Kids celebrate multicultural learning during Learn My History Foundation graduation

By Ian Swaby
| 4:45 p.m. August 26, 2024

Kwaku Addae, 7 and Joy Prophete, 8, prepare for graduation.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ronnique Hawkins brought her nonprofit “Learn My History” to Sarasota in 2019 from New York, to continue offering young people more opportunities to be successful and happy than she had growing up.

During the inaugural "Passing the Torch of Excellence" event on Aug. 25, members of its Youth Advisory Board had the chance to celebrate that mission as they donned gradation caps and gowns at Sarasota Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The event marked the expansion of the nonprofit's offerings to full one-year programs. Hawkins told audiences that it is the kids who have kept her going with the efforts involved in running the organization, even throughout her journey with breast cancer.

Programs include Create with Ro, which sees students creating cultural history projects including a book and cultural cuisine; LMH Youth Zone, which teaches youth how to produce their own films, and LMH Children’s Network, which offers professional mentorship.

The event drew representatives of organizations including the Lakewood Ranch Rotary Club, Toastmasters and BNI Business by the Bay.

Hawkins said the event was the first time the community was invited to witness what was going on in the organization, and comes at a time when it is in need of funding as well as more enrollment.

“When you look around this room, it just warms your heart,” said Judith Levine of the Johnson Singer Arts & Education Fund, emphasizing the importance of children being able “to learn about each other, to learn tolerance.”

Ziarymar Cerdenio-Santiago, 16 and Samira Addae, 11, offer a musical performance before the graduation.

Nya Chambless, 14, the event host and a young actress and filmmaker, speaks on the positive impacts of Learn My History Foundation.

Students including Carla Demosthenos, 11 were serenaded with a song by Ronnique Hawkins as the ceremony began.

Grace Prophete, who at age 14, serves as Hawkins' manager, takes to the podium. "She holds me to account for everything," Hawkins said.

Andy Salgado offers awards to Cairo Pough, 5 and Josiah Pough, 8.

Zenmar Cerdenio-Santiago, 13, and Kofi Addae, 13 offer a performance before the graduation.

Aime Merda, 13, offers Ronnique Hawkins a hug.

Adonai Nelson, 14, Joy Prophete, 8, Sierra Morrison, 11, Grace Prophete, 14 and Nya Chambless, 14.

Lindsey Frost, Rabbi Stephen Sniderman and Christina Florand listen to a speech preceding the graduation.

Stephenie Frasher, Judith Levine, Andy Salgado, Ronnique Hawkins and 2024 Florida Women’s Hall of Fame inductee Graci McGillicuddy of All Star Children’s Foundation

This story has been updated to include the correct names for Carla Demosthenos and Zenmar Cerdenio-Santiago.

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.