Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XXX, Public Diplomacy

16. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassies in Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia, Kenya, Cameroon, and France¹

Washington, March 5, 1977, 0216Z

49454. Paris for ARS. Subject: American Specialist Program: Dr. Loretta Long.

1. Dept. delighted to announce availability for post programming of Dr. Loretta Long, better known as Susan, one of the human hosts, on “Sesame Street”.² Dr. Long, an Afro-American, is a singer, actress, TV personality, teacher and educator and an effective communicator with her audiences.

2. Dr. Long was born in Michigan. B.A. Western Michigan U., M.A. City College of New York, EdD U. of Mass. She has taught in New York City public schools and given numerous lectures, workshops, panels, etc., relating to the media and education. She has appeared on musical plays and revues in the U.S. and Australia and in numerous movies and TV shows in the U.S.

3. Dr. Long can speak on: “the media and the classroom teacher”, “cultural clash: racial sensitivity training”, “values in education”, the impact of the media on young minds” and related topics. She wishes to hold discussions with media professionals and trainees, educators and student teachers, Min. Ed. officials and TV and radio programmers. She will gladly give interviews, but is not interested in performing, except to recreate a “Sesame Street” segment with local “characters” for Nigeria TV where she understands the show has appeared. She will bring “Sesame Street” segments to illustrate talks. Advise whether “Sesame Street” familiar to local audiences.

4. Dr. Long available June–early August for 4–6 weeks. Please express soonest interest time frame and programming plans.

5. Interested post should advise dates schools and universities close for summer and re-open in fall.

Christopher

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D770077–0226. Unclassified. Drafted by Wilkinson; cleared by Smith; approved by Dalsimer. On March 17, the Department repeated telegram 49454 to Kinshasa. (Ibid.)
2. Reference is to the children’s educational television program produced by the Children’s Television Workshop (CTW), which debuted on the National Educational Television (NET) network (later PBS) in November 1969.