Sandy Holman
Sandy Holman has presented to thousands of youth, adults, organizations, and institutions on a variety of topics such as transforming systems, inequitable structures, dismantling racism/supremacy ideology and practices, the achievement gap, P-16 education, literacy, resiliency, addressing the whole child, and institutional best practices for change. She has placed special attention on the importance of culturally relevant and responsive services and materials, as well as on increasing cultural competency in educational and service-oriented settings for over 35 years. Her priority is facilitating systemic change and approaching historic isms, oppression, supremacy ideology, injustice and inequity from a systemic and holistic perspective.
A few organizations she has worked with include the following: National Center For Learning Disabilities - Understood.org - the Center for The Whole Child - National Head Start Conference and regional affiliates - the United States Navy CYP conference with early childhood educators form around the world - United Way - the California Association for the Education of Young Children - the Center for Community and Family Services - the Women’s Health Leadership Project - Friday Night Live Youth programs - the Yolo Court Appointed Special Advocates - various state Reading Associations - school districts all over the country - countless national community organizations - early childhood programs - as well as social service and reading organizations. She spends at least half of her time working directly with youth of all ages, around a variety of topics and issues, and has a special commitment towards youth tracked as high risk for dropping out of school, and institutions which serve them.
Sandy received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Davis and her M.S. in School Counseling with a focus on Education from California State University, Sacramento. She has served on the Board of Directors of local and national agencies serving youth and adults, including the Youth Services Task Force, the National Dropout prevention network, Center for Regional Development, the International House, Progress Ranch group homes for emotionally disturbed children, and Yolo Unite, an organization serving youth and the community. She was recognized by Governor Wilson’s office with a Golden Rule award in the state of California for her implementation of a model parent involvement program at a marginalized school.
In addition, Sandy has also received several awards and acknowledgments for her work, presentations, and books. A few of these include: Citizen of the Year Award - a Lifetime Achievement Award from the City Of Davis - the Ida B. Wells Risk Taker Award from the California Association of African American Administrators and Superintendents - the Ubuntu Equity Award from U.C Davis, Acknowledgment from the Office of Public Engagement - the Calvin Handy leadership award - Center for Regional Change Recognition - a National Head Start Association Award of Appreciation - a Congressional recognition for her efforts in Community Education and Awareness named the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Award - the Thong Hy Huynh Education and Community Award - the Concilio Community Award - and a Woman of the Year Award at Congressman John Garamendi’s 3rd District Women's Meeting. Additionally, Sandy was inducted into the Youth on the Move International Educators Hall of Fame in 2016. She has received literature awards from Skipping Stones and Writer’s Digest for her children’s books. Sandy was also honored along with Al Gore, Quincy Jones, and other notable authors for her work in multi-cultural children’s literature at Book Expo in New York and received the Blackboard Children’s Book of the Year Award for her title “Grandpa, Is Everything Black Bad?” Sandy currently serves on Congressman John Garamendi’s Women’s Initiative Network and many other advisory groups.
Sandy’s innovation in approaching a broad array of difficult issues has had a tremendous impact on those she has worked with. She practices what she calls “active research,” where theory is matched with application. She continues to work directly with many challenged youth and with those working with them to demonstrate it is never too late to make a difference.
Sandy also advocates and assists institutions in addressing racial inequity and racism. She is known for her ability to facilitate people from different backgrounds, making them feel comfortable sharing their fears and concerns, while reaching out to and working with diverse populations. She is truly inspirational and committed in all her endeavors. She currently continues to work on systemic change so that all can thrive, writing quality multi-cultural literature, providing training for youth and adults, and promoting literacy around the country.
Sandy’s Books
Her books “We All Have a Heritage,” “Grandma Says Our Hair Has Flair,” and “Grandpa, Is Everything Black Bad?” are expanding the way people view literature for children and are being used in schools and communities throughout the country and the world, including training programs targeting educators. Booklist said in a review of one of her books that “Children will appreciate both the candor and the comfort.” School Library Journal said of the same book that “The message is worthwhile and important… especially in classrooms promoting equity.” Sandy has four other children’s books scheduled for release in the next couple of years. These titles include Love is the Root of All People, The Elders Speak, Peace is for People, and The Ultimate Hat. Look for her book pack, “Books for a Just, Peaceful, and Loving World,” to be released in the future. She refers to her books as bibliotherapy for the soul.
Take a stand and use your gifts to make a difference. The Culture C.O.-O.P. produces music in partnership with artists to encourage respect for diversity, inclusion, equity, and love. Our musical CDs are currently in production, feel free to inquire about their availability. The song We Shall Overcome is already completed, click on the link to the right to enjoy it. We encourage you to not let frustration incapacitate you. Though we are in extremely troubling times, we can learn from our history/research, Elders, Ancestors, and change-makers from the past so that we can make a strategic difference. We must face the "Zoo" in the room and realize that the "frog" has been boiling for many cultural groups for a very long time. We must summon the courage to address historic, systemic, oppression, white supremacy ideology, hate, inequity, and inhumane practices which hurt humanity, once and for all. We all have a little bit of Martin Luther King’s spirit in us and we must choose to do our part to impact a hurting world.
Peace and Love,
-Sandy Lynne Holman
We Shall Overcome Song
Video by Akira Olivia Kumamoto for Sacramento Bee
Sandy’s Gumbo Party
Sandy held her annual gumbo party at her house for a diverse group of community members. The gumbo she cooks is a family recipe. She continues to cook this dish in honor of her family, friends, and African Ancestors. She believes gumbo is a metaphor for us coming together regardless of our cultural backgrounds and sharing power and resources. In this video from the Sacramento Bee YouTube channel, She explains the importance of this dish and the history behind it in honor of her mother, Arline Holman, whose recipe she uses.