Monterey Bay Black Folks Event Calendar |
Week of Mon Sept 21th through Sun Sept 27th, 2020 |
|
|
About the Monterey Bay Black Folks Event Calendar
The purpose of the Monterey Bay Black Folks Event Calendar is to connect the Black Community of CSU Monterey Bay with the local Black Communities of the Greater Monterey Bay Area. The idea for the calendar came out of the community forums organized as part of CSUMB's annual Super Saturday Black student recruitment events. The Calendar is edited by Steven Goings with new editions being released every Monday. To submit an event for possible inclusion, please send to AfricanQuazar@gmail.com. The submission deadline is Friday at 6pm.
|
|
Editor's Note:
Throughout this newsletter, Blue Underlined copy (including above!) indicates a searchable link.
|
|
Steven's
Recap:
Second Bi-monthly Black Folks Town & Gown Forum
On Sept 14, 2020 I hosted the 2nd Bi-monthly Black Folks Town & Gown Forum
The Forum was attended by a couple of dozen leaders from CSUMB and the Black Community and consisted entirely of updates from all quarters. Here is some of what was shared.
CSUMB Updates
Center for Black Student Success: The CBSS website is up at https://csumb.edu/blackstudentsuccess. Although it has been announced by the Chancellor's Office that the entire CSU system will continue with distance learning for the entire 2020-21 academic year, new building construction is continuing and their will be a physical location for the Center by the time students return.
The CBSS will be producing a number of virtual events this semester which is covered in the Up Coming CSUMB Events section of today's Black Folks Calendar (scroll to section below).
The CBSS has also invited key community leaders to serve with students, staff and faculty as part of the CBSS Inaugural Advisory Committee.
Community Committee Members: Helen Rucker, Alice Jordan, Dirrick Williams and Charles Brown representing The Village Project, Inc., Josh Stewart representing the Monterey County Branch NAACP, Pastor Eugene Jones, Monterey City Councilman Tyller Williamson and MPUSD Candidate Debbie Anthony.
- Black Faculty Letter on Systemic Racism
- Mandla Mentoring
- Harambee
- Historically Black Church Tour
- Black Students United
- Super Saturday
- The Village Project
- Campus Towne
- Greater Victory Temple
- The City of Seaside
- Youth Summit on Race
- Emergency Court Support
- Seaside and CSUMB access to Healthy Foods
|
|
CSUMB's
Day of Action for Racial Equity: Black Faculty & Staff Teach-In
Nearly 1,000 campus and local community members attended the teach-in organized by Dr. Vanessa Lopez-Littleton, Dr. Stephanie Johnson, Professor Daniel Summerhill, Ms. Darcelle Burnett, Mr. Allen McClellan, Dr. Kamilah Majied, Dr. Umi Vaughan and all who organized the Day of Action for Racial Equity: Black Faculty & Staff Teach in.
|
|
Candidate's Corner:
Audra Walton is running for the position of MPUSD Governing Board Trustee, Area 1.
Audra is a Mother, a Veteran of the US Air Force Reserve and CA Air National Guard, a Tax Professional and an Activist.
"I am a multi-generational resident of the Monterey Peninsula and as a young parent I was active in the school district while simultaneously managing a career with the Air Force and putting myself through college.
Earning an AA in Social Sciences and a BA in Politics, I moved on to become a Tax Professional and have been a community organizer throughout the greater Monterey Bay Area.
My focus is ensuring equity and parity across schools within the district, closing the digital divide, and facilitating distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, while engaging and listening to the parents and stakeholders in our community."
|
|
Candidate's Corner:
Miriam Smith is running for the position of MPUSD Governing Board Trustee, Area 2.
Ms. Smith's Campaign Statement:
When elected, she will have the power to enable great change within the MPUSD. She stands for the children that are traditionally left out of success within the classroom and outside. The current manner in which the system operates perpetually excludes children that require extra help or resources. They are overlooked and allowed to graduate without the proper tools to operate well in this modern world, and Miriam is passionately dedicated to changing that. With Miriam in this position, no child will be left behind.
Currently, over 80% of Seaside students qualify for free or reduced lunch and Seaside has the highest rates in the district of poverty as well as the highest population of Black children and children of color. Miriam sees that these children have been targeted by multiple systems and will not allow poor students to be invisible. She takes her years of hard work and dedication and funnels it towards a cause, and actually creates change. The system cannot carry on in its current way, and with Miriam in this position, no child will fall behind due to the racial, socio-economic, and ableist inequities that plague the system currently. Miriam’s work is enduring and impassioned, and will carry forward a new generation of extremely equipped, prepared and caring students.
|
|
In the Spotlight:
Miriam Smith
Miriam Smith has been laboring for her community for over 30 years, tirelessly materializing an organizing power that is a force to be reckoned with. An enduring of love and wisdom in Seaside, Miriam is a fierce anti-racism activist who does the daily work of many people to maintain momentum and build progress toward Black liberation. Miriam has both the lived experience of being a poor and disabled student of intersectional marginalization as well as an intimate familiarity with caring for poor and disabled students with their own overlapping vulnerabilities as they encounter a system that overlooks them. Despite these struggles, Miriam continues to organize in her community, working daily to build opportunities for Black liberation and bring repair to the racial inequities that exist across all of our systems.
Miriam started her fight for racial equity after equity after graduating from Seaside High School as a disabled student without having been taught to read or write or understand written language. This formative, institutional betrayal inspired her future efforts to ensure that her children, grandchildren and all children will inherit a world that honors their lives and respect their humanity. As the primary caregiver for multiple children with special needs, she sees firsthand how important it is that no child be left behind.
Miriam’s most recent work centers around the Black Lives Matter movement, and has been focused on public safety ad community care work carried out through NoLack Inc and her co-founded initiative, Pause the Calls. Pause the Calls is a public safety initiative supported by 831 Action Teams, Miriam’s organic, Black-led, grassroots organization. The Pause the Calls initiative is a more excellent way to reduce harm among Black people and people of color in our community. It advocates for reduced police presence in our communities in an effort to save the lives of our Black children and community members who face this threat every day.
Pause the Calls holds the idea that non-violent disputes and issues do not require police involvement...
|
|
Darryl Choates launches
"Deja Blues in the Schools" fundraiser.
Darryl Choates originally got the idea from Billy DeBerry, when they were both working on the Blues Festival. At that time, they launched "Blues in the Schools" which taught school kids about music and offered scholarships to help buy instruments for underprivileged children. Now that Choates has opened up his restaurant/bar/blues-comedy club Deja Blue, he has decided to pick up where he left off with the Blues Festival.
According to Choates' Facebook page: All proceeds assist middle and high school music inclined students in purchasing instruments, and to advance to the next level of music learning. Yearly we will give scholarships to help some low income youth with an opportunity to move higher in education thru music, blues or jazz.
To donate, Go to Facebook page:
|
|
In the Spotlight:
Darryl Choates
The local businessman also has the distinction of the being the longest serving ELECTED official in the City of Seaside.
From interview of Darryl Choates by Steven Goings
Choates, a graduate of Seaside High School, was 27 when he first ran for office at a time when younger people really didn't have much of a voice in the community. As Choates tells the story, in the late '80's, he was involved in Pony Baseball. Choates led efforts to fund-raise -- including a $5,000 loan from the City of Seaside -- in order to pay expenses for the team's trip to be part of the sport's World Series in Tacoma, Washington. His team came in second place -- something unheard of from a team coming from such a small area as the City of Seaside.
Upon returning, a group of local community members approached young Darryl saying, "Darryl, you are probably the one young person we would love to see run for office." So he did.
As it turns out, he was the highest vote-getter in his first election! He won 4 consecutive four year terms starting in 1990, making him the longest serving elected Seaside official. (Former Mayor the late Ralph Rubio also served 16 years but was originally appointed -- not elected -- to the Seaside City Council).
It helped that Darryl was so well known for his work in the grocery business. By 1990, he had already been in grocery business for 10 years, having been hired right out of high school. He excelled in every store he worked at quickly climbing from bagger to manager. He started at Super Save before moving over to Seaside Market.
"I just learned everything. And one day, [2001] the opportunity came up about the Ft. Ord property [now Ord Market] and I started asking questions. In fact, I went over there and saw that the building was open, so I went and bought some locks and I locked it myself! Because I didn't want anybody to damage anything in side it!" Ultimately, Choates purchased the property and opened up Ord Market, which he still owns and operates.
In 2003, tragedy struck: his wife died and Choates was left to raise their two children (5 and 6 years-old) as a single father. Choates hired a nanny to help him with the kids for about seven or eight years until they were old enough to take care of themselves. He now has four adult children.
One of the things that made Ord Market so successful, was the relationship that Darryl developed with the students of CSU Monterey Bay. His prices were often cheaper than what they had to pay on campus in addition to which he often ran specials specifically for the students.
Community Involvement
Darryl Choates was also an early financial supporter of the grassroots efforts of students of CSUMB to put on a Black Graduation Ceremony committing $1,000 each year to improve the celebration. In appreciation for his efforts, Black Students United, made Councilman Choates an honorary member of the student organization!
In addition to his work as a city councilman and store owner, Choates was very involved in community, serving in various capacities in over a dozen non-profit board of directors and committees, including the Blues Festival and the Boys and Girls Club. Since retiring from politics in 2006, Choates has paired down his involvement. He is currently the president of Del Monte Manor and is coordinating its renovation.
He was also instrumental in renovating the Retired Men's Social Club (RMSC) after joining the club and being elected as its business manager. He oversaw major physical improvements (contributing some of his personal funds in the process), brought in comedy acts, and helped the club transition from a social club (501 (c) 7) to non-profit (501 (c) 3) with the new name Recognizing Military Service Club.
Shortly after completing his project at the RMSC, in February 2020, Choates opened up a new business, the bar-restaurant/blues, jazz and comedy club, Deja Blue. It is an absolutely magnificent place at 500 Broadway near the corner of Del Monte Blvd.
Unfortunately, the club opened up just a month before the COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders hit Monterey County. Nevertheless, the club persevered and continued to offer curb side pickup from its restaurant menu.
Presently, the club is open Wed - Sun and has implemented various social distancing and mask wearing policies to make it as safe as humanly possible. Every Saturday, Deja Blues has live entertainment and the club has recently opened up an outdoor patio area.
"I think we are doing well, I am very pleased with the place. It's coming along."
Yes it is!
|
|
Truth Be Told! with Dirrick Willams
I Hope You're Well and Safe...
Hey,
Its Dirrick Williams. I hope you are safe, healthy, and going through this difficult time with a great deal of peace and hope. This is a challenging time we’re facing, and I sincerely hope you make it through this and come away stronger and better from having to endure this situation.
I would also like to say I’ve been very busy recording videos and podcasts for my newest venture, Tok 2 Me tv, and would like to invite you to visit my sites where you can (at no charge) watch and download inspirational weekly videos and podcasts. Watch the videos when you can, download and hear the podcast when you want.
I am asking every friend to read and forward the proposal I've written called "Banner of Reconciliation." This is very important, and perhaps maybe the first global and lasting impression towards racial reconciliation our government has ever made. Seriously, I would like it if each of you would read the proposal, sign the petition, and forward both links to everyone you know. You can read the proposal here.
--Dirrick
Tok2Me:
Video & Podcasts @
Podcast only:
Video only:
Petition:
|
|
Fall 2020 Historically Black Virtual Church Tour...
The tour kicked off on Sept 20th at Greater Victory Temple. Here is a link to the Sunday Service Recording. Next week we visit Friendship Baptist Church...
Sun Sept 27, 10:45 AM
Friendship Baptist Church
Ways to attend Sunday's Service:
-
Go to Friendship Baptist Church Facebook page where the service will be broadcast live
-
To join the Historically Black Church Tour Watch Party, join the Monterey Bay Black Folks Calendar Facebook group and login before 10:45 am. All members will receive a watch party notification through Facebook.
-
You can see previous sermons on the Friendship Baptist Church website
|
|
In the Spotlight:
Friendship Baptist Church
Church Motto:
Committed to Worship the Lord in Spirit -- John 4:24
WHO WE ARE
The first priority of Friendship Baptist Church takes its inspiration from Proverbs 11:30 which says
"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise."
Many faces, one faith. We are a diverse group of believers – bankers, community leaders, City, County and State workers, musicians, social workers, educators, public servants, business owners, parents – united by our shared faith in God.
For the past 27 years God has moved in mighty ways. The Friendship Baptist Church Seaside has been spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ for 75 years on the Monterey Peninsula. We are small but faithful group that demonstrates the love of Jesus in every area of Ministry.
Our stated goal is to save the lost, strengthen the saved and restore the backslider.
|
|
In the Spotlight:
Rev. Anthony Dunham
Rev. Dr. Anthony D. Dunham I has been endowed with a vision that empowers him to tell God’s people what “thus saith the Lord” without fear of losing popularity. He has demonstrated a burning passion to be committed to the call and to the cause of the Christ. His passion for God is evidenced by his desire to minister to the Body of Christ, admonishing the Body to draw nearer to the Master by personally dedicating their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Working in the Ministry has always been a great part of his life. He served in the capacity of Deacon for six years prior to being called into the ministry, Assistant to the Chairman of Deacons, Sunday School Teacher, Teacher for B.T.U., Teacher for Vacation Bible School and the Choir Director.
Pastor Dunham received his calling into the ministry by the Lord in 1965 at the tender age of ten years old in his parent’s home on 1562 Julian Street in Stockton, California. He often speaks about his call, as he was asleep on the bottom bunk of his two bunk bed room in their small family home. He says that he can recall how often he heard the voice of the Lord in his heart, impressing upon him the urgency to declare the Gospel. It was then and there that he felt the urge to prepare himself for the work of the ministry. It wasn’t until November 1, 1986 he publicly professed his call and obeyed the Master’s bidding. Licensed to preach the Gospel in 1986 at the God's Throne Missionary Baptist Church, Stockton, CA, and then ordained in 1988 by the Stockton Baptist Ministerial Alliance.
|
|
NAACP Vs.
Betsy Devos
From Janette McCarthy-Wallace
NAACP, Interim General Counsel:
The coronavirus pandemic focused the nation’s attention on the essential role public schools play in the lives of families and communities. It’s also exposed the severe racial inequalities that continue to plague our education system and disadvantage students of color.
But rather than addressing these problems, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, fully supported and endorsed by the Trump Administration, took action to exploit the pandemic and promote her personal agenda of funneling taxpayer dollars to private schools and taking resources away from the schools and the students who need it most.
We weren’t just going to standby and watch it happen. That’s why we sued on behalf of students of color across the nation – and we WON!
We didn’t stop with Betsy DeVos...
NAACP Vs.
Ron DeSantis
We also sued Governor DeSantis in Florida for trying to force schools to reopen in August – endangering teachers and students alike. The court found that DeSantis arbitrarily prioritized reopening schools statewide over the safety and the advice of health experts.
|
|
Recruiting Teachers of Color for MPUSD!
Ann Jealous has been in conversation with MPUSD Superintendent PK Diffenbaugh about the need to bring in more Black and teachers of color to Monterey K-12 schools, and asked for our help in getting word out to possible candidates for the Alder Teacher Residency program they are offering.
Adler Teacher Residency is recruiting now for the 2021-2022 school year. Application deadline Nov. 9, 2020.
$15,000 living stipend
$10,000 tuition reimbursement for math, science, and SPED candidates
Year-long apprenticeship with Mentor Teacher
Master's Degree and Credential in one-year
Priority hiring for full-time position at MPUSD
Requirements: BA completed by June 2021; 3.0 GPA preferred; eligible to work in US
|
|
Voter Registration at the Recognizing Military Service Center
Weekly: Wed-Sat from 3 to 6 PM
Located at 2087 Del Monte Blvd., Seaside
Long time members, Mary Davis and Yvonne Kirkland will be on hand to register voters at the RMSC. At the same time, Michelle's Soul Food Kitchen is available on-site for take out.
If you are interested in volunteering for the Voter Registration Drive, contact Mary Davis at Mary.Davis0406@gmail.com
|
|
The newly created Center for Black Student Success announces its inaugural programming.
Fall 2020 Artists
October 1, 2020
6:00pm — 7:30pm
The Center for Black Student Success invites you to experience Kiazi Malonga performing traditional drum rhythms from the Congo and in conversation with HCOM Professor Umi Vaughan about the role of drumming in African Diaspora cultures.
(Zoom Link has not yet been provided)
Cultural Programming
The Center for Black Student Success brings relevant cultural programming to campus by welcoming authors, artists, scholars, and performers from throughout the African Diaspora to enrich the CSUMB experience with concerts, workshops, exhibits focused on engaging and inspiring Black students.
Upcoming events include:
-
Keenan Norris: October 8, 2020 Time: 6-7:30pm
-
Black finances Matter with Byb Bibene: October 22, 2020, Time: 6-7:30 pm
-
Chef/Musician/Researcher: Roberto Perez (URBAN PILÓN) November 12, 2020, Time: 6-7:30 pm
-
Nate Cameron: December 3, 2020, Time: 6-7:30 pm
|
|
The Art of Storytelling: Black Joy
Thu, Sept 24,
5:30–6:45 pm
With HCOM Professor Daniel Summerhill
California Humanities & Chapter 510 Present "Black Joy," an evening of performance and conversation moderated by writer and CSUMB Professor of Poetry/Social Action and Composition Studies Daniel B Summerhill. He will be in conversation with two young writers from the Black Joy anthology, Samuel Getachew (former Oakland Youth Poet Laureate) and Elijah Hynson alongside their poet mentors. Featuring performances by award-winning writers Tongo Eisen-Martin, Darius Simpson, and Vernon Keeve III.
Black Joy: An Anthology of Black Boy Poems is an unapologetic, unrestrained, and defiant celebration of culture, friendship, and community. This compilation of poems by black boys from Oakland is an elaborate and heartwarming guide through the intricacies of what it means to be young, black, and undoubtedly alive in today’s day and age.The Black Joy creative writing and publishing program was organized by Chapter 510 in partnership with Nomadic Press. Chapter 510 is a made-in-Oakland youth creative writing, publishing, and bookmaking center dedicated to supporting all Oakland youth to write with confidence and joy. This project is supported by a Humanities for All Quick Grant. Capacity is limited.
For accessibility accommodations please contact John Nguyen-Yap at least two days before the event.
|
|
Upcoming
Community Event:
|
|
The Racial Pandemic Series -- Part I
Session 2 of 4.
Uncovering Systemic Racism Involving Criminal justice & Pathways to Help Create Change
Thursday, Sept 24, 2020
10:00am-11:00am
Follow this link for detailed DESCRIPTIONS about all 4 sessions
The Racial Pandemic Series grew out of LaVerne McLeod’s previous Bridge Building to Equity workshops. Being compelled in the midst of the viral pandemic to continue with this social justice work after the public execution of George Floyd, McLeod formulated a series of social justice webinars. The purpose of these webinars is to help heal and take non-violent action to create positive changes.
|
|
Upcoming
NATIONAL Events:
|
|
111 NAACP Virtual National Convention
The annual convention of the NAACP shall establish policies and programs of action for the ensuing year. This week is comprised of regional and youth meetings.
Schedule
WEEK TWO
Monday, Sept 21
Tuesday, Sept 22
Wednesday, Sept 23
Thursday, Sept 24
Special Event TBA
Friday, Sept 25
Special Event TBA
Saturday, Sept 26
|
|
About the above "Dismantling Inequities and Injustices in
Health Care and Public Health"
I recognize some of the copy above may be too small or blurry to read. The presenters are Dr. RaJade M. Berry-James, Cynthia Golembeski, Dr. Carla J. Sampson, and from Cal State Monterey Bay, our very own Dr. Vanessa Lopez-Littleton.
Wed Sept 30, 10 to 11:30 Pacific Time
|
|
Black Boys Documentary
Free on Peacock:
https://www.peacocktv.com/black-boys
lluminating the full spectrum of Black male humanity in America through an intimate, intergenerational conversation at the intersection of sports, education and criminal justice.
|
|
Latinx / Hispanic Heritage Month Afro-Latino Profile Link
Mariah Carey
Click Here to continue reading Mariah Carey's Wikipedia page.
|
|
Useful Links:
-
Here is something the Monterey County Branch NAACP is working on. You can send your entries directly to lbogene@yahoo.com
- Check out the list and add your bio and photo to it.
- We all know the so-called criminal justice system treats our folks much more harshly than others, sometimes just having community members show up at court can make a difference in how things turn out.
- Check it out or add your favorite to the list
- With so few African Americans working in our K-12 and higher education systems, our kids have too few opportunities to see professionals and role models who look like them. We are looking for Black community members and professionals who can be called on to be occasional guest speakers in local classrooms.
Black Voices and Photo Portrait Project
-
Local photographer Nic Coury has launched this Black Portrait Project and looking for subjects. If interested in posing for a professional picture message him on Facebook or send me (africanquazar@gmail.com) your contact info for me to forward.
- Just the basic public contact and position info
- Click on this google document to share your thoughts about what is needed in the Black community. We will prioritize them for further action.
- Check out the current list of churches, update existing entries or add new ones.
|
|
Monterey Bay Black Folks Weekly Event Calendar
Submit to AfricanQuazar@gmail.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
