Frequently Asked Questions
About Our Company
What does C.O.-O.P. in your company name stand for?
C.O.-O.P. is an acronym for Caring, Optimistic, Open-minded People.
When was The Culture C.O-O.P established?
The Culture C.O-O.P was founded in 1991. The organization has been conducting valuable work across the nation for 30+ years.
What types of organizations have you worked with?
We work with educators and educational institutions, non-profits, businesses, community organizations, and social service agencies from all over the country. We provide services for children as well as adults. We have worked with and/or have participated in conferences held by a wide variety of organizations.
Where is your organization based?
We operate out of Davis, California, but collaborate with like-minded individuals worldwide. Our team is primarily based in the greater Sacramento area, but we host interns from a variety of states and countries. We do both remote and in person events, typically in the Yolo County region and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Why is your initiative, Paradigm for Transformation, so important?
Research shows that we must approach injustice systemically if we want to make a powerful change. Band-aid approaches have not improved the state of our communities. The paradigm lays the foundation for comprehensive understanding, forward-thinking, and impactful interventions.
Do you require payment up front?
Yes, unless you have an established long-term relationship with us as an existing customer. We take Visa, MasterCard and money orders. Call us for Visa/Mastercard or mail your money order to The Culture C.O.-O.P., P.O. Box 463, Davis, CA. 95616. If you have questions, call (530 792-1334) or email orders@cultureco-op.com
What age group is appropriate for “Grandpa, Is Everything Black Bad?”
The author has used the book in classrooms from kindergarten through college. When she reads the book to younger readers (pre-kindergarten to 2nd grade), she often reads the first half word-for-word and then paraphrases key parts of the second half. This book has also been used in college courses addressing systemic inequalities.
I am a teacher. How can I integrate lessons from “Grandpa, Is Everything Black Bad?” into my curriculum?
Consider these interactive activities:
Invite a senior citizen to speak to your class and share some of their history and life experiences
Have students draw a picture that illustrates their favorite part of the story
Have your students make drums out of old coffee cans. They can decorate them with African prints, pictures of Africa from magazines, etc.
Play a tape of a drum (or play a drum yourself) while reading the drum sequence of the story
Show children a video or documentary about African culture and history
Play music from around the world during class time
Have students read the story and create a skit based on the reading
Who is the Grandfather modeled after?
The grandfather in the story is modeled after the author’s own grandfather.
What is the origin of the name, “Montsho”?
“Montsho” is Swahili for “black.”
Do you have other titles?
Yes. We have additional titles available, like “We All Have a Heritage” and “Honor Your Elders”, as well as many upcoming publications. These books are educational and bibliotherapy for the soul.