Songs For Our Fathers: Fathers Shaping the World

Fathers shape the world. Through their love, labor, lessons and sometimes through their absence, they leave a legacy that lives on in us. Join More Than a Single Story and The Friends of the Saint Paul Library for a series of 2 panels that aim to bridge cultural, racial, and generational divides as single fathers, married fathers, stepfathers, and grandfathers gather to explore the songs and silences passed down by our fathers, and the stories we’re crafting now as we raise, support, and stand beside the next generation.

Co-Moderators: Suleiman Adan and Ben Weaver.

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Panelist Bios:

Imam Makram El-Amin is a respected religious and civic leader whose work for over two decades has centered on human dignity and community uplift. He leads Masjid An-Nur in Minneapolis and Al Maa’uun Community Outreach Services, addressing food insecurity, housing, career support, and mentorship. A student of Imam W. Deen Mohammed, his balanced approach to Islam has led to global interfaith work including meetings with Pope John Paul II, the Dalai Lama, and Bishop Desmond Tutu. He served as advisor to Keith Ellison and was once called the “congressman’s imam” by The New York Times. Imam El-Amin has lectured internationally, served as a police chaplain, and currently chairs the Urban League Twin Cities. He earned his MDiv from Bayan Islamic Graduate School and is pursuing a Doctorate in Leadership there. He is married to Sharon, and together they have three children and three grandsons.

Lars Kommienezuspadt is an internationally recognized photographer, videographer, and illustrator. For over a decade, he has documented times of social crisis. His work has captured pivotal moments such as the killing of Philando Castile and George Floyd in Minneapolis, the Dakota Access Pipeline protests at Standing Rock, and the ongoing Palestine movement during the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

Long Vang is a father of three sons and has worked in the Human Services Field for more than 25 years. He has worked with front-line staff, case managers, mental health practitioner and upper management as well as Executive Director. He is currently with Oyate Hotanin (One People). As one of the co-designers for the Repair Circle Process. Oyate Hotanin is looking for alternatives to incarceration and system reform to improve lives and communities. He also pioneered and developed one of the first aftercare programs for youth and families for the Hmong community in the early 1990’s when families were struggling with adjudicated youth in Minnesota. As a member of the Hmong community, Vang mentors young adults finding their career journey and serves his civic duties to inform and educate families struggling to navigate our currently broken system.

Josh Tecumseh Wabaunsee is a lighting designer/director, and is currently the Lighting Supervisor at Northrop Auditorium at the University of Minnesota.  He is an enrolled member of the Prairie Band of Potawatomi and currently live in Annandale, MN. He is father to three children: One biological, Forest Tecumseh, 18, and two step children, Maddie, 23 and Abhram, 21. Abhram was adopted from Ethiopia.  He and Forests mother divorced when he was 3. She had the majority of parenting time initially, but Forest has been living with Josh full time since he was in 6th grade.

Moderater Bios:

Suleiman Adan is a writer, poet, and writing teacher whose work has been published in the anthology We are Meant to Rise: Voices for Justice from Minneapolis to the World. In addition to his creative pursuits, Suleiman is a dedicated systems builder, community advocate, and DEI trainer with over a decade of experience empowering teams and building capacity through grassroots trainings and organizing efforts. Passionate about youth education, he has operated a free tutoring company focused on increasing literacy and proficiency in BIPOC youth, while also serving on Education and Arts boards. As an experienced project manager and fundraiser, Suleiman has led diverse global initiatives across sectors. A skilled trainer, he has mobilized volunteers in 8 countries for social justice causes and facilitates critical dialogues on diversity, equity and inclusion. Suleiman currently serves as the Deputy Executive Director at CAIR MN, the nations largest civil rights organization.

Ben Weaver is a father, caregiver, songwriter, poet and hide tanner, who travels by bicycle. He uses music and poetry to strengthen relationships and culture between human and non-human entities. He has released nine studio albums of music and five books of poetry. Given the choice he will side with the animals, lakes, rivers and trees. Relationship is the repair.