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SoCal Group Holds Black-Themed Commencement, Presents Scholarships for Local High School Grads

The Buffongs say 694 students signed up for the Black graduation event their company held in conjunction with the Cooperative Economic Empowerment Movement (CEEM) and a myriad of other sponsors. In addition to celebrating the students’ achievements, the Buffongs say the event held at the Los Angeles County Fair Grounds in Pomona introduced members of the class of 2022 to culturally significant career, social and civic opportunities.

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More than 670 Black graduates from various high schools come to a special graduation at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds in Pomona on May 13, 2022.
More than 670 Black graduates from various high schools come to a special graduation at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds in Pomona on May 13, 2022.

SoCal Group Holds Black-Themed Commencement, Presents Scholarships for Local High School Grads

By Aldon Thomas Stiles, California Black Media

This past weekend in the Inland Empire, a San Bernardino couple welcomed hundreds of African American high school graduates from the region for a joyous multi high school, Black-themed graduation celebration.

“Sometimes we have students doing magnificent things and nobody sees them,” said Keynasia Buffong, co-founder of Buffong Consultation Solutions, the company that organized the celebration honoring graduates from various high schools in the area.

Keynasia Buffong co-owns the firm with her husband Jonathan Buffong. The couple wants to expand the mass graduation event to all regions in the state.

“When you come into your community, we see you. We recognize you,” Kaynasia Buffong continued.

The Buffongs say 694 students signed up for the Black graduation event their company held in conjunction with the Cooperative Economic Empowerment Movement (CEEM) and a myriad of other sponsors.

In addition to celebrating the students’ achievements, the Buffongs say the event held at the Los Angeles County Fair Grounds in Pomona introduced members of the class of 2022 to culturally significant career, social and civic opportunities.

Black Greek organizations attended the weekend-long event as well as the first Black valedictorian of Beaumont High School where African American students make up a little under 7% of the student population.

“We got a chance to give away $27,000 in scholarships,” said Keynasia.

Both Buffongs are educators and student advocates in California. They have been hosting the graduation event appreciating Black students for over 11 years.

But the Buffongs say celebrating success always comes with a reminder of the challenges Black students face.

According to the California Department of Education, at 72.5%, Black students had the lowest high school graduation rate among all other racial or ethnic groups at the end of the 2020 to 2021 academic year.

Jonathan said one of their goals is to help graduates transition into the next stage of their academic life, whether that be a four-year university, community college, trade school, or employment.

“Sometimes they don’t know where to go or what to do,” said Keynasia. “There’s mentorship and sponsorship and we aim to have both.”

For the scholarship awards, the Buffongs are not just looking at grades but the full context of the graduates’ lives.

“Whether it’s COVID, deaths, family or health issues, disabilities, we’re looking for things to support them on so we can get them to the next level,” said Jonathan.

Outside of academic and career success, the Buffongs spoke about the importance of Black cultural exposure through education and traditional practices such as the Black national anthem and a libation ceremony.

The libation ceremony is performed by an elder in the community as a way to honor one’s ancestors. It is significant in various African cultures as well as other cultures around the globe.

The Buffongs say their next step is to look into more internship opportunities and figure out how to help curb the high numbers of Black high school graduates who leave the state to pursue opportunities elsewhere.

Bay Area

5 Large-Scale Art Projects Approved for Shields-Reid Park

Five local artists will each create and install large-scale artworks as part of an $8 million project to revitalize Shields-Reid Park in North Richmond. At its meeting on March 21, the Richmond City Council approved granting $580,000 in contracts to the artists to carry out the projects. The artists were selected following a competitive application process.

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Shields-Reid Community Center and Park. Photo courtesy of Richmond Standard.
Shields-Reid Community Center and Park. Photo courtesy of Richmond Standard.

The Richmond Standard

Five local artists will each create and install large-scale artworks as part of an $8 million project to revitalize Shields-Reid Park in North Richmond.

At its meeting on March 21, the Richmond City Council approved granting $580,000 in contracts to the artists to carry out the projects. The artists were selected following a competitive application process.

Javier Rocabado will design, fabricate and install a series of four mosaic tile artworks on the front of the community center with a theme of music and sports (1a-d on graphic below); Alexandra Bowman will design, fabricate and install a series of four mural artworks on the back wall of the facility (2a-d); Edwin Marmanillo will take on Art Site #3, Habitat Garden area; the Lewis Watts Team will design, fabricate and install the Site 4 Stage left and right; and James Moore will design, fabricate, and install an art sculpture in Site 5 Park Gateway Entrance.

Image of Shields-Reid Park indicating places where art work will be installed. Image courtesy of Richmond Standard.

Image of Shields-Reid Park indicating places where art work will be installed. Image courtesy of Richmond Standard.

The city received $8 million from the California Dept. of Parks and Recreation to renovate the 5.17-acre Shields Reid Park.

The project aims to improve health and wellness, safety, beauty, access to outdoor recreation, and to help catalyze community revitalization for a diversity of ages and abilities, according to the city.

The project will include a stage, children’s play areas with integrated artwork, a fitness zone, community gathering areas with a shady grove of trees, handball court, outdoor classroom, a multi-use trail with fitness stations, water play area, bicycle pump track, a public restroom with amenities, perimeter fencing, and lighting, city documents state.

 

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National Coalition of 100 Black Women SF ‘Hats and Gloves’ Tea Returns

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The annual fundraiser gave guests an afternoon of sipping tea, sampling desserts and appetizers while exchanging stories, and sharing a special bond with other Black women in the community.

By Carla Thomas

Glamorous hats, St. John suits, Ferragamo shoes, and more glitzy fashion adorned some of the most powerful women in the San Francisco Bay Area at the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW) SF Golden Girls Hats and Gloves Tea.

Themed “Bridging the Generations,” the event was held in the Venetian Room of the Nob Hill Fairmont Hotel on Saturday, March 11, where more than 400 women celebrated the beauty, strength and resilience of Black women.

Frances Cohen, president of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW) SF chapter at the Golden Girls Hats and Gloves Tea. Photo by Carla Thomas.

Frances Cohen, president of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW) SF chapter at the Golden Girls Hats and Gloves Tea. Photo by Carla Thomas.

The annual fundraiser gave guests an afternoon of sipping tea, sampling desserts and appetizers while exchanging stories, and sharing a special bond with other Black women in the community.

Guests also took pictures, participated in both silent and live auctions with proceeds benefitting the NCBW-SF’s educational, financial and civic programs. Due to the pandemic, the in-person tea event had been postponed for three years.

Ida Hurst is pretty in pink at the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW) SF Golden Girls Hats and Gloves Tea. Photo by Carla Thomas.

Ida Hurst is pretty in pink at the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW) SF Golden Girls Hats and Gloves Tea. Photo by Carla Thomas.

A passion-filled keynote speech by educator and community advocate Dr. Veronica Hunnicutt, founder of the Hunnicutt Foundation, encouraged established women to assist other women on their career, educational and political journeys.

“Were it not for the Honorable Doris Ward, I would not have had the numerous opportunities I’ve had,” Hunnicutt said. “Exercise your gifts, they will carry you far.”

Hunnicutt is also the author of the “Straight Talk,” book series to empower young Black men and women. Well known as an education change agent, she serves as dean for San Francisco City College’s Southeast campus in the Bay View district of the city.

During her speech, Hunnicutt humbly gave thanks to NCBW SF president Sharon Lee and shared the accomplishments of comrades and colleagues throughout the room. She also paid homage to her own mother for providing a solid foundation in life and for being a straight-forward parent.

Guests (l-r) Mary Cole, Barbara Henry and Mary Dixon show off their outfits at the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW) SF Golden Girls Hats and Gloves Tea, “Bridging the Generations.”  Photo by Carla Thomas.

Guests (l-r) Mary Cole, Barbara Henry and Mary Dixon show off their outfits at the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW) SF Golden Girls Hats and Gloves Tea, “Bridging the Generations.” Photo by Carla Thomas.

Honorees of excellence included Wanda M. Holland Green of The Hamlin School who was presented with the Education Award. Joi Jackson Morgan of Third Street Youth Center and Clinic received the Trailblazer Award, and the Community Service Award was presented to Shakirah Simley of the Booker T. Washington Community Service Center.

Ingrid Merriwether of Merriwether & Williams Insurance received the Entrepreneur Award and Aline Armstrong of the San Francisco Department of Public Health received the Health Award.

Dr. Veronica Hunnicutt praised her mother and Doris Ward in her keynote address for the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW) SF Golden Girls Hats and Gloves Tea. Photo by Carla Thomas.

Dr. Veronica Hunnicutt praised her mother and Doris Ward in her keynote address for the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW) SF Golden Girls Hats and Gloves Tea. Photo by Carla Thomas.

The Art Award was presented to visual artist, Karen Seneferu, founder of “The Black Woman is GOD” exhibit and the Advocacy Award was presented to Healing 4 Our Families & Our Nation founder, Mattie Scott. The Golden Girl Award was presented to Cathy Davis of the Bay View Senior Services Agency and the Golden State Warriors received the Corporate Award.

NCBW SF President, Sharon Lee said, “I am so grateful to have the opportunity to have our Tea in person and honor eight individuals and one corporation who have demonstrated their commitment to supporting our community.”

Dr. Veronica Hunnicutt, CEO of the Hunnicutt Foundation keynotes the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW) SF Golden Girls Hats and Gloves Tea. Photo courtesy NCBW SF.

Dr. Veronica Hunnicutt, CEO of the Hunnicutt Foundation keynotes the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW) SF Golden Girls Hats and Gloves Tea. Photo courtesy NCBW SF.

Health Committee Chair Carletta Jackson Lane said, “The thing I love most about our Tea is that it allows Black women to come together in one place to enjoy each other and celebrate each other as we raise funds for our community programming.”

Former president of the organization Maxine Hickman of Hickman Homes said, “our Tea gives us an opportunity to celebrate the best of us by awarding our honorees and raising funds for our year-round programming in education, health, economic empowerment, and public policy.”

The events program booklet featured an ad for the Doris Ward Workforce Job Training Program offering women ages 18-59 a paid leadership development skills course. For more information visit: ncbw-sf.org.

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Menlo Park Residents Fear Loss of Onetta Harris’ Legacy in Facebook Offer to Overhaul Community Center

The legacy of a renowned Belle Haven organizer and advocate is under threat as the City of Menlo Park prepares to review suggestions for names of a new community center to replace the one named for Onetta Harris in 1983. A beloved community worker in the Belle Haven district of Menlo Park, Harris passed away in 1982.

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Front of the Onetta Harris Center in Menlo Park. Photo by Ken Harris
Front of the Onetta Harris Center in Menlo Park. Photo by Ken Harris

By Tanya Dennis

The legacy of a renowned Belle Haven organizer and advocate is under threat as the City of Menlo Park prepares to review suggestions for names of a new community center to replace the one named for Onetta Harris in 1983.

A beloved community worker in the Belle Haven district of Menlo Park, Harris passed away in 1982.

A member of the Belle Haven Advisory Board, Harris had also chaired the Neighborhood Housing Service, a housing rehabilitation agency, co-founded and served on the Charles Drew Medical Center with her husband, Israel Harris, and was an assistant to the principal at Belle Haven Elementary School.

She helped with voter registration and distributed food baskets during the holidays. On a personal level, Harris saved the lives of numerous Belle Haven youth with wise council and support, taking many into her home to live with her.

After receiving a petition from local residents, the Menlo Park City Council voted unanimously to name their community center the Onetta Harris Community Center in 1983.

Onetta Harris. Courtesy of Ken Harris.

Onetta Harris. Courtesy of Ken Harris.

In 2019, Facebook entered into a joint agreement with the City of Menlo Park to redevelop the property that housed the Onetta Harris Community Center, promising to fully fund a new “state-of-the-art” community center with a library, senior center, youth center, gym, and multipurpose room.

At the time, Menlo Park Mayor Ray Mueller lauded the tech company’s proposal.

“Facebook’s proposal, to wholly fund the building of a new state of the art community center and library in Belle Haven, represents a significant and impactful investment in the quality of life of Menlo Park residents, and significantly District 1 residents,” he said. “It would be insincere for me to pretend it isn’t the type of project that fosters appreciable trust from the community in Facebook’s long-term commitment to its neighbors and the City of Menlo Park.”

At the 2020 Council meeting attendees said, “The project is great, just don’t change the name.” Facebook replied that they “had no interest in changing the name.”

But the initial agreement with the City of Menlo Park reveals that Facebook, also known as META, could have naming rights. (Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is known for naming entities after himself as he did with San Francisco General Hospital.)

Three years later, it appears that Facebook’s view has changed and whether or not the center will carry Harris’ name is in question.

“To rename the center the Facebook or META community center after all my mother’s work and her love for our people would be tragic,” said Ken Harris, Onetta’s son. “My mom’s legacy would be erased. Her love for her community is the reason naming the center after her received unanimous support. We can’t allow these people to cancel us, our legacy and our culture.”

Last week the Menlo Park City Council met to establish name criteria as a prelude to the naming process and proceedings. Comments from the community to determine interest, with few exceptions, favored keeping the name Onetta Harris Community Center.

The final City Council vote will take place in late summer or early fall.

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