Feature Spotlight: Larry Gallion

Each day this week we will be spotlighting one of the first six "Lawndale: A Living History" featured elders and mentors on the blog. Today's spotlight: Larry Gallion, whose photo can be found on the garden side of the Lawndale Pop-Up Spot, right in the middle. Please visit his profile page on the Living History virtual exhibit for much more on Larry!

Larry Gallion, summer 2020. (c) Jay Simon

Larry Calhoun has worked at UCAN as a Youth Development Coach since 2019, and before that worked for 22 years at Franklin Park as a physical instructor.

Larry is the only one of our first six features who isn't an "elder" by most senses of the term, and the reason we use the terms "feature" or "elders and mentors". He was referred to us by James Fields, who served as our team's videographer, as someone who mentored him at Franklin Park (also in K-Town). Larry told us after the photo and interview process that this was the first time anyone has asked him to share his story. We're so glad to be able to do so.

Here's Larry being interviewed by Jonathan Kelley prior to his Living History photo shoot in Unity Park in the K-Town area of North Lawndale. He talks about his family, his faith, his work with young people in the neighborhood, and how he has dealt with loss. Video recorded by Jay Simon.

Here was Larry at Unity Park during his photo shoot with Jay.

Larry Gallion and Jay Simon, summer 2020. (c) Jonathan Kelley

Thanks so much to Larry for sharing his history and perspectives!