Finding Howard: The Legacy of a Song is a film about empathy, forgiveness, and hope.

Lee Domann, a Nashville songwriter, felt years of regret over a bullying incident that took place against Howard Ray, one of his classmates in 7th grade. Being an insecure and lonely boy himself, Lee didn’t defend Howard for fear of being outcast by his peers. The memory of what happened that day inspired Lee to write a song about the way Howard was treated.

David Levine, educator and director of Finding Howard: The Legacy of a Song, heard the song and began to perform it as part of his social and emotional learning curriculum with students and adults across the United States. Over the past 30 years, the song has sparked conversations about empathy and left a legacy on countless people and a catalyst for educators and community members to create more compassionate life experiences for children.

Through inspiring conversations with educators, community leaders, activists, and scholars, as well as deeply touching letters written by children across the United States and Canada, Finding Howard: The Legacy of a Song tells the story of how a song and the work in schools created by an inspired educator can be a model for creating communities of belonging and safety for all.

ACTION OPPORTUNITY: This film contains action items. Learn how to make an impact here.