirely revamped and now approximately 94 percent of city students attend independently run charter schools. Encore Academy's performing arts focused program is outpacing most other open admission charter schools in academic performance in the city.
Students attend class at the Encore Academy charter school on May 13, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. More than 100 schools in the city were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Following Katrina, New Orleans' decimated public school system was almost entirely revamped and now approximately 94 percent of city students attend independently run charter schools. Encore Academy's performing arts focused program is outpacing most other open admission charter schools in academic performance in the city.
Club members pose during the Original Big 7 Social Aid and Pleasure Club 'second line' parade on May 10, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Traditional second line parades are put on by social aid and pleasure clubs organized by neighborhood in New Orleans. The parades represent a history of solidarity, empowerment and cultural pride within the African-American enclaves of the city. The Original Big 7 was the first individual club to hold their parade, in 2006, following Hurricane Katrina.
Twin brothers and Hurricane Katrina survivors De'Shane and Dennis Sims, 14, pose before departing in a pickup truck after training at the Running Bear Boxing Club, run by their grandfather Harry Sims next to his home in the Lower Ninth Ward, on August 20, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The teens were four years old when they were rescued from the flooding in the neighborhood by their grandfather and taken to the Superdome. The gym was destroyed during Hurricane Katrina and it took about three years for Sims to be able to reuild the club. A number of youngsters train there on afternoons after school.
Principal Krystal Hardy works on next year's mentoring partnerships for teachers at Sylvanie Williams College Prep Elementary - a charter public school, on May 27, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Mary Picot looks stands in front of her home near a levee in the Lower Ninth Ward, on July 22, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her original house was destroyed when the levee broke. It's been ten years since hurricane Katrina devastated neighborhoods throughout the city. Her house was built by Brad Pitt's foundation. While many homes have been rebuilt, there are still many empty lots where homes used to stand.
Revelers march during the Valley of the Silent Men second line parade on August 23, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Traditional second line parades are put on by social aid and pleasure clubs organized by neighborhood in New Orleans. The parades represent a history of solidarity, empowerment and cultural pride within the African-American enclaves of the city.
McDonogh #35 Senior High School graduates stand at their commencement at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on May 14, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Thousands of Hurricane Katrina survivors attempted to use the convention center as a shelter of last resort in the days following the storm, yet it lacked power, water, food and medical supplies. McDonogh 35 was damaged by flooding from Hurricane Katrina and was the first high school for African-Americans in the state of Louisiana. It is one of the last remaining traditional public schools in the city.
A man waves while bicycling past a destroyed home (TOP L) in the Lower Ninth Ward on August 20, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The neighborhood was devastated by the flooding following Hurricane Katrina and only around 37 percent of residents have returned.
Visiting pageant queens from other Louisiana towns pose for a photo at the Plaquemines Parish Seafood Festival Queen pageant on May 16, 2015 in Belle Chasse, Louisiana. Seafood is one of the main industries in Plaquemines parish.
Kids jump rope at the Sobaluavro family home at the conclusion of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club 'second line' parade on May 17, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Traditional second line parades are put on by social aid and pleasure clubs organized by neighborhood in New Orleans. The parades represent a history of solidarity, empowerment and cultural pride within the African-American enclaves of the city.
Survivor Robert Green pauses while posing in front of his new home, constructed by the Make It Right Foundation, in the Lower Ninth Ward on May 14, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. His mother and granddaughter perished after clinging to the roof during flooding of their former home on the same location in the Lower Ninth.
Troy Richard plays football with his kids outside their home in front of the rebuilt Industrial Canal levee wall in the Lower Ninth Ward on May 12, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The levee was destroyed during Hurricane Katrina and people have been slowly moving back to the formerly devastated neighborhood ever since.
Esther Joseph sweeps in her flood damaged home which is still being rebuilt in the Lower Ninth Ward on May 15, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. She hopes to move into the house when completed by the end of the year.
People gather at a birthday party at a repaired house which was flooded during Hurricane Katrina in the Lower Ninth Ward on May 16, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Ohio State student volunteers with lowernine.org help rebuild a home heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina flooding in the Lower Ninth Ward on May 15, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Residents continue to slowly return to the Lower Ninth Ward although much of the area remains uninhabited.
Eugene Trufant stands in front of his home in the Lower Ninth Ward, on May 28, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Truant's home was destroyed by hurricane Katrina. He moved to Georgia for a while. He has lived in this home five years. It was built by Brad Pitt's Make it Right Foundation which builds sustainable homes for people in need. It has been almost 10 years since hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, devastating many neighborhoods. Rebuilding has been slow and controversial.
People gather in the community that was formerly the St. Bernard housing projects, which flooded during Hurricane Katrina, on May 10, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The formerly crime-ridden projects have been transformed into mixed-income housing now known as Columbia Parc at the Bayou District.
Club members and performers march during the Divine Ladies Social Aid and Pleasure Club 'second line' parade on May 17, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Traditional second line parades are put on by social aid and pleasure clubs organized by neighborhood in New Orleans. The parades represent a history of solidarity, empowerment and cultural pride within the African-American enclaves of the city.
A general view of the atmosphere at St. Heron's '17 Wards' Weekend Wine & Grind for Essence Festival at Etoile Polaire No 1 on July 4, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana.