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| The achievements of Dan Desdunes, Boys Town's first bandleader in 1920, are still recognized. Desdunes will be featured by the Louisiana Creole Research Association for his musical contributions. |
Long before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. began the civil rights movement African-Americans, including many at Boys Town, were examples of what Dr. King meant in his "I Have a Dream" speech.
Men like Dan Desdunes, a prominent African-American bandleader, provided inspiration as one of many people to come forward and help Father Flanagan change the way all children were treated in America.
Desdunes, who led the first Boys Town Band in 1920, will be featured by the Louisiana Creole Research Association for his musical contributions. The association will highlight Desdunes as a historical figure from New Orleans' Faubourg Tremé, one of America's oldest black neighborhoods.
"We are very proud to have had a member of our Creole culture aide the venerable Father Flanagan in his mission," said Jari Honora of the Louisiana Creole Research Association.
Under Desdunes' leadership, the boys formed the World's Greatest Juvenile Entertainers in 1920. The official bandleader for the City of Omaha, Desdunes taught the boys to work hard and contribute in a positive way to their community.
Desdunes and many other staff and alumni became a successful part of Boys Town's history. Click here to view a slideshow documenting the achievements of African Americans throughout Boys Town history.
Among those highlighted is Vernon Baker, who received the Medal of Honor from President Clinton for his heroic efforts fighting in Italy during World War II. Tony Jones, who graduated Boys Town in 1988, is a Family-Teacher with his wife Simone for more than 10 years now. In 1996, Ritha Moro became the first black female Mayor of the Village of Boys Town.
Desdunes was one of the first to embody Father Flanagan's philosophy that the color of a child's skin didn't matter - all children in need were equal. A philosophy that leads Boys Town in its commitment to changing the way America cares for her children and families.
