Change and Tradition
Mama Fela Barclift
Founder and Executive Director
Celebrating Change and Tradition
On June 10th we celebrated 1 year in our new Clinton Hill location. What started as a small in-home family day care program has blossomed into a unique community childcare center that continues to nurture young minds. We’re grateful for the remarkable journey of Little Sun People and the profound impact it has had on the lives of children and our Brooklyn community.
I realized early on that there was a need for a center that would empower children, celebrate their African heritage, and provide them with the tools to shape their own destinies. Today, Little Sun People continues to be a beacon of hope, offering a nurturing and empowering space where children can explore, learn, and grow. As we reflect on the journey so far, we look forward to continuing our mission of shaping young minds and inspiring the leaders of tomorrow.
Little Sun People (LSP) is a one-of-a-kind community-based early childhood learning institution founded in the predominantly Black Brooklyn community known as Bedford-Stuyvesant (do or die Bed-Stuy). LSP defined itself as a Bed-Stuy organization and represented the neighborhood proudly for 42 of its almost 43 years. For the first 5 years it operated out of its founders Bed-Stuy brownstone, then for almost 37 years held residence within the small business development project known as Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Center. Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Center serves as a transportation hub, a small business hub, a political center, and most of all a gathering place where Bed-Stuy community members come to celebrate our victories, mourn our losses, get the news of the day, and unify around community vision and goals. It was the perfect location for a public-facing organization like LSP.
Over time things change, and just as the neighborhood has changed our physical facility also began to change and was falling into disrepair. It became clear that it was time to move but we were struggling to find a new, affordable, suitable site within the Bedford Stuyvesant community. One day during the pandemic, we were informed that a wealthy day school that had transformed an aging warehouse building into a state-of -the art school had decided to leave their newly renovated Brooklyn location and relocate to Manhattan, leaving the Brooklyn site up for grabs. Though the site was in Clinton Hill and not Bed-Stuy, we jumped at the opportunity. The location was great, in excellent shape, met all NYC codes, and offered LSP the chance to double our size and potentially add a long dreamed of school expansion to K-5. Our investment was reasonable enough to retrofit the former high school to meet the needs of our Pre-K (2–5 year-old) students. We could not have been more excited!
We called on the expertise and experience of former alumni parent Carlton Brown, CEO of architectural firm, Full Spectrum of NY, to lend his knowledge and guidance as we began the project. We called on Ava Barnett of AIB Interior Architects to draw up our plans, then Michael Cuautie of Mike’s Home Solutions our contractor, and then Achuziam Maha-Sanchez of Peace and Riot to bring it all together. It was an effort as we say in the Nguzo Saba, The Seven Principles of Blackness where we were in Umoja (unity), we were in Ujima (collective work and responsibility), and we used our Kujichagulia (self-determination) to decide and take action.
From our humble beginnings in a Bed-Stuy brownstone to our long-standing presence at Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Center, Little Sun People has consistently represented the neighborhood and fostered a sense of unity among its community members. Now in Clinton Hill we keep that same energy as we continue to provide a nurturing environment for young learners, and realize the dream of helping more students celebrate their identities and develop a strong foundation for their academic, social, and emotional growth.
A Message from The Board
Dear LSP Family & Friends -
On behalf of the Board, I thank you for your continued support for Little Sun People. These are unprecedented times filled with things that many never imagined our children, grandchildren, godchildren would have to face. In the midst of banning of books that reflect and explore Black History and removal of Black and Brown histories from school curricula at all levels. We are still Little Sun People! Now more than ever, LSP's work of undoing and combating racism via culturally-responsive education is critical for children of the African Diaspora who are growing up (and will one day be leaders) in a multiracial democracy.
This work obviously could not be done without a fearless leader guiding a competent and faithful staff as well as committed parents. LSP's work also would not be sustainable without a dedicated board of volunteers who choose to take on the task of helping the school both thrive in and beyond the present.
I'd like to take this moment to offer up the deepest gratitude and praise to four board members who served faithfully for many (many) years and moved on from the board this year: Esmeralda Simmons, MaryAnn Edghill, Kara Benton-Smith, and Nia Hooper-Mason. These four women were, among other things, a part of the board that helped LSP remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic and move into a beautiful new location with space (and plans) for expansion. Working alongside them was inspiring to me on many levels and we honor them and thank them for being forever ambassadors for LSP!
As the work of the Board continues, we are delighted to welcome new board members: Hillary Crosley Coker, Diane Lucas, Grace Nam, and Odiya Oyo. Their talents and commitment will help continue LSP's path into the future... and the future is BRIGHT!
Harambee,
Kristen A. Johnson, Chair, LSP Board of Directors
African Liberation Day School Talent Show
Our talent show is an opportunity for all of the Little Sun People to perform for their parents and the community.
Little LSP stars show off their skill at: African Dance and Drumming, Violin, Martial Arts, Chess, Swahili, and of course our special fashion show where all our children get to strut their stuff on the runway! The annual event celebrates our African heritage and promotes pride in our identity.
Little Sun People's Cultural Explorers Summer Camp is a gateway to an extraordinary journey of cultural exploration and self-discovery. Through engaging activities, hands-on experiences, and joyful play, our students will expand their knowledge, celebrate African heritage, and develop lifelong skills.
Our Cultural Explorers Summer Camp goes beyond traditional education, creating hands-on experiences that foster a deep understanding and appreciation of different cultures. Through interactive and immersive activities, our students will gain a sense of connection and pride in their African heritage, while also developing valuable skills such as teamwork, critical thinking, and creativity.
We invite our Little Sun People students, both past and present, as well as future students, to embark on this exciting adventure with us. The Cultural Explorers Summer Camp promises an unforgettable experience where children will broaden their horizons, deepen their cultural awareness, and create lifelong memories.
Join us from July 5th to August 11th for a summer filled with excitement, adventure, and the chance to become true cultural explorers. Let's play, explore, learn, and travel together!
Your donation to Little Sun People supports our ability to provide high-quality, culturally responsive education to our children. Your support makes a difference in the lives of young learners, who are our community's future leaders.