IN PHOTOS: Former mayors Landrieu and Purcell talk common ground at Dialogue Vanderbilt ‘250 Conversations on America’ event

IN PHOTOS: Former mayors Landrieu and Purcell talk common ground at Dialogue Vanderbilt ‘250 Conversations on America’ event IN PHOTOS: Former mayors Landrieu and Purcell talk common ground at Dialogue Vanderbilt ‘250 Conversations on America’ event Mitch Landrieu of New Orleans and former Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell discussed rebuilding cities, working across divides and the country’s future at a Dialogue Vanderbilt event in Central Library. Siena Mahdi Former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu points toward former Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell as they laugh in Central Library, as photographed Oct. 13, 2026. (Hustler Multimedia/Siena Mahdi) By Siena Mahdi, Staff Photographer 4 hours ago Dialogue Vanderbilt hosted former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu and former Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell on Oct. 13 in Central Library’s Community Room as part of its “250 Conversations on America” series. About 60 students, faculty and community members attended. Purcell, a Vanderbilt Law School alumnus who now teaches undergraduate public policy at Vanderbilt, led the conversation.  The two former mayors shared lessons from leading their cities and discussed what it will take to find common ground and strengthen democracy for the next 250 years.   “I believe that unity is our superpower,” Landrieu said.  Gallery • 2 Photos Siena Mahdi Two chairs and microphones sit ready on stage before the event begins in Central Library, as photographed Oct. 13, 2026. (Hustler Multimedia/Siena Mahdi) Rebuilding New Orleans Landrieu became mayor as New Orleans was still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. He said his approach to improving a city is the same as improving yourself.  “Go home and look in the mirror and ask yourself… ‘Where did I go right? Where did I go wrong?’ Cities are like a human thing,” Landrieu said.  That question shaped his vision to build the city back the way he said it should have been if the city got it right the first time. It also led him to remove four Confederate monuments, a fight he said took seven lawsuits and 13 judges.   “I can’t honestly leave them up because they’re so uninviting,” Landrieu said.  Gallery • 4 Photos Siena Mahdi Former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu speaks to the audience in Central Library, as photographed Oct. 13, 2026. (Hustler Multimedia/Siena Mahdi) Why be a mayor Purcell noted that Landrieu knew “the best job was the job of mayor” long before it was seen that way and asked him how he knew.  “My father was the mayor of New Orleans from the time I was ten till the time I was eighteen, so I got to watch him… Of all my eight brothers and sisters, I’m the one that jumped in the car with him every time he was going someplace,” Landrieu said.   “I actually had a dream about my grandchildren, who I did not have at the time… asking me, ‘Papa, when they were trying to take the monuments down, what did you do?’… I could not answer anything other than I did what I was supposed to do,” Landrieu said.   Gallery • 4 Photos Siena Mahdi Landrieu listens with his arms crossed as Purcell speaks, as photographed Oct. 13, 2026. (Hustler Multimedia/Siena Mahdi) Looking to the next 250 years  Landrieu said leaders are not the only ones responsible for the country’s divisions.   “Can I tell you a secret about politicians? Now, you check me if I’m wrong, because you’re a politician, right? I’m a proud politician. But we kind of act the way our voters want us to act,” Landrieu said.   He warned that if Americans do not start making better decisions and trying to work together, the country will be left with a mess to work its way out of. He urged the audience to help with this effort.    “Organize the community in a way where you have good choices to make,” Landrieu said.  Gallery • 3 Photos Siena Mahdi Attendees fill the Community Room in Central Library, as photographed Oct. 13, 2026. (Hustler Multimedia/Siena Mahdi) Landrieu ended the evening with what he called a simple but hard idea: that Americans can be better than they are now, and that they are better together.   “America was designed to be better together,” Landrieu said.  View Story Comments 0 Like This Story Share on Facebook Share on X Email this Story Print this Story Tags: dialogue vanderbilt Nashville Mayor politics Leave a comment About the Contributor Siena Mahdi, Staff Photographer Siena Mahdi (’29) is from Newport Beach, California, and is majoring in human and organizational development and cognitive studies with a business minor. She enjoys spending time outdoors, especially at the beach, and loves being active in the sun whenever she can. When she’s not studying, you can usually find her going on walks, listening to music or relaxing outside with friends. She can be reached at [email protected]. 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