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Oakland Book Launch for “Reach”

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What happens when 40 African American men share stories of challenges and triumphs in their lives? An exceptional book; “Reach – 40 Black Men Speak on Living, Leading, and Succeeding.”

The book features 40 five-to-six page stories written by celebrities such as musician John Legend, actor Louis Gossett, Jr. and a variety of community leaders and builders throughout the country. Each entry highlights the realities that Black men live through and their resilience as they continue to dream.

At a recent book launch party held at Oakland’s Betti Ono Art Gallery, “Reach” project leaders and editors Ben Jealous and Trabian Shorters held a panel discussion along with local contributors Jarvis Sulcer, president and CEO of the Level Playing Field Institute, and Justin Davis, program officer of College Bound Brotherhood.

Jarvis Sulcer, president, & CEO, Level Playing Field Institute, and Justin Davis, Program Officer, College Bound Brotherhood, both contributors to the new book "Reach", at the book launch at Betti Ono Gallery in Oakland on Feb. 24.

Jarvis Sulcer, president, & CEO of the Level Playing Field Institute, and Justin Davis, Program Officer of College Bound Brotherhood, both contributors to the new book “Reach”, at the book launch at Betti Ono Gallery in Oakland on Feb. 24.

The panel, led by Stephen DeBerry of Bronze Investments, provided insightful discussion into the minds of men – their fears, obstacles, triumphs and the pressure to guide the next generation of leaders down the right path. They discussed the importance of dialogue and openness to foster the entire health of Black males and the community.

“The beauty of this book is that it gives the reader an opportunity to see themselves through the stories of others,” said DeBerry.

“Sharing personal stories in “Reach” provides a vehicle and voice to the fight, voice to the struggle and sheds light on the necessary actions it takes to rebuild a hurting community,” said Jealous, a Kapor Capital partner.

Jealous and Shorters both reiterated that men suffer through isolation because they may not have a brotherhood to depend on while women have a village approach of support during their times of crisis.

“Men need to have other men they can talk to and share with in order for their mental health and the stability to help lead healthy and powerful communities,” said Shorters, CEO of BMe Community.

Illustrations in the book by Kwesi Ferebee of Design Action Collective offer a creative sketch of each contributor. “I’m proud to have been a part of such an important project,” said Ferebee.

The launch party also featured the talented children of Young, Gifted and Black, who performed spoken word and song to the beat of stepping and hand clapping.

“Ain’t gonna let racism turn me around,” they sung and chanted as they spoke affirmations on the power of Black people.

“This project really speaks to the meaning of brotherhood and community,” said Cedric Brown, CEO of the Mitchell Kapor Foundation.

Freada and Mitch Kapor of Kapor Capital provided funding for the project and proudly share their love of leveraging technology to ensure a diverse playing field for tech talent.

“We are proud to help in the launching of “Reach” and we know that the next big idea will come from the untapped pools of talent in this room,” said Freada Kapor Klein. “Life gives rise to a sense of possibilities and we support that promise of the future.”

For more information, visit www.reachwithus.com.

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Arts and Culture

Faces Around the Bay Dr. Carl Blake, Pianist

Born in Liberty, Missouri, Carl Blake, a virtuoso and respected pianist, made his most recent migration to the East Bay in 1999. One might have seen him performing recently at Noontime Concerts in San Francisco, or at the Piedmont Center for the Arts in Oakland. He is Director of Music at The Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples in San Francisco. He was also co-organizer and collaborative pianist at Herbst Theater for The Majesty of the Spirituals concert in 2022 and has held several church positions in the Bay Area.

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Dr. Carl Blake
Dr. Carl Blake

By Barbara Fluhrer

Born in Liberty, Missouri, Carl Blake, a virtuoso and respected pianist, made his most recent migration to the East Bay in 1999.

One might have seen him performing recently at Noontime Concerts in San Francisco, or at the Piedmont Center for the Arts in Oakland. He is Director of Music at The Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples in San Francisco. He was also co-organizer and collaborative pianist at Herbst Theater for The Majesty of the Spirituals concert in 2022 and has held several church positions in the Bay Area.

Blake obtained a Bachelor of Music from Boston University and continued post-baccalaureate studies in Jamaica before earning a Master of Arts in Music at San Jose State University. He was the recipient of two Fulbright residencies in Honduras and completed a third residency at the University of St. Petersburg in Russia. He has a Doctor of Musical Arts from Cornell University.

At age 19, Blake, then an undergraduate piano major at Boston University, was “discovered” by Impresario Dr. W. Hazaiah Williams, who is the Founder and Director of Today’s Artists/Four Seasons Arts.

Williams honored Blake by awarding him the first Marian Anderson Young Artist Award.  Anderson personally presented the award at the Masonic Auditorium in S.F.  Subsequently, Blake was presented by Dr. Williams in his San Francisco debut at The Herbst Theatre. Williams subsidized a year of study abroad for Blake at the Paris Conservatory of Music. Additionally, Williams sponsored Blake’s New York Weill Hall debut, where he has performed twice since.  Blake performed several times at the Yachats Music Festival in Oregon.

Blake continues to perform nationally and abroad. His hobbies are reading, baking and travel. He says, “I’m still pumping ivories, as Belgian pianist Jeanne Stark described the disciplined practice of concert piano.”

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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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