The Ellington Family and Duke Ellington School of the Arts (DESA) Congratulate Our Friend, Music Icon - Stevie Wonder - for his 2024 Honorary Doctorate’s Degree from Johns Hopkins University!
L: April Ellington, Sandi Logan, and Edward Duke Ellington Jr at Jazz City on 4/26/24; R: Dr. Stevie Wonder at Johns Hopkins.
[Washington, DC], [June 10, 2024] - While we are all preparing for DESA’s upcoming 2024 Graduation Commencement Ceremony, which will be taking place on Saturday, June 15th, 2024; April Ellington & Edward Ellington Jr. along with Sandi Logan, Principal at Duke Ellington School of The Arts (DESA) would like to take a moment and celebrate The Ellington’s Family Friend & Longtime DESA Supporter -Music Icon, Stevie Wonder for receiving an Honorary Doctorate's Degree from Johns Hopkins University...”Congratulations, Dr. Stevie Wonder! We Love You Madly!"
Members of the Ellington Family have been continuing to honor and celebrate “The 125th Birthday of Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington” and they will be returning to Washington, D.C. this week to now celebrate DESA’s Graduating Class of 2024. April Ellington and Edward Ellington Jr. will also be kickstarting plenary meetings in support of the fundraising efforts for the upcoming 50th Anniversary Celebrations of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts by increasing cultural awareness of the prestigious honor that DESA deserves for 50 years of providing excellence in arts and academic education. The Ellingtons’ supportive presence helps to enhance and strengthen DESA’s prominence both locally within the DMV area and nationally by continuing to raise awareness that serves as a testament to DESA’s ongoing dedication and commitment to arts education provided by Duke Ellington School of the Arts.
"We are always thrilled to welcome The Ellington Family to our school, especially as we embark on the exciting journey towards DESA’s 50th Anniversary”, said Sandi Logan, Principal and Head of School at Duke Ellington School of the Arts. "Their presence means the world to us, and their family's legacy continues to thrive within our school community."
The upcoming DESA 50th Anniversary Celebrations will include a series of amazing community events that will be remarkable and extraordinary. DESA 50th Anniversary events will occur all throughout the 2024-2025 Academic Year to celebrate the rich legacy and scholastic achievements of Duke Ellington School of the Arts over the past five (5) decades. The Ellington Family's presence always adds an extra layer of significance to DESA’s events by continuing to highlight the enduring impact of Duke Ellington's legacy in arts education.