At 2pm tomorrow (Friday, November 30th), there will be a special dedication ceremony called Sankofa Passage that honors thirty-two distinguished recipients whose lifelong contributions have profoundly enriched the cultural landscape of Los Angeles and have garnered critical acclaim throughout the world.
Sankofa is an Afrikan principle from the Akan people of Ghana. It symbolizes respect and homage to the indomitable spirit of ancestors who endured anguish and adversity but flourished against insurmountable odds.
Each recipient will be presented with a pyramid bearing their name, artistic discipline and birthplace, all embedded on commemorative bronze plaques designed by artist John Outterbridge. The plaques depict the mythical Sankofa bird [pictured above] with its head turned back, referencing the past. Branding symbols used during slavery have been placed along the perimeter to denote the atrocities of the Middle Passage.
THE HONOREES:
Ernie Andrews, singer
Melvonna Ballenger, theatrical production
Samuel Browne, musician/teacher
Clora Bryant, musician
Maria Bryant, dancer/singer
Buddy Collette, musician
Willie Covan, dance/theatre
Kamau Daaóod, poet
Alonzo Davis, artist
Eric Dolphy, musician
Cecil Ferguson, arts patron/scholar
Richard Fulton, entrepreneur
Marla Gibbs, actor
Dexter Gordon, musician
Hampton Hawes, musician
Billy Higgins, musician
Alma Hightower, music teacher
Harold Land, Sr., musician
Jeni Legon, dancer
Juno Lewis, musician
Melba Liston, musician
Charles Mingus, musician
John Outterbridge, artist
Roy Porter, musician
Elvira Redd, musician
Beah Richards, actor
John Riddle, artist
Horace Tapscott, musician
Charles White, artist
Frances Williams, actor
Paul Williams, architect
Gerald Wilson, musician
The event will be held in the Community Build Park at 4305 Degnan Blvd. in Leimert Park. The ceremony is free and open to the public. For more information or to RSVP, call Clint Rosemond at (323) 290-6565.
