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McElhaney Advances Legislation Protecting Black Arts Movement and Businesses

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City Council President Lynette Gibson McElhaney will ask the city council’s Community and Economic Development (CED) committee next Tuesday to approve a resolution to designate the downtown 14th Street corridor as the Black Arts Movement and Business District (BAMBD).

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“This legislation will make it clear that the City of Oakland values the historic and current contributions of Black arts, artists and business leaders,” said McElhaney, who began working with community members on this proposal in 2014.

 

This resolution calls for the city to preserve and support Black arts and culture in Oakland creates to recognize movements and leaders that have placed Oakland on the national stage.

 

From the Pullman Porters union to the Black Panther Party, Oakland’s Black communities have played a significant role in advancing equity and inclusion for Blacks in American society.

 

“It’s a history that is known to some, but up until now hasn’t been formally acknowledged,” said McElhaney. “Highlighting African American contributions on 14th Street simply extends the theme of International Boulevard (E. 14th Street) to the spine west of Lake Merritt and includes Black contributions to arts, culture and business in the celebration of Oakland’s rich diversity.”

 

McElhaney held formal meetings with a diverse group of stakeholders of prominent Black leaders to shape this proposal to create a Black cultural and business district. The designation is timely in light of the Red Moon incident last year when African drummers were detained at Lake Merritt and Black churches have had to address potential fines when new residents complain.

 

McElhaney’s legislation will create the district on the 14th street corridor west of Lake Merritt in order to recognize institutions of long standing artistic and cultural importance to the Black community such as the African American Museum and Library, the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, Joyce Gordon Gallery, the Oakland Post, Geoffrey’s Inner Circle and Uncle Willies BBQ.

 

The inclusion of “Black Arts Movement” in the name draws direct connections to the national and global movement for Black empowerment centered on artistic expression. Oakland’s own Marvin X Jackmon, an author, playwright and lecturer, was a co-founder of the Black Arts Movement, who has championed the institutionalization of support for Black cultural and business activities over the past 10 years.

The creation of this district also sets the stage for bringing resources and government support to preserve existing institutions and support a new generation of Black artists and culture makers.

 

Official designation by Oakland allows for future applications to the state for funding as well as creates a means for funneling arts and culture grants to the Black community.

 

“This is just step one,” said McElhaney. “We will need to back up this resolution in the future with dedicated funding and creating institutional oversight. But this is a solid beginning to affirm our intention to make sure that the contributions of Black people are valued.”

 

Anyka Barber, owner of Betti Ono Gallery said the proposed 14th street corridor arts and business district program model can be applied to neighborhoods throughout the city, recognizing Oakland as a culturally diverse and vibrant arts and small business focused city.

Barber urged McElhaney to involve staff from the Mayor’s Office-Director of Equity and Strategic Partnerships, City Budget Office, Department of Race and Equity, Cultural Arts Department, Oakland Arts and Culture Commission, Cultural Funding , Real Estate Department, Planning and community stakeholders.

 

 

If approved by the CED committee, the legislation is expected to go to the City Council in February.

 

McElhaney says arts groups and members of the public who support this proposal can send letters to members of the City Council by email at council@oaklandnet.com.

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Arts and Culture

Oakland Jazz Great Offers Master Class as City Declares “John Handy Day”

World-renowned jazz master saxophonist John Handy, a McClymond’s High School graduate, was presented with a Mayor of Oakland Proclamation declaring Feb. 12, as John Handy Day in the city. Handy is most notably known as the featured saxophonist for Charles Mingus on “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat” from the album “Mingus Ah Um” (1959) and on “Hard Work” from his own album “Hard Work” (1976).

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(L-R) Del Handy, John Handy, Roger Glenn, and Joe Warner celebrate John Handy Day at Geoffrey’s Inner Circle, Oakland. Photo by Lady Bianca.
(L-R) Del Handy, John Handy, Roger Glenn, and Joe Warner celebrate John Handy Day at Geoffrey’s Inner Circle, Oakland. Photo by Lady Bianca.

By Conway Jones

World-renowned jazz master saxophonist John Handy, a McClymond’s High School graduate, was presented with a Mayor of Oakland Proclamation declaring Feb. 12, as John Handy Day in the city.

Handy is most notably known as the featured saxophonist for Charles Mingus on “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat” from the album “Mingus Ah Um” (1959) and on “Hard Work” from his own album “Hard Work” (1976).

“John Handy is a jazz icon and an inspiration to musicians everywhere,” said Ayo Brame, a 16-year-old Oakland tenor saxophone player who is enrolled at the Oakland School for the Arts.

In celebration of this day, the reception in downtown Oakland at Geoffrey’s Inner Circle was a gathering of artists, young and old, coming together in his honor and celebrating his 91st birthday.

Handy presented a Saxophone Colossus free masterclass for musicians. This class afforded a rare opportunity to learn about the saxophone from an aficionado. The class was free and open to all – saxophonists, vocalists, aficionados, students, and casual listeners.

“As a longtime friend for over 60 years, and fellow musician who has had numerous opportunities to share the stage with John, it has always been a pleasure performing with him and hearing his creative interpretations of the music and his gift of ease inspiring the next generation of jazz musicians,” said Roger Glenn, a multi-instrumentalist.

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Arts and Culture

Musical Chronicling Life of Betty Reid Soskin Set for Bay Area Debut

Betty Reid Soskin’s storied 102 years includes time spent as a WWII defense worker, activist, business owner, songwriter, National Park Service park ranger and so much more. Now the Richmond icon is the subject of a musical based on her incredible life.

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Betty Reid Soskin. Photo courtesy of Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond.
Betty Reid Soskin. Photo courtesy of Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond.

The Richmond Standard

Betty Reid Soskin’s storied 102 years includes time spent as a WWII defense worker, activist, business owner, songwriter, National Park Service park ranger and so much more. Now the Richmond icon is the subject of a musical based on her incredible life.

Sign My Name to Freedom,” a San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company (SFBATCO) production which will focus on the life, music and writing of Ms. Soskin, will premiere at San Francisco’s Z Space Friday, March 29 and continue through Saturday, April 13. Tickets range from $15–$65 and can be purchased online at https://www.sfbatco.org/smntf

The musical is directed by Elizabeth Carter, while playwright Michael Gene Sullivan integrates Ms. Soskin’s own music throughout dialogue between what SFBATCO calls “The Four Bettys” as they progress through a century of experiences of this awe-inspiring American woman.

The cast of “Sign My Name to Freedom” features Tierra Allen as Little Betty, Aidaa Peerzada as Married Betty, Lucca Troutman as Revolutionary Betty and Cathleen Riddley as Present Betty Reid Soskin, according to Artistic Director Rodney Earl Jackson Jr. and Managing Director Adam Maggio. Other casting will be announced in the future.

Jackson said that having Soskin’s blessing to steward her life’s story is an honor and career highlight for him and that her journey stands as “a beacon for Black Americans, women and people of color all across the world [and] is a testament to the strength of the human spirit.”

San Francisco’s Z Space is located at 450 Florida St. in San Francisco. Check out the trailer here at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-ap9N2XBB0

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Arts and Culture

Gov. Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom Host 2024 Hall of Fame Ceremony

Former Assembly Speaker and San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown and three other African Americans were among 10 luminaries inducted into the 2024 Class of the California Hall of Fame on Feb. 8. The 17th Annual California Hall of Fame ceremony was held at the California Museum.

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Willie Brown, Former California Assembly Speaker and San Francisco Mayor, was proud to be among the Hall of Fame inductees. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.
Willie Brown, Former California Assembly Speaker and San Francisco Mayor, was proud to be among the Hall of Fame inductees. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.

By California Black Media

Former Assembly Speaker and San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown and three other African Americans were among 10 luminaries inducted into the 2024 Class of the California Hall of Fame on Feb. 8.

The 17th Annual California Hall of Fame ceremony was held at the California Museum.

“The California Hall of Fame is one of our families’ favorite traditions as it is a time to come together to celebrate remarkable Californians as well as their loved ones because we know that it is about partnerships,” Siebel Newsom said. “The governor likes to say that California is a dream factory because it doesn’t matter what zip code or background you come from, the California dream is alive and well to everyone who calls this state home.”

The other Black honorees were filmmaker Ava DuVernay; Federal Judge and civil rights leader, the Hon. Thelton Henderson; and basketball Hall of Fame player and broadcaster Cheryl Miller.

“It’s what I’ve been waiting for and to be among a great group of individuals that also deserve the honor,” Brown told California Black Media on the event’s red carpet before the ceremony began. “No, I never thought someone from Texas would be recognized this way. But here I am, and it all happened in the great state of California. It’s a fantastic feeling.”

Other 2024 inductees are: master chef and “mother of fusion cuisine” Helene An; computer scientist and “father of the internet” Vincent A. Cerf; all-female pop punk band The Go-Gos; Chicano Rock band Los Lobos; former U.S. Secretary of Defense and Congressman Leon E. Panetta; and artistic director and choreographer Brenda Way.

This year’s honorees join a history-making club with over 150 inspirational Californians previously inducted for their groundbreaking achievements and personifying the state’s innovative spirit.

“It’s just a humbling experience. I want to thank the Governor and First Partner. Who would have thought 100 years ago (that I would be inducted?) It’s incredible,” Miller said after her induction. “I want to thank the governor and First Partner for an incredible event.”

During his acceptance speech, Henderson said he was deeply honored.

“You know, it really would have been a really big deal to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in the area where I grew up, for example, South Central Hall of Fame, or the Watts Hall of Fame, or the Straight Out of Compton Hall of Fame,” he said. “But being inducted into the California Hall of Fame, Hall of Fame of the greatest state in the country in this great nation is something else.”

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