ABC7 Celebrates Black History Month 2016

In honor of Black History Month, ABC7 celebrates the amazing achievements in black culture and history here in the Bay Area.

FEBRUARY 29, WAYNE SUTTON

Diversity in tech is a critical concern, especially here in Silicon Valley and across the Bay Area. Thanks to Wayne Sutton (@waynesutton), innovative solutions to this issue are on the horizon. Wayne founded Tech Inclusion, which is dedicated to exploring the topics of diversity and inclusion in tech through the Tech Inclusion Conference (pictured here), consulting and workshops. As a leading voice in diversity and inclusion in tech, Wayne's life goal is to educate entrepreneurs who are passionate about using technology to change the world. Wayne also describes himself as a serial entrepreneur and regularly mentors and advises early stage startups. Photo courtesy of Wayne Sutton. #ABC7Celebrates #BlackHistoryMonth #WayneSutton #TechInclusion #SiliconValley #DiversityinTech #Entrepreneur #changemaker

FEBRUARY 27, 366TH INFANTRY IN WORLD WARS

The 366th Infantry Regiment was a segregated all-African American unit of the United States Army that served with distinction in both World War I and World War II. Pictured here are officers from the 366th Regiment in WWI on their journey home via the RMS Aquitania in 1919. Left to right are Lieutenant C.L. Abbot of South Dakota, Northern California's own Captain Joseph L. Lowe of Pacific Grove, Lieutenant A.R. Fisher of Indiana, winner of the Distinguished Service Cross, and Captain E. White of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Their heroism and bravery inspire us to this day! #ABC7Celebrates #BlackHistoryMonth #366thInfantry #Army #Infantry #WorldWarI #PacificGrove #Aquitania #heroes #servicemen

FEBRUARY 26, WARREN MILLER (NATIONAL ENGINEERS WEEK)

We are celebrating National Engineers Week by saluting Warren F. Miller, an American nuclear engineer. The Santa Clara resident notably served as the Assistant Secretary of Energy for Nuclear Energy under President Barack Obama. Since stepping down from the esteemed position in 2010, Miller has continued to focus on nuclear energy policy. A man of many trades, Warren also received a Bronze Star in recognition of his distinguished military service and received the Golden Torch Award for Distinguished Engineers by the National Society of Black Engineers! #ABC7Celebrates #BlackHistoryMonth #WarrenMiller #NationalEngineerWeek #Engineer #STEM #nuclear #SantaClara #bronzestar

FEBRUARY 25, BEN MCBRIDE

Longtime youth and justice advocate, Pastor Ben McBride (@BenJMcBride) has dedicated his life to bringing understanding and communication to the dialogues between police officers and Oakland community. He shared this powerful image with us and described: "I was at an Oakland protest and standing between the police and young people, as I aim to lift up voices of pain and engage with the necessary reform work that could hopefully lead to a destination of justice and hope." Photo courtesy of Erin Baldassari. #ABC7Celebrates #BlackHistoryMonth #WhereYouLive #BenMcBride #Oakland #OPD #peace #justice

FEBRUARY 24, MAHADER TESFAI

Eritrean-born and Oakland-raised, visual artist Mahader Tesfai creates paintings and illustrations that express the complexity of African identities and communities. Mahader's art is intricate and laced with layers of culture. He incorporates the black culture he experiences in Oakland and mixes it with his East African roots, while also invoking solidarity by embedding Black Lives Matter slogans in some pieces. But perhaps the best description is in his own words, "We are beautifully nuanced, colorful, multi-dimensional, overlapping, interconnected, and our history is rooted in love and struggle." #ABC7Celebrates #BlackHistoryMonth #WhereYouLive #MahaderTesfai #Africa #EastAfricanArt #Art #Oakland #Eritrea

FEBRUARY 23, LEROY MOORE

Leroy F. Moore Jr. is an accomplished writer, poet, hip-hop lover and community activist with a disability. From producing a documentary, being founder of several disability groups and organizations, Leroy has spent nearly thirteen years spreading awareness and promotion of the disabled community. Leroy's most recent project is Krip-Hop Nation. Krip-Hop Nation's mission is to educate the world about the talents, history, and marketability of Hip-Hop artists and other musicians with disabilities. It features Hip-Hop artists with disabilities and other disabled musicians from around the world, and even produced a Krip-Hop Mixtape Series! Photo courtesy of Leroy Moore. #ABC7Celebrates #BlackHistoryMonth #KripHopNation #disability #LeroyMoore #support #community #music #hiphop

FEBRUARY 22, PETER CASSEY

Back in 1861, Peter Cassey founded the first secondary school for African Americans down in San Jose. It was known as both the Phoenixian Institute and as St. Philipp's Mission School and was groundbreaking at a time when no other California high school, public or private, was open to African American students. Students were also charged tuition and board which ranged from $16 to $20 a month! #WhereYouLive #ABC7Celebrates #BlackHistoryMonth #PeterCassey #AfricanAmericanEducation #SanJose #groundbreaking #CaliforniaHistory

FEBRUARY 19, HAROLD "SLIM" JENKINS

Harold "Slim" Jenkins was a famed nightclub owner in West Oakland from the 1930's through the 1960's. His world-renowned Slim Jenkins Caf hosted performers like Nat King Cole, Aretha Franklin, and B.B. King, and famous guests, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt! Always a savvy businessman, Slim opened the caf on December 5, 1933 - the exact day that Prohibition was repealed with the passage of the 21st Amendment. #WhereYouLive #ABC7Celebrates #BlackHistoryMonth #slimjenkins #jazz #oakland #westoakland #arethafranklin #natkingcole #bbking #FDR

FEBRUARY 18, MUSEUM OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA

Tucked in downtown San Francisco, the Museum of the African Diaspora (@moad_sf) showcases the history, art, and cultural richness that resulted from the migration of Africans throughout the world. California-based artist Alison Saar's current exhibit - titled "Bearing" - provokes fascinating conversations about the burdens endured by African Americans both past and present. This and other exhibits are on view until April 3rd. Don't miss them! Photo courtesy of LA Louver, Venice, CA. #WhereYouLive #ABC7Celebrates #BlackHistoryMonth #Moadsf #AfricanDiaspora #SanFrancisco #AlisonSaar #africanamerican

FEBRUARY 17, THE OAKLAND GIANTS

Long before the San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics were established in the Bay Area, the Oakland Giants were the baseball team thrilling fans of the East Bay. Hilary "Bullet" Meaddows, pictured here in a 1912 publicity shot, was one of the longtime stars of the Oakland Giants, a semi-pro, all-African-American team. Due to racial segregation laws in place at the time across the U.S., most black athletes could only achieve semi-pro status playing baseball in the "Negro Leagues" and "Colored Leagues" such as this. That practice would greatly shift after 1947, when Jackie Robinson joined the Major Leagues. Photo courtesy of the Oakland Public Library. #whereyoulive #ABC7Celebrates #BlackHistoryMonth #SFGiants #OaklandAthleticss #OaklandGiants #baseball #negroleagues #coloredleagues #jackierobinson #athletes #abc7news

FEBRUARY 16, IDA JACKSON AND MARCUS FOSTER OF OUSD

Pictured here in May 1973 are Dr. Ida Louise Jackson, Oakland's first African-American public-school teacher, in conversation with OUSD Superintendant Dr. Marcus A. Foster. The daughter of a former slave, Ida began teaching in Oakland schools in 1926. Dr. Foster also broke ground as the first black superintendent at Oakland Unified School District. Sadly, he was murdered in November 1973 by members of the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) as an alleged protest to district policies. Both are trailblazers we will never forget! Photo courtesy of OUSD/Oakland Public Library. #whereyoulive #ABC7Celebrates #BlackHistoryMonth #OUSD #idalouisejackson #marcusfoster #teacher #education

FEBRUARY 15, DR. JOSEPH BRYANT JR.

Join us in saluting Dr. Joseph Bryant Jr., a multi-faceted, visionary leader who has served as Senior Pastor of Calvary Hill Church of San Francisco since 1996. He has initiated numerous programs in education, health, counseling and the workforce, impacting the Bay Area community greatly! He is the California Coordinator for the Rainbow/Push Coalition, working as liason with Reverend Jesse Jackson, as well as consultant to pro athletes. And Dr. Bryant also co-founded the Village Van Project, a transportation service, for underprivileged children and families. DOUBLE TAP to cheer on the good work of Dr. Joseph Bryant, Jr! #whereyoulive #ABC7Celebrates #BlackHistoryMonth #JosephBryantJr #CalvaryHillCommunityChurch #SanFrancisco #rainbowpushcoalition #pastor #givingback

FEBRUARY 14, DUKE ELLINGTON

Did you know that jazz legend Duke Ellington was an honorary citizen of Oakland? And that he performed at famous locations throughout the Bay Area - from Sweet's Ballroom in Oakland to the Claremont Hotel in Berkeley. Celebrate with your Valentine today by throwing on some Duke Ellington jazz - we recommend his famous "Mood Indigo" - and raise a toast to this amazing musical genius! Photo courtesy of Margo Page/National Museum of American History. #whereyoulive #ABC7Celebrates #BlackHistoryMonth #dukeellington #claremonthotel #sweetsballroom #jazz #valentinesday

FEBRUARY 13, ASTRONAUT MAE JEMISONN

Dr. Mae Jemison was the first African American woman in space back in 1992, but even before that she left her mark in the Bay Area when she entered Stanford University at the age of 16! She graduated from Stanford in 1977 with degrees in both chemical engineering and African American Studies. She went on to become a medical doctor, joined the Peace Corps, danced with the Alvin Ailey Dance Company, started her own company, and still serves as an advocate for science education. A true role model for us all! Photo courtesy of NASA. #abc7celebrates #blackhistorymonth #whereyoulive #maejemison #astronaut #spacetravel #NASA #PeaceCorps #AlvinAiley #science

FEBRUARY 12, IT'S ALL GOOD BAKERY, OAKLAND

Oakland's It's All Good Bakery is turning 20 next month! Owner Kim Cloud's signature 7-Up Lemon Pound Cake is one of many unique and original recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation. This family owned and operated bakery was also the first headquarters for the Black Panther Party. As a kid growing up in Oakland, Kim even participated in the Black Panther's "Free Breakfast Program" and now follows their model of giving back to the community. He employs those within the community who have had trouble finding jobs, thus providing opportunities and change for the city he loves. Stop by and pick up some sweets and thank Kim for his hard work...you might even spot a celebrity while there! #ABC7Celebrates #BlackHistoryMonth #WhereYouLive #ItsAllGoodBakery #Oakland #bakery #7upPoundCake #BlackPantherParty #OaklandNative #Dessert

FEBRUARY 11, BILLY DE FRANK CENTER, SJ

San Jose's Billy DeFrank Center has been a resource and respite for the Silicon Valley gay community since 1981. But many have little knowledge of the incredible man the center is named for! Billy de Frank is actually the stage name of a drag performer named William Price (1936 - 1980), who was renowned in the western United States as "Mr. Love" for his charitable fundraising contributions to senior homes, Children's Hospital in Oakland, political causes and the courts systems. As a fundraiser and activist, he worked hard to bring a voice to the gay community. Bravo, Billy! Photo courtesy of Ted Sahl and San Jose State University Archives. #abc7celebrates #blackhistorymonth #whereyoulive #billydefrank #billydefrankcenter #lgbtq #drag #siliconvalley

FEBRUARY 10, ROSIE THE RIVETER MUSEUM

During World War II, the city of Richmond became the home of the Kaiser shipyards, where hundreds of ships for the U.S. Navy were built by non-traditional factory workers - women, minorities, and those from the disability community. In this historic photo from 1943, welder-trainee Josie Lucille Owens was helping to construct the Liberty ship SS George Washington Carver. These ships were critical to the United States victory in the war. And today you can learn more about Josie and the others who stepped up to work in the factories and shipyards when needed at the Rosie the Riveter Museum on the Richmond waterfront. Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress. #abc7celebrates #blackhistorymonth #whereyoulive #rosietheriveter #worldwarII #libertyship #kaisershipyards #rosietherivetermuseum

FEBRUARY 9, AFRICAN AMERICAN COMPOSER INITIATIVE

"Our goal is a simple yet important one -- to bring the music of black composers, past and present, to the world," said LaDoris Cordell during a speech in January 2015 of the African American Composer Initiative. She and Menlo Park piano teacher Jodi Gandolfi scour the country looking for the works of black composers; some contemporary like Valerie Capers and Joshua McGhee, and some long forgotten like William Grant Still and Florence Price. Every January they perform the music they've discovered in a concert at the Eastside College Preparatory School in East Palo Alto. All funds raised by the concerts benefit the school directly. And the students there don't just listen or study the compositions, they take part an sing as well! Photo courtesy of African American Composers Initiative. #abc7celebrates #blackhistorymonth #whereyoulive #africanamericancomposers #eastsidecollegeprep #eastpaloalto

FEBRUARY 8, AFRICAN AMERICAN ART & CULTURE COMPLEX

Since 1989, the African American Art and Culture Complex has been a vital resource in San Francisco's historic Jazz Preservation District. The spacious facility includes a large theater, an art gallery, dance studios, a recording studio, and unique meeting spaces. This month's programming presents "Black Expression Matters," which includes a photography exhibition called san.ko.fa and performances with SFJAZZ about the sacred music traditions of the Americas.

FEBRUARY 7, T.J. WARD - DENVER BRONCOS SAFETY

In honor of Super Bowl 50, we salute Denver Bronco T.J. Ward. The Bay Area native credits much of his success to his parents, who taught him a strong work ethic and continue to be his biggest cheerleaders. His dad, who played for the Philadelphia Eagles and was in Super Bowl 15, helped coach T.J. at De La Salle High School, while his mom drove carpool for him and his equally athletic siblings. Welcome back to the Bay Area, T.J.! #abc7celebrates #blackhistorymonth #whereyoulive

FEBRUARY 5, SPENCER CHRISTIAN (National Weatherperson's Day)

Our own ABC7 Weather Anchor Spencer Christian is a part of living history. He was born in 1947, the same year that Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. Spencer grew up in the old "Jim Crow" South, where all places of public accommodation were rigidly segregated until he was about 20-years-old; and, when he began his broadcasting career in 1971, he was one of the very first people of color to appear on local TV news in the State of Virginia. Thank you, Spencer, for leading the way! #abc7celebrates #blackhistorymonth #whereyoulive

FEBRUARY 4, JONATHAN R. MILLER

Local author Jonathan Miller struggled with being biracial his entire life. In his literary fiction novels, Jonathan addresses bi-racial misconceptions and perspectives, while helping bi-racial children find their place in life. As a child, he was often mistaken for "white," which influenced his future writing style and thought process. A Stanford graduate and former middle school teacher in East Oakland, Jonathan now strives to educate others on race issues through creative writing. More about his novels here. #WhereYouLive #abc7celebrates #JonathanRMiller #TheTwoLevels #ThreeCent

FEBRUARY 3, THE VILLAGE METHOD: MARK & MAHEA GASKINS

Mark and Mahea Gaskins recognized that many African American students struggle academically because they often feel like outsiders in their school system. The husband and wife team founded The Village Method (TVM) in Southern Alameda County to empower young people to reach their full potential. They, with their dedicated community partners, refer to the African proverb, "It takes a village to raise a child and a community to keep the parents sane." TVM's mission: to develop a sustainable academic pipeline for African American youth from elementary to college, from college to career, and back to their community. #ItTakesAVillage #abc7celebrates #whereyoulive #blackhistorymonth #TheVillageMethod

FEBRUARY 2, TREVOR PARHAM, OAKSTOP

Trevor Parham started Oakstop as a shared workspace for Oakland artists, entrepreneurs, and professionals so they'd have a place to collaborate creatively. He designed this t-shirt in honor of hip hop artist Tupac Shakur's birthday and the positive roles the rapper played in society. The annual celebration of Tupac's birthday epitomizes the flavor of community engagement Oakstop has cultivated since its opening two years ago. #whereyoulive #oakstop #abc7celebrates #blackhistorymonth

FEBRUARY 1, BLUE DEVILS PERFORMING ARTS

Blue Devils Performing Arts, based in Concord, is a proud partner of South Africa's "Field Band Foundation," pictured here. The Blue Devils is an internationally acclaimed show band and performing arts youth development organization... uniting young people from all over the world using the universal language of music! Its One Music One World initiative bridges cultural, economic, and political divides, helping youth establish a lifetime of social engagement. Its Entertainment arm will perform at Super Bowl 50 festivities! #whereyoulive #abc7celebrates #blackhistorymonth #bluedevils #bdworld

Archive: Black History Month 2015