Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School

The Sankofa Bird Newsletter
of
Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School
4256 Paul Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19124
Telephone #-215– 288 –2001
Volume 4/Issue 2
Sankofa Freedom
Academy Charter School
Leadership Team
Dr. Mama Ayesha Imani, CEO
Bro. Isa Clark, Director of
Operations
Mama Geraldine Newton,
Business Manager
Bro. Elisha Tigah, Technology
Coordinator
Sis. Dr. Kelli Mickens
Sis. Nieka Brown, Middle
School Coordinator
Mama Diane Holliday, Upper
School Coordinator
Mama Pat Morales, Lead
Teacher k-1
Baba Norman Bayard, Dean of
Students—Upper School
Bro, Darrius Rowser, Dean of
Middle Schol
Bro. Maurice Patterson, Student Support Specialist, Lower
School
Baba Ras Angolo Tafari—
Special Education Coordinator
December, 2012—January, 2013
Peace and Blessings from Dr. Mama: Inspiring Excellence
As we look back on 2012 we
do so with both gratitude for all
that has been accomplished. We
are growing in so many ways.
We have grown in number from
300 when we opened to 600
students now. We have grown
in terms of programming as we
now have a thriving early years,
elementary, middle, upper, and
pre-college school. In the year
2012, we witnessed our growth
as an institution as we were
granted our 5 year charter.
Yet beyond gratitude, the
events of 2012 have provided us
with the inspiration to reach
further, climb higher, and strive
for greater excellence. We find
ourselves inspired by the progress made by our kindergarten
students who as a class had
almost 100% of the scholars
enter 1st grade reading on
grade level. This affirmed our
belief that all of our children no
matter their circumstances can
learn if we are patient, consis-
tent, and responsive to them.
edition of the Sankofa Bird.
Watching the 4th and 5th
grade martial arts presentation
was absolutely thrilling and inspires us to provide meaningful
outlets for our children to bring
body, mind, and spirit together
to promote holistic health and
fitness.
You will also will find inspiration in the writing of the Sankofa
Freedom Academy Ambassadors
to Gambia. Their reflections during their service project in Gambia,
West Africa motivate us to take
the educational process more seriously. Their reflections also testify
to the efficacy and power of a
Witnessing the transforma- Sankofa Freedom education. Fition of our middle school, renally, I am inspired by the particiminds us of what good leaderpation of many faithful parents who
ship, team work, and opportuni- consistently come out to support
ties for students to shine can do
for young people who are look- our various activities
ing for guidance as they come
From the beauty and Maatic
into the heart of adolescence.
examples of our Kindergarteners
This is exemplified by the excel- in Yoruba to the intellectual depth
lent middle school activities in
of our seniors in Nubia, we are
2012 and the fine role models
blessed to behold glimpses of exthe middle school students have cellence, hope, and promise. As
provided for our elementary
we begin 2013, let’s resolve to
school scholars. This was really continue to continue on our path
evident during the Reading Un- toward excellence.
der the Stars program. You will
read more about our reading
under the stars evening in this
Sankofa/CCP Dual Enrollment Program
Transformation
Congratulations to those
seniors who have just finished
the first semester in college.
This year we had eight students
taking courses at Community
College of Philadelphia. Some
audited courses and others
received full college credit for
the courses that were taken.
These students took a range of
classes including psychology,
sociology, women’s studies,
acting, and ceramics.
We are extremely proud of
these young people. Each of
them has already been accepted
by multiple colleges for next
year. Surely, having attended
college in this their senior year
will better prepare them for the
future. Our dual enrollment
scholars are: Antonio DillWord, Sadeeq Abdullah, Kendra
Mickens, Najla Ross Green,
Najah Ross-Green, Cristian
Gary, and pictured to the right
Emma Blackson and Erina
White.
Congratulations Honor Roll Scholars First Report
Yoruba –Kindergarten
Zaire Alston
Shjonna Ayers-Davis
Deandre Baerga
Raheam Benjamin
Naji Bey
Zyrah Bowman
Ziyyons Bredell
Ah’mya Long
Tayden Mines
Christian Mitchell-Brown
Dylan Raines
Aniyah Wilkes
Gimir Worley
Asiya Bowman
Sani Hamlin
Genayah Johnson
George Lane
Rayana Massey
Delaney Raines
Rahzir Seals
Raheen Thomas
Kongo—1st Grade
Yasir Anderson
Davieyana Brown
Shawn Copeland
Jazmyn Covington
Vaughn Fleming
Asad Hopson
Keon Kenner
Janiyah Lott
Atiyah Luby
Mekhi Millien
Malika Turner
Semalah Wallace
Zaire White
Gabriel Wilkes
Kaiyana Allen
Bashir Brister
Keyon Burns
Jeremiyah Carter
Kazeem Coleman
Shamira Garbett
Rashia Goosby
Kayla Hamlin
Samiah Harper
Za’Riyah Johnson
Jahriya Jones
Reginald Joseph
T’keyah Lewis
Serenity Lowe
Braxton McNeil
Ibn-Abdul Messiah
Jovanica Raphhael
Sameer Robinson
Zhair Williams
Kush-2nd Grade
Ylani Roman-Baerga
Tytiana Andrews-Rowe
Nekaya Austin
Joshua Campbell
Isaiah Copeland
Jae’quan Gillis
Keonna Henderson
Ibrahim Idris
Nathan Johnson
Siani Johnson
Maliha Lewis
Raihmear Martin
Bryan McNeil
Subour Nuruddin
Kaleah Peterson
Iyannah Price
Donae Thomas
Taray Turner-Wilmore
Quraan Williams
Songhai-3rd Grade
Talicia Bridges
Ryan Brown
Ishtar El
Eric Gentry
Jaden Gillis
Kayla Harris
Ade Hopson
Amataadi Latham
Shaun Sanders-Bradford
Girbran Worley
Jamiah Blackwell
Ijnanya Briggs
Alaisha Colon
Diamana Giddings
Natural Guerra
Jason Peterson
Samarah Tahir
Nykyah Watson
Saniyah Wilkins
Zulu—4th Grade
Tiana Bing
Nasir Brookins
Zayda Flanagan
Martin Gillis
Makhia Kenner
Elijah Mitchell
Fatoumata Sillah
Zulu (con’d)
Shaun Snyder
Shania Walden
Isaiah Webb
Dwayne Well
Myya Ziegler
Jasmine Hunt
Nadira Moore
Dogan—5th Grade
Tahirah Arter
Maryam Bint-Shafeeq
Jeremiah Butler
Steven Garcia
Jayda Gill
Qyadir Hines
Luis Padilla
Nyree Shelton
Jahmir Gleaves
Jadon Norris
Marquan Thomas
Sean Thomas
Rasa Watson
Jasmine Winchester
Bambara—6th Grade
Chamera Abdullah
Rajaa Bint-Idris
Alfonse Bowman
Ian Chappelle
Zayaan Cobb
Savannah Gaffney-Glenn
Destiny Gregg
Michaella Howard
Gabrielle Jelks
Unique Lowe
Alexandrea Montilus
Keolebogile More
Paulinda Nicholson
Cion Rawls
Aniyah Shelton
Zakariyya Toomer
Nadira Brown
Jada Patterson
Heavenlei Reyes
Jaymes Savage
Yusef Smith
Shaitera Thompson
Shyree Walden
Fulani—7th Grade
Christian Colon
Miya Ingram
Tariq Mines
Nailah Robinson
Marayah Roher
Rashae Rohester-Cottle
Fulani (con’d)
Sierra Lumsden
Diamond Mack
Jada McLeod
Andryanna Smith
Taheerah Grady
Dagara—9th Grade
Sahir Chambers
Sadiq Stith
Jamil Williams
Rasheeda Boelter
Folande Jean-Baptiste
Essence Lawson
Axuum—10th Grade
Esraa Abdelwahab
Najean Johnson
Infinity Pennington
Jennifer Ramos
Aminah Wilkinson
Lencys Calcano
Alexis Cofer
Kenny Richardson
Rashid Young
Kemet-11th Grade
Simeon Browne
Tammye Caldwell
Zainabou Dabo
Tiana Johnson
Jazzmaine Lancit
Sakwon Ali-Epps
Nyeerah Long
Jaylen Price
Nubia—12th Grade
Sadeeq Abdullah
Emma Blackson
Antonio Dill-Word
Tashae Donaldson
Sade Duke
Cristian Garay
Rayon Hurde
Kendra Mickens
Felicia Richards
Briana Robinson-Wallace
Najah Ross-Green
Erina White
Robert McKenzie
Volume 4/Issue 2
Page 3
Sankofa Freedom Academy Celebrates Excellence!
‘
On December 8, 2012 over 250 parents, students and staff members
gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of the honor roll students for
first report period. It was absolutely thrilling to see so many scholars and
their proud parents and siblings at this event. As usual, the honor roll
breakfast featured students leading us in the pouring of libations, the
Ankh Ws Snb, and the final pledge. We are grateful to the teachers who
came out in support of the families and it is always so wonderful to spend
time with the fabulous parents, grandparents and other family members of
our scholars and servant leaders. It was noted that we have students who
have consistently been at every honor roll breakfast since we opened in
2009. No doubt we are building traditions of excellence. (Photo: Left:
Early Years Honr Roll Scholar, Asiya Bowman with Dr. Mama. Shown
NE
below Group Pictures of Honor Roll Scholars from the Nations of
Songhai and Kush )
WE ARE THE DRUM: SHOUT OUT TO THE MIGHTY MIDDLE DRUM CORPS
Congratulations Sankofa Student Council 2012-2013
Lower School
President: Rasa Watson
Vice-President: Jayda Gill
Secretary: Ade Hopson
Treasurer: Ryan Brown
Middle School
President: Marayah Roher
Vice-President: Lariq Byrd
Secretary: Michaella Howard
Treasurer: Cion Rawls
Upper School
President: Simeon Brown
VP: Aboubacar Doukoure
Secretary: Tashae Donaldson
Treasurer: Felicia Richards
Page 4
Newsletter Title
Sankofa Freedom Academy Celebrates Kwanzaa
From Early Years to Pre-College, Sankofa Freedom
Academy Charter School ended calendar year 2012 with
multiple celebrations of Kwanzaa! As many of you know
Kwanzaa is an African American Cultural holiday from
December 26 to January 1st that focuses on building
stronger families, communities, and uplifting positive
values in our world. Kwanzaa at Sankofa was celebrated
with the lighting of candles, drumming, skits, feast, and of
course the pouring of libations in remembrance of our
ancestors. The Lower School celebration featured an
outstanding martial arts demonstration from Mama Talibah’s elective. It was especially wonderful to have so
many parents join us for the the middle years and the
early years celebrations. Special thanks to the parents of
the Mighty Middle for all of the food that was donated to
the Middle School feast. What a blessing it is to be in a
school community where the principles of the Nguzo
Saba are celebrated all year long. Let’s keep it going.
Celebrate Kwanzaa!
Good Job, Good Job! To the Kwanzaa 2012 Celebrants
Kwanzaa Photographs
To the right: Dr. Mama and Parent Paparazzi
at the Early Years Kwanzaa
Lower Left: Upper School lighting of the candles lead by Rashid Young and Jamil Williams,
Lower Right: The drumming at Kwanzaa was
wonderful throughout. Pictured bottom right
are upper school drummers Taje Oliver and
Danny Turner.
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Volume 4/Issue 2
Page 5
Reading Under the Stars— A Night To Remember!
It was an absolutely amazing Night as our December Parent Wazuri
Meeting was transformed into what has become an absolutely magical
evening where our love for literacy and learning are celebrated at
Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School. That’s right its our semiannual Reading Under the Stars event.
Once again Reading Under the Stars was coordinated by our Middle
School Coordinator, Sis. Nakia Brown. This year, Sis. Brown with the
help and support of staff, servant leaders, and parents pulled off a wildly
successful evening that was attended by close to 200 parents, student,
and staff. Our focus for our Title One Parent Meetings this year is
literacy, so Reading Under the Starts was a perfect culmination of the
sessions from the first quarter of Parent Meetings.
Student and staff came in pajamas with their flashlights and books ready
for tummy time on the floor of Harambee Hall. Small groups of scholars gathered around to share a story and do an activity that extended
the text. Small groups were lead by the Upper School Servant Leaders
– Antonio Dill-Word and Shakira Henry, the Middle School Warriors
basketball team engaged a group of little brothers in a reading activity,
and facilitators from early years, lower and middle school all joined in
to celebrate our love for reading. While students gathered in their
groups under the stars with flashlights, parents crowded into a seminar
led by Katina Mackey Green our 3rd grade facilitator who has a Masters in Education with a concentration on Reading. Their evening
ended with a book give-a-way and refreshments. A great time was had
by all. Can’t wait for the next Reading Under the Stars in the spring.
See you there!
(Photos: Top-Parents Gathering for event under the leadership of Sis. Brown, Middle– Middle School scholars with Baba
Ras Angola and Sis. K, Third-Bro. Antonio Dill and Sis.
Shakira Henry engage kindergarten scholars from Yoruba in a
reading activity)
Reading is Fundamental! Come to
the Parent Literacy Workshops and
Build A stronger Family of Readers!
Next Meeting February 12th
Page 6 - Volume 4/Issue 2
The Sankofa Bird Newsletter
Voices From Africa—Reflections from the Gambian Servant Leader Ambassadors
On November 27, 2012 eight servant leaders (Sadeeq Abdullah, Quadirah Milburn, Najla Ross-Green, Najah
Ross-Green, Kashan Johnson, Tydeus Ellison, and Antonio Dill-Word) and 3 chaperones (Sis Dr. Kelli, Bro.
Isa, and Mama Holliday) embarked on a life changing journey to the motherland in Gambia, West Africa. The purpose
of this service project was to join with Dr. Francine Fulton to
assist with literacy and construction projects in the school
that she founded, the Imani School in Africa. While in Gambia the students worked with young scholars, visited Goree
island, connected with their African peers, and helped build
bricks for an extension of the school. On the next two pages
are reflections from a few of our ambassadors. To read even
more reflections please visit their open Facebook page:
Sankofa Freedom Academy Ambassadors! To the parents of
Kemet, Axuum, and Dagara, please don’t let your young people miss out on their international travel experiences. These
experiences are truly life changing! Listen to the Voices of
our young people from the Motherland.
Learning So That We May Teach by Najla Ross-Green
Bro. Isa asked a question that caused me to reflect on my last 2
weeks. He said "What do you plan to do differently succeeding our
trip to Africa" I began to ponder; what would I do different when I
return? As I said prior I don't know about being the next Oprah
Winfrey or even Dr.Francine Fulton. For the time being I can only
appreciate and value my educational fortune.
At St. Peter's Junior Secondary and Senior Secondary School,
2,000 Gambian youth are privileged to have a strong education that
will enable them to continue to college or obtain some form of post
secondary education. What about the other thousands of other
Gambian children who are not as prosperous? If I lose sight of my
objective to receive a degree in psychology then profess in law I
will always keep in mind the Akan Proverb "Se wo were fi, na
wosan kofa a anun gwa se eh ni ho" which means if you forget, and
you go fetch it there is no shame in it"
So as I sit here in my room three days until I come back to the
reality of nine hour school days, paved roads unlimited technology
and uncongenial natures, I take in the last remaining drops of Gambian air I remember the High school pledge that "we exist because
others have made it possible for us
and because others have made it
possible for us we can make it possible for others because we learn so
that we can teach and teach so that
we can change the world. " I am now
cognizant that I can not only retain
knowledge but hopefully philosophically deliver my experiences with
my peers.
Right: Sankofa Ambassadors
Najla and Najah with Bro. Isa
and Servant Leader Ambassador Kashan Johnson
Pictured above are Members of the Sankofa Gambian delegation
with the new family members from the staff of the Imani School
Dreaming by Najah Ross-Green
These 2 weeks kind of felt like a dream, it's hard to absorb so much in such short time,
I can honestly say that I feel like The Gambia feels like my first home and America
feels like my second. I'm not sure if it is the smiles of The Gambian people or the
many warm handshakes from young children and adults but being here gives me a sort
of peace that makes it hard for me to want to go back to reality in 4 days. Everyday I
feel like I've experienced something new and everyday I felt like I had become a little
bit more at home.
To me this is like Paradise compared to my "City of Brotherly Love" which at times
can be hard to Love. I realize that at the end of the day I am a tourist in Africa exploring people's livelihoods. The woman vendor who I bargained a bracelet down from
300 dalasies to 100 may have needed the money to feed the infant baby nestled on her
back and her 3 other children at home .The young scholars at Imani School aren't coming to school late with the mind set of "Well at least I'm coming" because regardless of
their age they understand the importance of education in their community.
I know that when I'm complaining about washing the dishes there's a teenage boy
manually making cement blocks for his home and a teenage girl selling cashews to
help provide for her family or pay for education.
My hope is that one day education becomes more valued in my community. I've witnessed children wanting to be, but not able to be all that they can be. And now I know
there's a place where there are children who live right next to a school but don't have
enough money to attend. There's a high school that has motivated, intellect and critically thinking teenagers that aspire to go to college.
On Dec 6 at St. Peters Secondary School we met with a group of Seniors. One boy
stood out to me in particular. As we engaged in conversation he asked questions with a
broadened vocabulary and a lawyer-like demeanor. His attitude surprised, awed and
saddened me all at once. Because I believe he has the potential to be a great lawyer not
only in the Gambia but also in the United States. However, a conversation we had with
a teacher at St. Peters struck me. He said, "We work very hard in Africa and there's so
much work but we are not able to master our
abilities." It's hard for me to fathom how in some places people have dreams and aspirations but are not able to fulfill these dreams and others have the means to obtain a
dream but they don't have the drive or mental stamina to chase it.
Volume 4/Issue 2
Page 7
Full Circle by Antonio DillWord
Now that my service project in
Gambia is coming to a conclusion, I can say that my many
experiences have influenced my
goals in life. The three biggest
impactful experiences in the
Gambia were with the children
in Imani School, the 12th Graders at St. Peters Junior and Senior Secondary Technical School,
and my experience at Goree
Island. Each showed me something I had yet to think about
before.
A Possible Solution by Sadeeq Abdullah
Unfortunately there are only 3 days from the conclusion of my journey in
the beautiful country of Gambia. Although I do miss my family and friends
back in the United States a little I am still somewhat saddened to be ending this journey because I feel as though there is more to learn and take
away from me being here. Being here I have developed once again a craving to explore and understand Gambian culture and language. I wonder
what it is like to live here not as a student on a mission but simply a citizen where no one is eager to sell you things or obligated to be nice because you are a tourist and they want your money.
Being here I have been exposed to a different way of life. The people here
have very little material things. They also don't have very reliable utilities
or stable jobs. On the other hand they do have a strong sense of unity
and security despite these bad economic conditions. While here I have
never had to feel unsafe or like someone would attack me because I had
money. Even when walking the streets at night you don't see drug dealers
or cops on the streets watching everyone with their hand on their
weapon out of fear of the unexpected.
I also noticed how when people have little they value what they have
more and don't seem to take it for granted. Here students jump at the
opportunity to learn and the teachers are more energetic and eager to
teach because the students are easy to deal with. They also have a good
discipline system that students can't manipulate and really make students
not want to break the rules. For example if a student is late to school
they must run laps or pay for being late. Whereas in the United States
you get 6 warnings and a detention.
The last and most
interesting thing I
noticed in Gambia was
how the people are
unified on the basis of
race versus religion.
When I went to
St.Peters, which was a
Catholic school I
walked into a Quran
class where a teacher
was teaching students
Quran. The students
also explained how
they all celebrated
Christmas even those
who were Muslim
participated in the
celebration. Seeing this was very interesting to me because it seemed to
show how close these people are and how much they value each other.
In conclusion, coming to Gambia has showed me how Gambian people
value what they have and how unified they are by color. It made me wonder if it ever will be possible to cultivate such characteristics in an African
American community? If we did succeed at cultivating these characteristics and combine them with the abundance of opportunity provided to us
would African Americans excel more economically, socially, and spiritually? Or would they still be tethered to their past and fail despite it?
The children at Imani School were far from the American stereotype of
underachieving and suffering students. Although these students lacked
materials like pencil and paper, they were able to get a grasp of difficult
ideas like the entire basic multiplication times table as early as the second
grade. Then to add to their potential and success they all had motivation,
drive and perseverance. These qualities are something that most American
students lack including myself. I can be inconsistent and undedicated at
times. These children showed me that there is more to education than what
you learn in the textbook. There are the things that as you grow as a human
being you must develop in order to be successful. You have to develop the
intangible things. You have to be able to be in a place physically and spiritually. Without the presence of both, you are making it difficult to achieve
success.
The students at St. Peters Junior & Senior Secondary School were also
impactful. At first they appeared timid. We soon realized this to be a cover
up, because soon the students were having full out conversations with us
and asking us relevant questions and trying to find out the truth about politics and other things. Soon it came to light they were interested in many
things that we were interested in. Soon, we were able to build connections
and they began, to open up to us. They began to identify some of their own
stereotypes and speculations about us and asked us many questions to see if
it was true. This helped me realize that no matter who you are, somewhere
around the world someone is watching you or your representative and
making a generalization about everyone like you. That alone has influenced
me to always perform at my greatest level and to be honest and open as
many will look at me and question truth and a found lie will cripple their
improved thoughts about my people.
Lastly my experience at Goree Island has had a HUGE impact on me, and
not the way I originally assumed. At Goree Island my thoughts about the
island were completely altered. I had no time to remember my ancestors
and reconnect myself, because I was always interrupted by merchants and
tourist not caring about the island. This experience has taught me three
things. The first being that if I seriously want to build a connection between
my spirit and the spirit of my ancestors then, I can't allow something to get
in the way of that transaction. Secondly, if we are to preserve the history of
our people, we need to do more than preserve its physical presence. We
need to preserve the emotion, thought, and unification of our people as
well. Finally, it taught me that the past can be changed. In the slave dungeon, the emotion behind the building no longer lies there. Not many connect the sadness and painful history of the Island to the Island anymore. It’s
not reality anymore: it’s become more of a twisted fantasy.
These experiences have helped me realize that many things rest on the
shoulders of African Americans and the youth have to realize this before
we crack under pressure. Never before have we needed our youth to come
to a realization of their power and presence in the Africana community, and
we need them to see it now before we lose touch with our ancestors and
eventually our power.
Quaddy and the Children
BUSINESS NAME
Building Intergenerational Communities of Scholarship, Culture, and Activism
Upcoming Events—January and February
Jan. 21
School Closed MLK Birthday; Frankford MLK Breakfast hosted at Sankofa
Jan. 23
Early Dismissal 1:00 pm
Jan. 28
Board of Trustees Meeting, 6:00 pm Trustees Day at Sankofa
Feb. 12
Parent Meeting: Black History Celebration—Family Film Night 6:00 pm
Feb. 13
Early Dismissal 1:00 pm
Sankofa Freedom Academy C.S.
4256 Paul Street
Philadelphia, Pa. 19124
Feb. 15
Professional Development Day
Feb. 18
School Closed President’s Day
Feb. 20
Report Card Conferences 1:30 to 4:30 pm
Phone: 215-288-2001
Fax: 215-288-2099
Feb. 21
Report Card Conferences 4:30 to 7:30 pm
Feb. 25
Board of Trustees Meeting 6:00 pm
Feb. 27
Early Dismissal 1:00 pm
Sankofa Freedom Academy Board of Trustees Meetings 2012—2013
Board Meetings are held every third Monday at 6:00 p.m.
Meeting dates are as follows:
We’re on the web:
Www.sfacs.us
January 28, 2013
February 25, 2013
March 18, 2013
April 15, 2013
May 20, 2013
June 17, 2013
Ashe’ - Spotlight On: Lawrence Guyot (1939-2012)
“We who believe
in freedom
shall not rest
until it comes!”
….Ella Baker
In honor of Dr. King, we always like to feature a Civil Rights icon in the January edition of the Sankofa
Bird. In this edition we pay tribute to a Civil Rights warrior who has recently made transition to the land
of the ancestors….Lawrence Guyot.
Lawrence Guyot was born in Pass Christian, Mississippi in 1939. At the age of 17 he went to Toogooloo University and became involved with the Civil Rights movement as a young freedom fighter. During his college years he served as a field secretary for SNCC (Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee) in Mississippi. As a field secretary in SNCC he was involved in the freedom schools of the 1960’s as
well as the voter registration campaigns to insure that all people had the right to vote. In 1964, he joined
with Fannie Lou Hamer, Ella Baker, and others as a delegate to the Mississippi Freedom Democratic
Party. Even though the MFDP was not seated at the 1964 Democratic Convention, the determination
and persistence of the delegation touched the hearts of many in America and ignited a spark that became
the revolutionary flame which resulted in the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Up until his death, Lawrence
Guyot continued to work as a soldier in the movement. During recent years he turned his attention
toward working to encourage young people to continue to stand for justice and to become engaged in
social change in this country. Lawrence Guyot could
be found at freedom school trainings and other Children Defense Fund events passing the baton to the
next generation of freedom fighters. Let us take
heed to these words written by Baba Guyot just
two months before he died. “I call again upon each
and everyone...to begin again to organize from the
ground up, everyone that you know to bring together the kind of government that we have made
possible. This is the fight to save and redefine the
United States of America. And to those who would
implore you to accept (im)perfection over what is
possible tell them, not yet, not now, maybe never.
God bless each and everyone of you. Let’s get to
work!” Ashe!