The St. Paul Companies Recognize Accomplishments of Six Community Leaders

October 4, 2002

The St. Paul Companies announced that 6 community leaders have received a total of $193,900 in grants for their work in the company sponsored “Leadership Initiatives in Neighborhoods” (LIN) program.

They were honored yesterday at the 16th annual LIN luncheon at The St. Paul’s corporate headquarters in Saint Paul.

“The LIN program is designed to develop the leadership potential of community artists and activists by funding a yearlong plan of self-directed work, reflection and dialogue for each recipient. Each leadership plan involves intensive learning through research, reading and work with mentors. These experiences help recipients hone their leadership skills and make a difference in their communities,” said the bulletin.

It described the 6 honorees as follows:
-Tom Borrup, executive director of Intermedia Arts, will study urban planning and community development projects to build his capacity to create bridges between urban planners, community developers, and arts and cultural communities.
-Loeng Bun, one of only two masters of traditional Cambodian music alive today in the United States, will develop the resources necessary to teach traditional Cambodian music and instruments to Cambodian youth and provide leadership as a master teacher in the local Cambodian community.
-Robert DesJarlait, an Ojibwe-Anishinaabe professional author and journalist, will research traditional American Indian social structures, child welfare systems and kinship practices, and how these systems and practices impact the American Indian community today.
-Larry Long, a professional artist and storyteller, will work with local artists, grassroots activists, community organizations, and mentors such as Studs Terkel, Pete Seeger and Harold Leventhal to develop new ways of teaching and building bridges between diverse communities.
-Wendy Morris, professional dancer, author and teacher, will work with mentors and community leaders to build her leadership capacity in the emerging field of community cultural development and craft a long-term strategic plan for community development initiatives.
-Steven Wash, leader and activist within the Twin Cities’ African-American community, will study best practices of urban and community development organizations in order to design and implement new community redevelopment programs in the Twin Cities area.

Topics Leadership

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