rising. thanks for watching. welcome to the bridge to excellence scholarship awards ceremony. please, give it up. what a beautiful day we've been blessed with. it's warm. it's sunny. and we're going to give out some amazing awards to some tremendously talented and perseverance students. the bridge to excellence scholarship is awarded to seniors who are highly dedicated to their academic success. the award is giving to students so they can overcome the financial barriers that come along with attending a

four-year university. and so today, i would like to introduce mayor breed. i would just like to say a couple words about mayor breed. she was born and raised in plaza east public housing by her grandmother. fast forward to 2018, she was elected to be the first african american woman to serve as mayor of san francisco. in 2019, she was re-elected and her and her administration have worked very hard and tirelessly to focus on some of the most crucial issues in san francisco including homelessness, public housing, workforce development, and, of course, covid-19

recovery. we all remember 2020 and we want to thank mayor london breed for taking a leadership role in recovery. the vaccination point was very scary times. but she set up many vaccination sites all around the city. and, today, over 89% of eligible residents are vaccinated, so let's give it up for that. not only did she help the public health, but she also helped the businesses, the small businesses recover. she gave over $65 million in grants and loans to 3,000 small businesses around san

francisco. since 2020, she's been working on a homeless recovery act where over 6,000 units are being created as we speak to help house unhoused individuals. i can go on and on about mayor breed. she was the executive director of the african american art and culture complex for over seven years and it just goes to show how much effort and how much she cares about the youth in san francisco and that's why she created this scholarship in 2019 to help youth overcome the hardships and barriers that come along with attending college. these students have maintained a very high gpa. they have overcome some of the

toughest situations of being a young person in san francisco and these students have been dedicated to going to a four-year university and being one of the first people in their family to go to university. so let's give it up for them. once again, i would like to introduce one of my personal heroes, mayor london breed. all right. how are you doing? >> good morning. come on. the first thing i'm going to say is obviously i'm not mayor london breed. so we got that out the way. my name is murell green. my name is dr. murell green. i am the newly appointed board

of trustee for city college of san francisco by mayor london breed. and she asked me to come here this morning, today to express a couple words to the scholarship recipients. first of all, i'd like everybody to clap for our scholarship recipients and i think you can do a little better than that. please. there you go. secondly, it wasn't too long ago, well, actually it was that i was sitting in your place. a product of the san francisco unified school district, george washington high school off going to clark atlanta university and received a scholarship from various organizations. now, let me tell you what that did for me. if it wasn't for those scholarships, i would have been able to afford to go to the

college of my choice. someone somewhere believed in me. and, so this is what i did while i was in college. so this is the first lesson for the recipients. college is a time where you're going to have options some good, some bad. you're going to have to make decisions. whatever you do, remember who was that invested in me to get here and i have to make them proud. i have to follow through with what was delivered to me. as you think about the scholarships, it's more than money. it's a privilege. and i want you guys to take advantage of that privilege as you go on to your universities. i've looked over the list of outstanding universities. we have the cal state university system. university of california system. one of my favorites historically black colleges and

universities. but, congratulations to all of you. but remember there's somebody somewhere that's invested in you whether you know them or whether you don't know them. none of you know me. i'm invested in your future. there are people here today that are invested in your future and there are people who are not here that are invested in your future. so go forth, do well. we are so proud of you. thank you. [applause] and, with that, i will introduce the mayor of the city and county of san francisco, the honorable mayor london breed. [applause] >> i'm so -- testing, one. two. i'm so really excited to be here with all of you today. i know it's been a long journey

to get here and i want to thank murell for joining us and murell and i are still friends despite the fact i want to gal and he went to wash. are those rivalries still going on? kind of. a lost generation back in the day. anyway, i am really excited to be here because i started this program when i first became mayor. and i started it along with opportunities for all where young people can access to a paid internship and also folks who are first in their families to go to college can have access to a scholarship. and i've got to tell you, you know, i'm the mayor here of san francisco today because i had people who believed in me because i had support and even though i had a lot of challenges growing up, i'm here. and i was able to attend

college. and so when i started this scholarship fund, i wanted it to be something that really focused on kids who kind of grew up through similar challenges like i did. because i will tell you that people who i grew up with, are they didn't in some cases make it. sadly, they've ended up on drugs. they've ended up in jail. they've ended up dead. and, i remember going to more funerals as a teenager than i can even count and thinking to myself what can change? what can we do to make a difference? and i remember being in college and getting the phone calls of people that i loved and i care about who we had lost. there was a lot of pain and a lot of suffering to the point where i felt like i wanted to give up. i didn't always have all the financial resources i needed. my grandmother who raised me in

public housing, she didn't have the money to help. she did what she could. every now and then she'll send me a card in the mail with $20 and say stay focused and do good and $20 was a lot. and, what i am so excited about today is with my story knowing that regardless of my circumstances that i could be here with you all today and be in a position as mayor and to tell you directly if someone like me can grow up in the most challenging of circumstances, then you all can grow up in the most challenging of circumstances and you can still overcome that and you can still succeed in life. and, i don't want you to tell anyone -- i don't want anyone to tell you what you can't do because the fact that you were

able to maintain a high grade point average. the fact that you were able to graduate from high school. the fact that you were able to focus on applying to major universities in this country. and the fact that all of you, each and every one of you has a story that probably most people wouldn't even believe that you've gone through these extraordinary obstacles to be here today. and so i wanted you to know how important you are. how hard it was to make a decision to receive this scholarship. more importantly, this is really about making sure that money is not a barrier to your success. and that's what it means to make sure that we provide scholarships, that we provide resources, that we provide support. and, today, i have a special surprise. yes, you're still getting your

scholarships, but you're also getting something real special because i also think what you see is what you know you can be. the reason why i brought all these special people here today is because i want you to see yourself in them. i want you to know that there are people who have experienced the same challenges you have experienced and have become successful in life. so today i have a very special guest. this person grew up in san francisco just like all of you. he graduated from lowell high school. he participated in various programs including project level where he received a stipend because of the opportunities for all the programses. all these great things and he went on to be this multi-platinum artist with

1.6 million, you know that stuff on spotify, streams. thank you. ya'll know i'm old. but here's the special thing about him, he continues to give back to the community. and so ladies and gentlemen, i want to platinum recording artist 24k golden. where's the walk-up song? ♪ oh, baby you you got what i need, but you say i'm just a friend ♪♪ ♪ oh, baby you, you got what i

need ♪♪ >> so let me just say, i wanted to invite him here because not only did he participate in some wonderful programs in san francisco, he's really a star. he's performed on the grammy's. he performeded here at what was that concert here? yeah. outside land in front of thousands of people, but he's not just a talented singer and recording artist. he worked so hard to perfect his craft. ment he worked so hard to do everything it is that he's doing and because of his hard work, he's a success and he's right here from the city and county of san francisco. so you should be proud. so i wanted to do something special and i asked him to come talk to all of you and he said

yes without hesitation. he gets paid a lot of money to show up. so when we asked him to come and talk to all of you about his experiences he said without hesitation, yes. but i wanted to do something special for him because he's been doing a number of things. he has not forgotten where he came from. when he had an opportunity to give to any charity he wanted, someone else's money, he chose project level and i see big rich in the back. thank you for having here. big rich works with project level who works with young people through a number of things, not just using their talents, but their skills and choreography and graphic arts and all these things that you all do and he chose this organization to not only give back, but he continues to be actively engaged in the community in some capacity. he knows that it's meaningful to ensure that regardless of your success and how successful

you become in life, it's so important that you give back and you provide opportunities to other people. so he's here to talk to you today, but before he does, i wanted to do something special to welcome him back home with all of his success to give him something that i hope would be beneficial, something he can be privileged and honor to carry around the world. today on behalf of the city and county of san francisco, we're going to officially declare it 24k golden day in san francisco. >> thank you so much. oh, my god. yo, can ya'll hear me all right? i'm a little more familiar with this one. first of all, thank you so much, mayor breed. i didn't know that this was going to be happening coming in today. this is a huge surprise and i just want to say that this city

made me who i am today. you know, it wasn't so long that i was in all your guys' position right there applying for college, trying to get scholarships and i know how crazy it is to grow up in this city, how beautiful it is, how special it is to all of us and even though you've put in a lot of work in the last 12, 13 years in the public school system, that's just the beginning. what ya'll are about to do now, that's the real beginning of your story. that's the real first step. so wherever you're going next whether it's college, university, community college, just make sure that next step is a stride and sorry to my mom because she probably wanted to be here to see this happen but i forgot to tell her. so my bad. congratulations to all the talented scholars for your excellence that you

demonstrated. >> let's make some noise for 24k golden. 24k golden day. right on, bro. so i'd like to just say that this is a very special moment for our young people right now. and i just want to say give yourself a round of applause once again, please. i'll be mcing and i'll be awarding, not awarding, but i will be telling the young folks to come up here. but before we do all that, are i'd like to introduce a special guest. mike hill gregory. someone who i think is just an amazing person. i just have a few remarks to

say about mikel. i've known him since i think he was a freshman in high school and he's always been such a hard worker, great leader and just a dedicated and motivated individual. i'm very praud of him. he went to u.s.f. getting his b.a. in communications, kept it going. he got his miner in african american studies and was on the pre-med track to go to columbia. he's getting his medical degree at columbia university. he's striving to help folks that are not usually comfortable going to the medical office or comfortable with doctors. he wants to change that. he wants to intersect communication and medicine. he's super interested in medicine and that's what keeps

him going. that's what keeps him motivated. mikel, i'm really proud of you and i would just like to say, you're going to do great things and i know it and i've seen it from the very beginning. so please come up here. mikel is so happy that his family, spiritual parents, his parents have all come to support him and it takes a village and that village. yes, sir. thank you so much. >> give another round of applause for nico. i'm from a baptist church. so i like call and response. amen? amen? thank you. i am a village project. my name is mikel gregory. i am a village project. that means 100% college prep. that means more magic. that means collective impact. opportunities for all. college track, seo scholars, the list goes on. i can definitely acknowledge i'm not where i am right now by

my own merit without my parents and my community, it would not be possible. again, good morning. ya'll playing. i'm call and response. good morning. there we go. my name is mikel gregory. and i'm the first in my family to attend college and now a proud graduate of the university of san francisco. yes, sir, clap it up. where i majored in communication studies and biology on the premedical track. i know that was a mouthful. but each of those identities and i'm talking to you 15 and those accolades were so pittal to my success up until this very moment. i know this time is many speeches and overdone messages so i'm not going to stand before you here long. i want to recognize as a peer, as a peer graduate who stood in your shoes a little over four years ago, i know those emotions that you are currently

feeling. excitement about the new journey ahead. anxiety over how you're going to pay for it. nervousness as to how it will work out and lastly, fear on whether or not you should be the one that's chosen or if you're capable of doing the work. let me be the first to say although i understand, i know you can do it. if i can do it, that if the individuals sitting here with degrees can do it, then by golly, you can too. and not to mention, you have us here to support you as well. i'm going to leave you with three critical aspects to success. if you remember anything from my words that i've given you, i want you to remember this, own your story. your full authentic self is needed in that classroom, at that university. don't filter it. don't hide it or for the fame. don't filter it, don't hide it, the real you because of shame. stand proud of your story even the painful elements because it

was the accumulation of that story that brought you to this very place. it's not about where you start, but about where you're going. and, fail forward. and what i mean by that is i always like to tell people their story about me in my biology class and how i failed two tests and how i was asked to leave the major. but trust yourself and your journey enough that even in the times of perceived failure, you can still make it. if i didn't grow to believe that the valleys in my life were necessary to my development, i wouldn't be preparing to attend columbia university in the fall. and, finally, remember to give back and share gratitude about what you've learned. to let people -- to let the people know who've poured into you thank you. the teachers, the relatives, the mentors, the friends. they were individuals that poured into you on nights you didn't want to pour into yourself. so be careful enough to offer

your deepest appreciation and thanks on this day and forever more. i promise you it will go a long way. but also, your words of wisdom and expertise being shared to the generations coming after you is almost required at this point. because after all, the more you know, the more you owe. again, i'm going to say that for you one more time. the more you know the more you owe. it's not stopping with you. thank you, congratulations bridge of excellence scholars. i wish you the best. please use me as a resource in the future. [applause] >> okay. let's give it up for mikel one more time. please. [applause] so i would like to bring up mayor breed to issue the certificates and i will be announcing the names. students will be coming up.

d.j. carlos will be playing their song. >> i'm going to ask some special guests to join me to issue the certificates. first of all, 24k golden, he's going to issue you your certificates. so he's going to be joining me as well as the president of the board of education, jenny lam. and then there's also a member of the board of education who's here, ann chiu. and finally the people who will make magic happen for students shgts the director of the department of children, youth, and families, maria sue and the human rights director cheryl davis. and, last but not least, when we're done issuing the certificates, we're going to take a group photo and then you all can also take your blow-up

photographs with you. something you can walk away with. all right. let's get started. you're going to use that microphone. >> yeah. sure. okay. our first recipient of the bridge to excellence scholarship is ayindi hamilton. [applause] [♪♪] ayindi attended mission high school. graduating from mission high school and is going to u.c. berkeley. [♪♪]

next, we would like to introduce amy woo who graduated from galleleo high school. next, we would like to introduce chris yang. he graduated from lincoln high school and is attending the university of california berkeley.

[♪♪] >> next, we would like to introduce diani dillard who graduated from soto high school and is attending [ indiscernible ] [♪♪] . >> next up is hayley. [♪♪]

>> please make some noise for jayden degree who's graduating from miss high school and is attending u.c. davis. [♪♪] >> please make some noise for jasmine bailey. [♪♪] >> jasmine is graduating from galileo. she's attending san jose state university. [♪♪]

>> index is joanna lam. [♪♪] >> jasmine is graduating lowell high school. and she will be attending u.c. berkeley. [♪♪] >> let's give it up for john huwin. [♪♪] >> john has graduated from balboa high school. john will be attending u.s.c. [♪♪]

>> johnny linn, come on up here. johnny graduated from george washington high school. [♪♪] >> now he's attending u.c. berkeley. [♪♪]

>> folks, make some noise for jordan nicholson smith. jordan has graduated from mission. he will be attending southern university. [♪♪]

>> please welcome constance ford. constance has just graduated from lincoln high school and she'll be attending cal state los angeles. [♪♪] >> give it up for shayla dubose. shayla has also graduated from lincoln high school and she will also be attending cal state los angeles. [♪♪]

>> please, give some applause to vanessa perez. [♪♪] >> vanessa has just graduated from gateway high school. she will be attending colorado college. [♪♪] >> and, last but certainly not least, let's give it up for

wynona [ indiscernible ] [♪♪] >> wynona just graduated from burton high school. she will be attending san francisco state university. [♪♪] congratulations, wynona. [♪♪] >> all right. let's give it up for the class of 2022!

>> shop and dine in the 49 promotes local businesses and challenges residents to do their business in the 49 square files of san francisco. we help san francisco remain

unique, successful and right vi. so where will you shop and dine in the 49? >> i'm one of three owners here in san francisco and we provide mostly live music entertainment and we have food, the type of food that we have a mexican food and it's not a big menu, but we did it with love. like ribeye tacos and quesadillas and fries. for latinos, it brings families together and if we can bring that family to your business, you're gold. tonight we have russelling for e community. >> we have a ten-person limb elimination match. we have a full-size ring with barside food and drink. we ended up getting wrestling

here with puoillo del mar. we're hope og get families to join us. we've done a drag queen bingo and we're trying to be a diverse kind of club, trying different things. this is a great part of town and there's a bunch of shops, a variety of stores and ethnic restaurants. there's a popular little shop that all of the kids like to hang out at. we have a great breakfast spot call brick fast at tiffanies. some of the older businesses are refurbished and newer businesses are coming in and it's exciting. >> we even have our own brewery for fdr, ferment, drink repeat. it's in the san francisco garden district and four beautiful murals.

>> it's important to shop local because it's kind of like a circle of life, if you will. we hire local people. local people spend their money at our businesses and those local people will spend their money as well. i hope people shop locally. [ ♪♪♪ ] i worked on the it for 16+ years and i workeded an endless cycle of people going to the emergency room. i wanted to address those unmet needs. i have a satisfaction when we make a real difference in our clients' lives.

we were getting people housed, connecting them to treatment, and seeing them through sobriety. don't be afraid of failure. i have failed at things in my career and they are opportunities to continue on. it's important for women and women and people of color to see representation matters. when i first started my career 25 years ago, there were not that many other women. so it is amazing to respond to meetings and go to meetings and see other female leaders and learn from each other. this career is my dream job from working on [ indiscernible ] to being the chief and overseeing a division. it's been challenging and rewarding and inspiring.

>> hello, my name is jamie harper. in this episode, we are featuring the park locations in your very own backyard. this is your chance to find your heart in san francisco with someone special. golden gate park's largest body of water is this lake, a popular spot for strolling and paddling around in boats, which can be rented. created in 1893, it was designed foreboding and -- for boating.

it is named for the wild strawberries that once flores. a pleasant trail follows the perimeter past huntington falls, 110 foot waterfall. two bridges connect the trail to the island. the climb to the hills summit, the highest point in golden gate park at more than four hundred feet. you can get quinces of the western side of the city through -- glimpes of the western side of city through a thick trees. the lake is ada accessible. it has a peaceful atmosphere where you can enjoy a warm day. walk along the lake and watched many ducks, and swans, and seagulls. it is a tranquil spot to stroll, enjoy each other's company, and sail away.

many couples come here to take a ride around the lake, floating under the bridges, past the pavilion and waterfall. for a quiet getaway, it makes for a memorable and magical experience. located on 19th avenue, this grove is the place to wear your hiking boots, bring your family, and bring the dog because it has so much to offer you and your loved ones. it is a truly hidden gem in the city. the part is rich with eucalyptus trees. long paths allow you to meander, perfect for dog walking in a wooded environment. >> i enjoy this base and the history behind it. the diversity that exists in such an urban city, the

concrete, the streets, cars, we have this oasis of a natural environment. it reminds us of what san francisco initially was. >> this is a section for dogs and plenty of parking. transit is available to get you there easily. and the part is ada -- park is ada accessible. there is also a natural lake. this is your chance to stroll and let the kids run free. it also has many birds to watch. it is the place to find some solitude from the city and appreciate what you share with a wonderful breath of fresh air. , an experienced this park and

enjoy the peoples, picnics, and sunshine. this is a lovely place to take a stroll with your loved one hand in hand. located in the middle of pacific heights on top of a hill, lafayette park offers a great square a of a peaceful beauty. large trees border greenery. it features tables and benches, a playground, restaurants, and tennis courts. there are plenty of areas for football, frisbee, and picnics. it is very much a couple's part and there are a multitude of experiences you can have together. bring your dog and watch the mean go with the community or just picnic at one of the many tables and enjoy all of the park has to offer. many couples find this is the perfect place to put down a blanket and soak up the sun. it is a majestic place you can

share with someone you cherish. it is located along the 1 and 10 buses and is accessed from the 47 and 90 buses. it is ada accessible. for more information about reserving one of these locations, call 831-5500. this number is best for special events, weddings, picnics, and the county fair building. for any athletic fields and neighborhood parks, 831-5510. you can also write us. or walking in and say hello at old lock cabin, golden gate park. and of course you can find more information and reach us at sfrecpark.org.

>> look at that beautiful jellyfish. the way to speak to students and

motivate them to take action, to save the planet, they do, they care and my job is to speak to them in a way that they can understand that touches their heart and makes them feel powerful with simple actions to take every day. ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ >> i was born and raised in the desert of palm springs, california. my dad was the rabbi in the community there. what i got from watching my father on stage talking to the community was learning how to be in the public. and learning how to do public speaking and i remember the first time i got up to give my first school assembly, i felt my dad over my shoulder saying pause for drama, deliver your

words. when i was a kid, i wanted to be a teacher. and then when i got into high school, i decided i wanted to get into advertising and do graphic art and taglines and stuff like that. by the time i was in college, i decided i wanted to be a decorator. but as i did more work, i realized working my way up meant a lot of physical labor. i only had so much energy to work with for the rest of my life and i could use that energy towards making a lot of money, helping someone else make a lot of money or doing something meaningful. i found the nonprofit working to save the rainforest was looking for volunteers. i went, volunteered and my life changed. suddenly everything i was doing had meaning. stuffing envelopes had meaning, faxing out requests had meaning. i eventually moved up to san

francisco to work out of the office here, given a lot of assembly through los angeles county and then came up here and doing assemblies to kids about rainforest. one of my jobs was to teach about recycle, teaching students to reduce, reuse, recycle and compost, i'm teaching them they have the power, and that motivates them. it was satisfying for me to work with for the department of environment to create a message that gets to the heart of the issue. the san francisco department of environment is the only agency that has a full time educational team, we go into the schools to help teach children how to protect nature and the environment. we realized we needed animal mascot to spark excitement with the students.

the city during the gold rush days, the phoenix became part of the city feel and i love the symbolism of the phoenix, about transformation and the message that the theme of the phoenix provides, we all have the power to transform our world for the better. we have to provide teachers with curriculum online, our curriculum is in two different languages and whether it's lesson plans or student fact sheets, teachers can use them and we've had great feedback. we have helped public and private schools in san francisco increase their waste use and students are working hard to sort waste at the end of the lunch and understand the power of reusing, reducing, recycling and composting.

>> great job. >> i've been with the department for 15 years and an environmental educator for more than 23 years and i'm grateful for the work that i get to do, especially on behalf of the city and county of san francisco. i try to use my voice as intentionally as possible to support, i think of my grandmother who had a positive attitude and looked at things positively. try to do that as well in my work and with my words to be an uplifting force for myself and others. think of entering the job force as a treasure hunt. you can only go to your next clue and more will be revealed. follow your instincts, listen to your gut, follow your heart, do what makes you happy and pragmatic and see where it takes you and get to the next place.

trust if you want to do good in this world, that the tenderloin is home to families, immigrants, seniors, merchants, workers and the housed and unhoused who all deserve a thriving neighborhood to call home. the tenderloin initiative was launched to improve safety, reduce crime, connect people to services and increase investments in the neighborhood. as city and community-based partners, we work daily to make these changes a reality. we invite you to the tenderloin history, inclusivity make this neighborhood special. >> we're all citizens of san francisco and we deserve food, water, shelter, all of those things that any system would. >> what i find the most fulfilling about being in the

tenderloin is that it's really basically a big family here and i love working and living here. >> [speaking foreign language] >> my hopes and dreams for the tenderloin are what any other community organizer would want for their community, safe, clean streets for everyone and good operating conditions for small businesses. >> everything in the tenderloin is very good. the food is very good. if you go to any restaurant in san francisco, you will feel like oh, wow, the food is great. the people are nice. >> it is a place where it embraces all walks of life and different cultures. so this is the soul of the tenderloin.

it's really welcoming. the. >> the tenderloin is so full of color and so full of people. so with all of us being together and making it feel very safe is challenging, but we are working on it and we are getting there.