Sonnesyn Elementary School Hosting Community Celebration
New Hope, MN – January 12, 2015 – Sonnesyn Elementary School will host an Elders’ Wisdom, Children’s Song celebration honoring three community elders in their gym on Thursday, February 5, 2015, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM. Address: 3421 Boone Avenue North, New Hope, MN 55427. This year’s theme is ‘Honoring Men of Color’ and we are happy to shine a light on their life achievements.
Elder Wisdom, Children’s Song™ is brought to you by Community Celebration of Place (501-C-3) in partnership with Robbinsdale Area Schools and the West Metro Education Program (WMEP). Larry Long, Smithsonian Folkways Recording Artist and creator of Elders’ Wisdom, Children’s Song, has been working with 4th grade classes of Sarah Rodriguez, Jacqueline Ballot and Deb Petersen to collectively write songs that honor the life stories of the following community elders:
Michael Favor: Born in Athens, Georgia during the Civil Rights Movement. Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011. Graduated with a degree in Sociology, Social Work, and Coaching. Received his Masters Degree from Hamline University. Doctoral Degree is progress. Assistant Superintendent of the Robbinsdale School District.
Beni Persaud: Born in Guyana, South America. Worked as a child on the sugar plantations with his mother following his father’s death when he was seven years of age. After serving in the British Army he moved to Minnesota. Attended Dunwoody Institute. Married and has three daughters and one son. Retired from the railroad.
Samuel Wagner Cooke: Born in the Republic of Liberia, West Africa. Graduated with a Secondary Education Degree. Served as Research Director and Secretary General for the National Teachers Association. Elected to the West African Examinations Council, which develops policies for the five English speaking member-countries in West Africa; Liberia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Gambia, and Nigeria. Moved to Minnesota in 1998, where he received a Masters degree. Presently works for the Robbinsdale School District.
Sonnesyn’s Elders’ Wisdom, Children’s Song celebration on February 5, 2015 will feature 4th grade students with Larry Long, plus ‘the first lady of song’ Debbie Duncan and ‘stellar pianist’ Sam Reeves.
Contact Information:
Larry Long, Executive Director
Community Celebration of Place
3357 – 36th Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55406
612-722-9775
larrylong@communitycelebration.org
LeVarn Shelby, Equity Specialist
Sonnesyn Elementary School
3421 Boone Avenue North
New Hope, MN 55427
763-504-7668
levarn_shelby@rdale.org
Larry Long, called "a true American Troubadour" by author Studs Terkel, has made his life work the celebration of American stories. In a curriculum called Elders' Wisdom, Children's Song™, he has brought elders, long established and newly arrived, into the classroom to share their life story with the younger generation. A Smithsonian Folkways recording artist, Larry has sung at major festivals, concerts and events throughout the U.S. and internationally. Long is a recipient of the prestigious Bush Artists Fellowship, the Pope John XXIII Award and In The Spirit of Crazy Horse Award for his work in forgotten communities. Please visit: www.larrylong.org
Founded out of demand for Long’s work across the country, Community Celebration of Place is a
501(c)(3) non-profit organization that uses oral history, music and art to strengthen communities and foster
reconciliation. For more information: www.communitycelebration.org
The West Metro Education Program (WMEP) School District was formed in 1989 to cooperatively address integration issues in the west metro area. The mission of WMEP is to build the collective capacity of its members; to raise the achievement of all students; to eliminate the racial achievement gap; and to prepare all learners to thrive in a diverse world through regional leadership, integrated learning opportunities, shared resources, and mutual support. Member districts of WMEP are: Brooklyn Center, Columbia Heights, Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, Minneapolis, Richfield, Robbinsdale, St. Anthony/New Brighton, St, Louis Park, and Wayzata. Please visit: wmep.k12.mn.us
The mission of Robbinsdale Area Schools is to inspire and educate all learners to discover their potential and positively contribute to their community. For more information visit: www.rdale.org