a lot of this history is not african-american history. it's american history. there's a letter that benjamin banneker wrote to thomas jefferson in 1791. and he's basically -- thomas jefferson at the time was the secretary of state, and benjamin banneker was this accomplished astronomer who would help plan that print for the nation's capital. he was this accomplished man. he published annual almanacs that, with a striking precision, rejected crops. so he was this accomplished man your he was making clocks. i can go on and on about his accomplishments, and he was thomas jefferson insisted that african-americans were intellectually inferior and would never be equal to whites. so benjamin banneker writes this letter that should be a part of our education, because he's basically appealing to him as an american, as, you know, as a scholar, as a christian. and he sang, you know, yeah, my skin is as black as night, but unequal. like, how could you see otherwise? we are equal. sure, we are integrated in circumstances now, so you don't see us in full flower, but the pote

the local chapter of that group is what is now known as the african-american cultural and historical society. so it's an honor. we've been doing this for many, many years and it's great to see so many faces out here today. right now what i'd like to do is thank our partners and acknowledge them for their participateation. the san francisco public library much the california cultural arts program and we couldn't do it without the good folks in the mayor's office of neighborhood services. what i'd like to do now is strue -- shall truce -- intro duce tanish hollins from the mayor's office of neighborhood services. >> good amp, family. happy black history month. could we hear it one more time? [applause] >> we are so honored to be here. we look forward to this every year. it's a hall mark event for the city and county of san francisco. an opportunity to reflect on the many, many contributions of african-americans in this city and how each of us has changed the gee graval and cultural landscape of this city. how fitting that we celebrate black history month today, which is also the same a

, it's about what african-americans have been doing for us as a society

they document the presence of africans and people of african decent in new york america from 1604, coming forward to current events. one of the things bernard likes to say in his presentations, he does a talk about what they didn't teach you in school. what he talks about is the history that was not presented in school. this exhibit brings forth a loot of information -- a lot of information that is not currently available. the kinsey collection has been added to the crick column of the state of florida, a portion of it, to helpful fill the requirements in their multicultural education programs. when we ask the questions are our students ready, we believe that a fundamental part of their readiness is to have a clear sense of themselves and the world around them. that has to start early. we think that while we had a very successful presentation of the kinsey exhibit and adults coming to our gallery at the african-american art and culture complex, what we really want to achieve over the next couple of months is to work out a relationship with the district to get students to come in and obser

opportunities and challenges facing our local african community. but first, before we begin, campaign for change. on january 20th, 2009 he changed history. barack obama took the oath as the 44th president of the united states breaking a 220-year old mold in which only white men had the office. in his address he boldly challenged americans to remake america. t.j. winnick filed this report on inauguration day. >> it was quite simply history. >> i barack obama do solemnly swear that i will execute the office.... >> john roberts may not have reis a cited it word for word. he could not trip up barack obama after getting a thumbs up from daughter sasha addressed the nation and world as the first african-american president of the united states. >> today i say to you the challenges we face are real. they are serious and they are many. they will not be met easily or in a short span of time but know this, america, they will be met. >> an estimated million people that viewed it he offered a new beginning. >> to the muslim world, we want a new way forward. >>

i'm al williams, president of the board of the san francisco african-american historical society.elcoming you all to this annual 2011 kickoff program for black history month. first of all i'd like to say that the chairs to my right are vacant and will be filled shortly. the mayor will be arriving about 11:30. he had another engagement that he was they'd at. and supervisors -- he was delayed at. and supervisors -- no, that's not them -- miracle arim aye and coyne are in committee and i understand they will be finishing up shortly and then they will be joining us to bring greetings. i want to thank pastor curran and ms. suites for their participation in the program. and ms. suites with her wonderful voice, we use this program as an opportunity to present cameos of people who are otherwise engraged shall -- engaged in black history month programs and ms. suites is going to be appearing next tuesday, february 8 at yoshii's. and of course pastor is appearing weekly and a couple times sunday at jones united methodist church. so let's certainly visit and support her at jones united memor

he talked about the local african-american community. shear lisa amin gulezian. >> the african-american community in the bay area has made national news for situations that has not always been in the best of light. >> on this new year's day the people of the baptististers ministers union want to. >> for some their spirit is also broken. especially after crimes like the gang rape of 15-year-old girl in richmond and the shooting death of an unarmed barber in oakland by police. >> we are a hurting community but there has to be a change or a strategy of survival set up in our churches. >> the movement initiative encourages economic development and help and wellness and it will be the church's job to put a positive step out. >> they are trying to figure out a schedule so financial aid can begin as soon as possible. >> richmond city councilman says they need this initiative to work. rich monday monld's ranked high in the country in 2009. >> for us to make change we need to believe in change. so it's our responsibility to put those in focus. >>

we are in the african and american art and culture complex, on the second floor. as far as commission is concerned, the exhibit is open to the public. we do ask for donations, but it is free to the public. there is no set free -- set fee to come in. president mendoza: any other comments? commissioner norton: thank you for the presentation, and thanks for coming to let us know about this. my question is for staff. if there is a teacher or principal, or somebody connected with the school tonight who would like to take advantage of this offer, who should the contact? >> we will figure out a way to give all schools and opportunity, and to have a little bit of a conversation in terms of how much -- be careful what you ask for. free is an awfully nice price for our teachers. we would like to work out a process quickly, because we are running out of time. president mendoza: thank you very much. i just wanted to thank you for coming. i have a seventh grade son. this past weekend, we were in the car listening to the commentary on our first african- american that attended o

my friend is going to be talking to a number of african leaders about what we believe african unions to make a point about the unacceptable behavior of colonel gaddafi. >> he said the hopes and aspirations were to stirring, and if we are to build a new relationship with the middle east based on mutual respect, is it not the case that we do need to get rid of our reputation for double standards? that not only means, standing up to dick todayers to, it also means saying very plainly that the occupation of one country by another is wrong and has to end? >> well, i would have some agreement with the honorable gentleman. i think we should be clear in the case of israeli and palestine, very clear that the settlements are wrong and the vote that we cast is absolutely clear about that. i think we should also be clear that we want to see the advance of civil society, open societies, pluralism, democracy and freedom, in countries across north africa and the middle east. what i found talking to leaders in kuwait and qatar, imam and elsewhere, it's not a message that friends in the gulf reject.

with this piece, i have used african prints. this is painted african fabric.nd this is mud cloth. >> marion coleman is one of the best quilters in the bay area, at the very least but probably nationally. she's typical in that she started out quilting on weekends in the evening and found herself increasingly passionate about what she could do with quilts. she responds to calls for exhibits by wanting to tell the african-american story. >> for this piece i'm working on, documenting the lives of african-american nurses. they were oftentimes not allowed to work in an integrated hospital so they had their own nursing association. i like collecting the fabrics and thinking about what i'm going to do with it. i started out being a very light stitcher and the more i quilt, the more stitches i put on. and it creates the kind of texture that you would if you were like, i think, putting lots of paint on something. you know you can feel it. you can see it. it has a lot of movement in it. >> this is my jazz quilt about artist deedee bridgewater. i call this one "sisters."

the contributions that made african-americans part of -- the cut to beaches that african- americans have made are very important to the city. -- the contributions that africans and americans have made are very important to the city. i would like to think mike's sonmy grandson, my children. -- and i noticed that carol is in the house. all of these people were strong supporters of me when i was working for supervisor maxwell. thank you. [applause] >> congratulations, alice. don't be a stranger. our next commendation will be offered by a our supervisor from district 6. >> we wanted to recognized two advocates in district 6. the importance of recognizing a black history month. i recognize the position that i am in and the honor of serving our city and i would not be here if it was not for the work of many who have come before me, particularly in our civil-rights movement, in the community. many leaders men toward others and the day mentored me. i was mentored by an african- american woman who taught me the importance of making a difference. we wanted to recognize two leaders in district 6. v

that need to be told because it is not just about recognizing african-americans, it's about what african-americans have been doing for us as a society for many, many years. so when i have a chance to talk about my life because i'm just new rookie payor, wants to know how am i thinking, where am i coming from, i'm going to tell about these stories that never get told because they're about life. they're about contributions. they're about how we relate to each other and so i am so proud to be up here with malia cohen, who is going to create many, many new stories to come along with all of san francisco and the other supervisors up here and the oop leaders and al williams and the historical society who are doing very important work to document the contributions so that we can justify why we need to make a special effort to make sure that there is no outmigration, to make sure that there are jobs. to make sure we protect the family structure. because from my heart and where i come from and what my family is all about, i know what it is to be helped by the african-american community. i know that that's