Living Legends Among Us
Honoring Our Gems and Pearls of the Community
Every community has stories. Every generation has wisdom. And every elder has a legacy worth knowing.
Living Legends Among Us is an intergenerational community arts and education program created to honor the elders who have helped shape, serve, and strengthen their communities.
Through personal interviews and storytelling, K La Rue connects with community members 65 and older, inviting them to share their experiences, memories, accomplishments, traditions, challenges, and pearls of wisdom. These elders become our Living Legends and Wisdom Keepers—people whose lives and contributions deserve to be seen, heard, celebrated, and remembered.
The program culminates in a community celebration where family, friends, neighbors, young people, and community members come together to honor these Living Legends and celebrate the richness of their lives.
From Living Legends to Building Ancestors
Living Legends Among Us extends into the classroom through our “Building the Ancestor” program.
Students work with their teachers to:
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Research a family or community ancestor and uncover their story.
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Write and compose narratives, biographies, reflections, poems, or other forms of storytelling.
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Create artwork inspired by the person, their life, culture, accomplishments, and legacy.
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Learn from Wisdom Keepers—elders honored through Living Legends Among Us who can help students understand the value of history, memory, experience, and community.
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Share their work with their families and the larger community through an exhibition or celebration.
Teachers become partners in the process, supporting students with writing, research, and curriculum
connections, while art educators help students transform their discoveries into meaningful visual and artistic expressions. Read more about our Building the Ancestor program on our Educational Program Page.
When young people learn where they come from, they begin to see themselves as part of a larger story. Living Legends Among Us creates the opportunity for elders to pass their wisdom forward. while Building the Ancestor gives young people the opportunity to carry those stories into the future.Together, these programs create a living bridge between generations—honoring the past, celebrating the present, and inspiring the future.
Our Belief
We believe that our communities are filled with gems and pearls of wisdom that should never be lost.
We believe our elders are living libraries.
We believe our young people are not only learners—they are storytellers, artists, historians, and future Wisdom Keepers.
And we believe that when generations come together, learning becomes an adventure, history becomes personal, and community becomes family.
Bring the Living Legends & Building Ancestors program to your school or community center.