Vallejo juneteenth silver legacy celebration souvenir journal

“On Their Shoulders We Stand” Saturday, June 15, 2013 11 a.m.—6 p.m.

Martin Luther King Jr. Park, Vallejo CA

Behind JFK Library, 505 Santa Clara Street, Downtown Vallejo Sponsored by African American Family Reunion Committee A 501 (c) (3) Non-Profit Organization

Wiggins-Knipp FUNERAL HOME

524 CAPITOL STREET • VALLEJO, CA 94590 (707) 642-4459 (PH) • LICENSE #353

MARK ALEXANDER, FUNERAL DIRECTOR LICENSE #FDR1385

Psalm 124:1...“If it had not been for the Lord on our side”.

We are excited to join in with the City of Vallejo as we celebrate this historic day of freedom and hope of our ancestors.

African American Family Reunion Committee P.O. Box 5196 Vallejo, CA 94591 (707) 322.5748 www.vallejojuneteenth.com

June 15, 2013

Greetings, Friends and Visitors: On behalf of the African American Family Reunion Committee, welcome to Vallejo’s 25th Annual Juneteenth Celebration!

We want to thank all of our sponsors, volunteers and supporters for their help making this Silver Anniversary a memorable occasion.

We are proud to join with other cities and communities across this great nation in commemorating Juneteenth, and the 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, an unforgettable event in this country’s history that paved the way for African American freedom from slavery in the United States.

We dedicate this celebration in memory and grateful appreciation for the courageous men and women who walked before us, and those who are among us yet today for their vision, leadership and perseverance in making our nation, state, communities and neighborhoods better places to live, serve and thrive. For it is on their shoulders we stand today and are able to have better access to health care, quality education, and entrepreneurial opportunities.

We hope you will fully experience, enjoy and value this awesome day of jubilation as a day that must always be celebrated in our community for generations to come.

Sincerely,

Angela Wilson Jones President

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Vallejo Juneteenth Silver Legacy Award

Juneteenth Entertainment Line-Up* 11:00 a.m.

Vendors and Exhibitors Open

11:45 a.m.

On-stage entertainment begins with Emcee Erika Blue 89.5 FM KCZT Negro National Anthem

12 Noon

Greetings by Mayor Osby Davis Presentations by Special Dignitaries

12:25 p.m.

Performance by Pop R&B singer Thai Nicole

12:50 p.m.

Best of Solano County Baking Contest Introduction of Judges

1 p.m.

Liturgical dance performance by Chondra Renee & Simply Classic Dance Company

1:20 p.m.

Performance by R&B singer Tracy Cruz

1:45 p.m.

Performance by Trilogy Soul Line Dancers

2:05 p.m.

Performance by Jazz& Blues group Hot Ice featuring Naomi Smith Best of Solano County Baking Contest Winners announced

2:35 p.m.

3:05 p.m.

Performance by Darrell Edwards Heavy Weather Band

3:45 p.m.

Performance by Rescue Mission COGIC Choir

4:00 p.m.

Silver Legacy Award Presentations

4:30 p.m.

Performance by R&B singer Lovell Crumby

5 p.m.

Performance by Motown Sound The Midnite Band Featuring Matt Applin

6 p.m.

Event closes

*Subject to change.

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Vallejo Juneteenth Silver Legacy Award

2013 Vendors & Exhibitors* Health Exhibitors

Information Exhibitors

Kaiser Permanente La Clinica de la Raza Sutter Health Solano Coalition for Better Health Alpha Pregnancy Resource Center Solano County Public Health HIV Health Education Council: Network for a Healthy California African American Campaign Planned Parenthood Shasta Pacific Solano County Health & Nutrition Solano County Black Infant Health Program Baby First Solano Solano County Disability Prevention Program

Vallejo Educators Association Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Progressive Baptist Missionary Education District Association Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Fighting Back Partnership City of Vallejo ValCORE Recycling Solano County JFK Library Parents By Choice SolTrans American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter xfinity Comcast Shelia Tyson Insurance & Retirement Consulting Kennon Realty, Inc. Michael’s Transportation Service Soaring Eagles Taekwondo Academy Hinton Barber College Greater Vallejo Jack & Jill of America

Education Exhibitors Vallejo City Unified School District Solano Community College WIT Academy

Craft Vendors

Food Vendors

Panache Ebbydan African Direct OMK Family Affair Traci Lynn Fashion Jewelry Jamaal’s Delightful Fragrances TressCure Bella Naturals Bcass Boutique Diva Pro Defense Protection AMC Dreams Wood & Words Tibet Horizon Body Essence

Meyers Fine Food CJ’s BBQ & Fish Save Our Youth Fitness For Life Italian Ice Rainbow Snow Pam’s Fish & BBQ Pauli Ice Cream The Dungeness Crab Dianna’s Delectable Desserts Just Like Mama’s

*Subject to change.

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Vallejo Juneteenth Silver Legacy Award

Akilah Tutt—Individual (Adult) Akilah Tutt, Fairfield dancer and choreographer, has lent her talents to praising God through dance and to reaching out to young people in her community.

The 2006 Clark Atlanta University graduate, started dancing when she was eightyears-old. This love of dancing led her to explore a number of dance genres, including jazz, hip hop, lyrical and street dance. In 2007, Tutt started using dance as a means to communicate and praise the Lord. She serves as the director of the Praise Dance Ministry of St. Stephen Christian Episcopal Methodist Church in Fairfield. Her praise dance ministry has moved beyond church walls; In Fairfield she is known to perform not only alone but with a group of equally dedicated and talented young women.

Among her other church duties, Tutt serves as the coordinator of the Rosie T. Hollis children's group. As coordinator, she helps to nurtures a cross-cultural group of children to participate in church events.

Outside of church, Tutt is an avid runner and has completed a half marathon. Her future plans include running a full marathon "for the Lord." Tutt serves as a positive role model for young people and she is determined to enhance the quality of each and every person who may cross her path. In her own words: "People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care."

Patrice Lewis—Individual (age 18-25) Patrice Lewis attended Vallejo schools and was raised by the Vallejo community.

After college she immersed herself in her church by participating in the choir and also church activities.

She joined Youth Partnership and then joined Vallejo Together. Through her commitment and proven leadership skills, Patrice became one of the Directors for Youth Expo & Parent Summit in 2012 and 2013 and also the Director for Unity Day 2012 and the upcoming Unity Day 2013.

In 2012, in her quest for justice and equality for Colored people, Patrice joined the NAACP Vallejo Branch. She is now the acting Secretary and is presently very vocal in advocating for the needs of the youth in preventing STDs at the County level.

In 2013 Patrice attended a six-week class for the Vallejo Citizen Emergency Response Team so that she can be one of the first volunteer responders to assist Vallejo citizens in catastrophes.

Patrice worked tirelessly to organize the Vallejo Together Youth Expo & Parent Summit. In fact, when

there were no donors to sponsor the lunch for all attendees in 2012, Patrice, who worked at Ross, volunteered to donate her salary to pay for the food for 800 students and adults. She did not complain or worry as she thought it was her duty to provide for the youth.

In 2012 - 2013, Patrice partnered with the City of Vallejo and the Vallejo Police Department to be a Facilitator for the Building Relationships Series where the goal is to build better relationships between the VPD and the community. Her input, presence as a young adult and her calm persona was much needed at the series events.

Last year, she spent her Christmas holiday feeding the homeless. She plans to get her Master’s and Doctorate so she can come back and guide her generation into knowing who they are - the descendants of Kings and Queens - and the path they should take.

Seeing Patrice blossom and in action is a sight to behold. She speaks the language of the young and respects the generations that paved the way. Patrice has often expressed her deep love for Vallejo and how she plans to stay and make a difference for life.

It’s clear that she's off to a wonderful start.

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Vallejo Juneteenth Silver Legacy Award

Cattie “Mama Soul” McCarver Business Person

For nearly 50 years, Cattie "Mama Soul" McCarver, owner of Vallejo's House of Soul restaurant, has served our community.

The restaurant grew out of a vision McCarver had on the day Dr. Martin Luther king Jr., was assassinated on April 4, 1968.

With the slaying of the beloved civil-rights leader, McCarver felt she needed to give back to her community.

"I wanted to give something Southern to Vallejo," she explained.

McCarver, a native of Phenix City, Ala., moved to Vallejo in 1959. Like many African Americans who left the south during that period, McCarver was in search of a better life. Once settled in Vallejo McCarver worked a number of jobs, including working as a cook and a housekeeper.

By the end of 1968 - and with the help and blessing of family members - McCarver and her husband, James, launched the House of Soul, then located on Broadway Street.

The restaurant quickly became a meeting spot - a community hub of sorts - where residents could not only enjoy a good home-cooked meal, but fellowship as well. In addition to opening up the restaurant for community meetings, for many years McCarver hosted a yearly Black History dinner and program that highlighted local African American achievements.

Since then the restaurant has moved locations - but the community vibe - thanks to McCarver - has stayed intact. Today, the House of Soul restaurant is one of the oldest operated African American businesses in Vallejo.

Michael Brown, Michael’s Transportation Corporate For-Profit

Providing school bus transportation, charter bus rentals, shuttles, and limousine services to the greater Bay Area since 1982 Serving public and private schools, government agencies, businesses, nonprofit groups of all kinds, and individuals Employee owned since 2009 Safety and world-class customer service are our goals Better Business Bureau A+ rating 100+ “green” vehicle fleet includes seat-belt equipped buses One of the only independent, state-certified driver training programs in California Only private school bus training center in the Bay Area U.S. Coast Guard 2010 exceptional Contractor Performance Assessment Report (CPAR) rating Over 1,000 graduates from MTS professional driver academy

Raising the Standard 707.643.2099 - Direct | 707.643.1906 - FAX www.bustransportation.com | information@bustransportation.com Headquarters | 140 Yolano Drive, Vallejo, CA 94589 7

Vallejo Juneteenth Silver Legacy Award She also hosted the TV show" Our Voices" on Vallejo's local access channel.

A former board member of the Board of Directors of the National Juneteenth Lineage Society (1995-2005), and former Chair of Vallejo’s Juneteenth Celebration Reunion Committee (1992-2005), Deborah was instrumental in the effort, along with others, to keep Vallejo's event alive and thriving for 13 years.

Community diversity was promoted and the challenges that African American families faced in education, health, family life, and employment were addressed by various vendors.

Additionally, she played a role in bringing various community groups together as partners to sponsor the annual event and many continue to support the celebration.

It is obvious from her accolades and volunteer work through the years that her heart and passion continue to be in areas that Vallejo Juneteenth provides and promotes once a year.

Deborah Dickson—Through the Years Deborah Dickson has been a volunteer in the community as evidenced by the numerous awards she has received for her community service through the years.

Included among them are her work with the Continentals of Omega Boys & Girls Club for over 30 years; Board member and grant writer for the Betty Frank Lunch Program; recipient of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Theta Pi Chapter Citizen of the Year 2001 Award; past member of Solano County Arts Council; member of the Solano County Task Force on Healthy Living; and current chair of the School Site Council at Vallejo High School since 2009.

Deborah is an advocate for seniors as evidenced by her successful effort initiating a Proclamation from the City of Vallejo designating May 19, 1999 as Take Action Day for the Arthritis Foundation;

Diana Davis—Through the Years Even as a child, Diana Davis was always the first one to speak up or step up to be involved in something. “I was that kid who immediately put my hand up in class and sometimes it would be up so long that I had to prop it up with my other hand until my name was called.”

Helping others and giving her best effort have always been Davis’ nature. So it stands to reason that after being a vendor at a Juneteenth Celebration, she knew she could use her experience to make the event even better. So she joined the planning committee serving as a vendor coordinator and stayed with it for more than a decade.

Although the Juneteenth Celebration struggled through some lean years, Davis hopes there will always be volunteers willing to keep it going.

“Vallejo’s Juneteenth is the one thing that we look forward to and also use as a celebration because of what it represents—African American freedom from slavery and also family unity.”

Davis says she truly believes it takes a village and Juneteenth is one of the events that keeps the family together, keeps the village together.

“Everybody is so busy now and the celebration gives us a chance to be together and talk about the good times, to see children and grand children.”

But Davis is never too busy to give back, spending much of her time working with seniors volunteering with the Area Agency on Aging and at Merrill Gardens senior living community.

“To whom much is given much is required, says Davis, “and I just go wherever I’m needed.”

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Vallejo Juneteenth Silver Legacy Award

Floyd Terrace Community Reunion Community Advocate

Robert George Jones and his friends launched the Floyd Terrace "Back in the Day" community reunion seventeen years ago. They began organizing massive reunions, right back on their old stomping grounds, now known as Richardson Park. The purpose as quoted by Jones was, "We're trying to send a strong message out to the city and to youngsters that you can get together in large numbers and have fun without problems. And that's what we did."

The annual event has served as a historic touchstone for Vallejo's African American community, a reminder of Vallejo's rich war housing history. The largely African American families that lived in Floyd Terrace - it was built in the early 1940s - were part of Vallejo's Great Migration. While the 1,000 unit housing complex is long gone - it was ordered closed and demolished in the 1960s - the reunion committee has worked to make sure our city has not forgotten a big part of its African American history.

The original organizers are Robert George Jones, Ronald Hollins, Michael Abara, Tyrone Porter, Michael Plump, George McFarland, Ronald Griffin and Cary Diggs. Now deceased are Freddie Smith, Billy Rae Simmons and George Clark. Robert and crew turned over the reins for organizing the event to a new committee two years ago (Cherubim Speaks, Brenda Calhoun, Irma Anderson, Eileen Randall and Ernest Myers) but are still easily able to recall what makes their joint history worth remembering.

History plays a huge role in a community's quality of life. Organizing this annual event, the Floyd Terrace Community Reunion Committee has helped the city and former Floyd Terrace residents stay connected with their family memories and history and legacy. The reunion is now held at Blue Rock Springs to better accommodate the large crowd. Past and present committee members pictured: Ronnie Griffin, Tyrone Porter, Michael Abara, Robert Jones, George McFarland, Cherubim Speaks and Ronnie Hollins.

Sharon McGriff-Payne—Community Advocate For the better part of the past decade, Sharon McGriff-Payne has been in search of the early African American presence in California's North Bay Area.

McGriff-Payne's quest to unearth pioneer African American history has resulted in two books since 2009: John Grider's Century - African Americans in Solano, Napa and Sonoma Counties from 1845 to 1925 and African Americans in Vallejo.

"African Americans played significant roles in the making of the North Bay Area in the 19th and early 20th centuries. I want to find out all I can about that history," said McGriff-Payne, a longtime Vallejo resident.

McGriff-Payne's research has unearthed information on John Grider, an African American and former slave who was present at the Bear Flag Revolt of 1845 in Sonoma County. The Bear Flag

Revolt was one of the events that led to California statehood in 1850.

In her search, McGriff-Payne has discovered documentation of the early presence of slavery in California's North Bay, including an 1855 freedom paper that set Benicia resident Adam Willis free.

Prior to retirement a few years ago, McGriff-Payne worked as a staff writer for a number of newspapers in California, New York and Florida. She continues to search for North Bay Area African American history and has started her third book on the subject.

"My quest," McGriff-Payne says, "is to help tell the real story of North Bay Area history and that real history includes African Americans."

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Vallejo Juneteenth Silver Legacy Award

Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Rev. Dante R. Quick, Senior Pastor

A pillar of the Vallejo Community, Friendship Missionary Baptist Church is known for its spiritual and financial generosity, aggressive leadership and efforts to enhance the quality of life for all people.

Aside from financial assistance, several ministries assist with the community’s needs including the Food Pantry Ministry, Seniors’ Ministry, and Healthy & Wellness Ministry.

FMBC leverages a variety of partnerships with organizations to broaden its reach in serving community. The Annual Hallelujah Festival on October 31 attracts over 800 men, women and children providing a safe alternative in the neighborhood. The church has also organized block parties and health fairs, and partnered with Kaiser Foundation Hospital in hosting a community baby shower.

FMBC is currently working to make an impressionable mark on the community with the establishment of its new Community Development Corporation.

KYLES TEMPLE AME ZION CHURCH Rev. David Miller, Pastor

Kyles Temple AME Zion Church has risen from the ashes. Eight years after a fire destroyed the church building at 2813 Sonoma Boulevard in 2001, the congregation finally found a new home at 902 Florida Avenue.

Since then, under the leadership of Pastor David Miller, Kyles Temple is making good on his vow that it would be a church for the community, not just in the community.

It has been a beacon of love and light for families in need providing food, clothing, and personal grooming items, and supporting opportunities for access to information that helps residents make healthy nutritional choices.

Twice each month on the second and fourth Saturday, dozens and dozens of people sit down for a free pancake breakfast at the church. Afterwards, they browse the Clothing Closet where they find gently used items donated by church members and residents. Free lunches are also served or packed up and ready for take out.

The church has also opened its doors to welcome students in the Vallejo School District's summer lunch program in which any child up to 18 could eat for free during the week.

And for the past couple of years, the church has hosted a giveaway of backpacks chock full of donated school supplies.

This year, Kyles Temple was awarded $30,000 from a portion of the City of Vallejo's 2011 sales tax hike allocated for community-requested projects.

The church will use the money to create one of 10 community gardens around Vallejo which will be seeded and maintained by residents. The harvest will be shared with those in need.

The site for the new community garden? What better place than the church’s former location on Sonoma Boulevard.

The project is expected to break ground in July.

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Vallejo Juneteenth Silver Legacy Award

Corporate Non–Profit

Kaiser Permanente's mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve.

We enhance the well-being of people in the communities we serve through a not-for-profit commitment to compassion and excellence in health care services.

Vallejo Juneteenth Silver Legacy Award

Rev. David C. Isom—Community Advocate Fairfield resident, Rev. David C. Isom, has dedicated his life to serving his community.

Pastor of St. Stephen Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Fairfield since 2007, Rev. Isom has served on the Fairfield-Suisun School District's governing board since 2010. In serving on that board, Rev. has sought bridge the digital divide, address learning barriers and foster more parental/guardian and community involvement in the Fairfield school district.

Rev. Isom has served on various city and county boards and committees, including the Fairfield Police Department Citizens Review Board and as an evaluator for the Fairfield Police Department promotions exam.

Over the past few years, Rev. Isom has created programs aimed at addressing domestic violence. He is a member of the Solano County Strategic Planning Committee for the implementation of a Domestic Violence Coordinated Community Response facility. That committee is aimed at addressing the needs of victims of domestic and sexual assault. Rev. Isom is also active in the Faith Partners Against Crime, a group of local pastors who have visited and prayed at sites where violent tragedies have occurred.

In an ongoing effort to help bridge generational and cultural gaps in Fairfield, Rev. Isom has organized community events to reach young people through positive messages. One of those event spanned generations and included musicians and rappers. "We want them to know how valuable they are to the community...that their voice is significant."

Rev. Dr. M.D. Slade— Community Advocate Rev. Dr. M.D. Slade has been actively involved in the Vallejo community for over 32 years upon his arrival to Vallejo and election as Senior Pastor of the Good Samaritan Missionary Baptist Church at 407 Capitol Street. He has served as President of the North Bay Ministers Alliance where he formerly chaired/organized the Vallejo Community’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. March/parade and rally. He is also an active supporter of Mayor Davis’ Annual Prayer Breakfast and a regular fixture on campus at various Vallejo City Unified School District schools as an and advocate for our youth including supporting the Willie B. Adkins Scholars Program and sponsoring the Marvin Delaney Slade Scholarship for qualifying high school and college graduates.

Rev. Slade is very passionate about a healthy

neighborhood and community.

Under his leadership, Good Samaritan has for the past 27 years sponsored a weekly community emergency food program, monthly USDA food distribution program and clothes giveaway, a community (citywide) Thanksgiving Dinner, Christmas/Holiday Food & Toys Giveaway, and annually supports the Christian Help center.

Rev. Slade’s dedicated, untiring and ongoing efforts in the downtown neighborhood and entire city of Vallejo have made a positive difference in the quality of life for the citizens of Vallejo.

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Vallejo Juneteenth Silver Legacy Award

Robert C. Brown, Sr. Through the Years (Posthumous)

For more than half a century, the late Robert C. Brown, Sr. owned and operated a Vallejo icon - Brown's Jewelers.

A native of Meridian, Miss., Brown moved to Vallejo in 1948. Known for his professionalism and expertise in the area of jewelry repair and retail, Brown helped knock down racial barriers that had hindered many would be African American business owners in downtown Vallejo from the 1950s on.

Following his graduation from horology - watchmaking - school in Oakland in 1950, Brown went about the business of honing his craft. In 1977, he and his wife, Ranola, launched their jewelry store at 316 Georgia Street. Not only was Brown known for being an active part of the Vallejo downtown community, he worked with a number of city-wide organizations. Brown was considered a mentor and a role model to many. Although Brown passed away on December 9, 2010, he left sound advice for all those following in his footsteps. "Know your field as good or better than everyone else, don't be afraid to get out there with the best and do it."

Sargent Johnson, Sr. Through the Years (Posthumous)

them from owning a business, he refused to accept limitations as he opened his own business, DeLuxe Shoe Service in the 1950s. Deluxe Shoe Service is not only a corner stone African American business in downtown Vallejo, but is one of the remaining downtown Vallejo businesses.

He was politically astute and involved in ensuring that political and economic opportunities were available to people of color. He could always be seen at political and business functions speaking his mind, opposing political and economic discrimination and expressing his limitless vision for a vibrant and successful Vallejo with a thriving downtown. He believed in being part of the solution; he therefore involved himself in community affairs and local government by becoming an active member and participant in the Firma Lodge, Toastmasters club, Lions Club and the City of Vallejo Economic Development Commission.

He sponsored Little League and Babe Ruth Baseball Teams through the years, giving back to the community. He mentored young business owners and would be business owners.

He will be remembered for his steadfast willingness and courage to oppose limitations and discrimination especially in business in the Vallejo community.

Mr. Johnson was born on November 2, 1922, in Oakvale, Mississippi and was educated in Laurel, Mississippi’s public schools.

As a child he worked with his dad at the family shoe repair shop and became an expert and repairing shoes.

He had aspirations of becoming a dentist but he was not able to pursue his career goal because of the need to make a living for himself. He married the love of his life, Christine Carpenter. He was a wise and resourceful man who changed his trade during World War II to a sheet metal worker and moved the family to the State of Washington where he was able to secure employment at the naval shipyard until the war ended. Mr. Johnson then moved his family to Vallejo, California and became proud parents of four children. He resumed his trade in the shoe repair business by going to work at Belton’s Shoe Repair. He was never satisfied working for someone else but was determined to control his own employment future.

Although the 1950s was a time when most African Americans were only wage earners, as discrimination was a very real obstacle preventing 13

Vallejo Juneteenth Silver Legacy Award

Sue King—Community Advocate Longtime Vallejo volunteer, Sue King's commitment to Vallejo epitomizes the term, "community service."

Her long and dedicated devotion to Vallejo has included the chairing of the first Juneteeth celebration in 1989.

Following graduation from the University of California, Berkeley in the 1950s, King had worked for Golden State Mutual Insurance as a financial secretary. She started her professional career in social work in the 1960s.

For many years, King worked as a supervisor in the Solano County Welfare Department where she helped develop programs and resources for the elderly and disabled.

King's vast community involvement has been far-reaching. She has been an active and longtime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. As past president of the Vallejo Graduate Chapter, King has helped play a key role in the sorority’s community outreach programs, including the Women's Empowerment Conference and the Teen Workshops for Boys and Girls. King has devoted more than 50 years of service to the Vallejo section of the National Council of Negro Women. She has served for many years with the Area Agency on Aging and the South Vallejo Neighborhood Association.

King has also served on the Vallejo Planning Commission. In recent years, King was ordained as a minister and has served as an assistant minister at the Vallejo Revival Center.

Philmore Graham—Community Advocate

Philmore Graham.

The Continentals of Omega Boys and Girls Club of Vallejo. To this day, the man and the organization are synonymous.

No wonder.

It was in 1966 when Graham, with six boys he discovered playing football at a local playground, helped launch the Continentals of Omega Boys Club.

Since 1966, this enduring organization has served literally thousands of youngsters - due in large part to Graham's commitment made so many years ago.

In 1966, Graham, then a young engineer at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, had made a commitment and a plan to work with local youngsters. Graham had helped establish an Omega Psi Phi Fraternity chapter in Vallejo. As a young college graduate and engineer, Graham wanted to see other youngsters

succeed as he had done. As part of his commitment to community service, Graham devised a plan to help those six boys succeed in school and life.

Graham's plan included tutoring, life skills lessons and field trips.

Under Graham's direction, the Continentals of Omega Boys Club grew. Meetings were held at Prince Hall Masonic Lodge, Firma Lodge No. 27, 1209 Georgia Street and late at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Parish House.

In 1976, the organization moved to its present location at 555 Corcoran Drive in North Vallejo.

Thanks to Philmore Graham's vision 47 years ago, more than 500 Omega alumni have attended colleges and universities. And many more have achieved professional and vocational success thanks to the Philmore Graham legacy.

www.vallejojuneteenth.com 14

Vallejo Section National Council of Negro Women, Inc. NCNW Wishes To Congratulate

Sue King Nominee for the 2013

Juneteenth Silver Legacy Award

Vallejo Section – NCNW was organized in Vallejo over 50 years ago. Throughout the years we have been involved in various community activities including Grace Patterson Elementary School Sponsor, Sisters Network, Brothers Helping Brothers Inc.—Haitian Relief, Dr. Martin Luther King Parade/Program, 4th of July Parade, Black Family/Juneteenth, and Napa Hospital Christmas party. General Meetings are held at 1 p.m. on the second Saturday of the month at Norman King Center. For more information, please e-mail us at ncnw.vallejosection@yahoo.com.

Officers President - Sylvia Harris 1st VP - Vivian Evans 2nd VP - Dorothy Pickard Financial Secretary - Geneva Watts Treasurer - Annie Collins

Recording Secretary - Sylvia Alexander Corresponding Secretary - Evelyn King Parliamentarian - Annette Taylor Chaplain - Robbye Henderson

Congratulations to the African American Family Reunion Committee for 25 years of commemorating the observance of our rich heritage.

May we always remember that we’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the shoulders of those who blazed the trail.

God Bless You.

Mike Hammer,

Agent, Lic. #0C76293

3429 Broadway/Hwy 29, Suite C 6 American Canyon, CA 94503-1230 Bus 707-643-2185 Fax 707-643-2186

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Vallejo Juneteenth Silver Legacy Award The Solano County African Family Celebration Committee is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that works to promote the national observance of Juneteenth marking African American freedom from slavery in the United States, to celebrate positive contributions of African Americans nationally and locally, and to promote a cultural connection of the observance as an opportunity to build strong communities through access to health services and education resources.

JUNETEENTH CENTRAL COMMITTEE 2013 OFFICERS AND MEMBERS Angela Jones, President A. Marie Young, Vice-President Sandy Stowes, Secretary Rosemary Thurston, Treasurer

Members at Large Thelma Brown, Barbara Dempsey, Lynette Henley, Dolores (Ann) Johnson, Evelyn King, Douglas Longmire and Hazel Wilson.

Community Members Paula Ford

Thanks To Our 2013 Sponsors and Supporters

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Kappa Beta Omega Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Vallejo Graduate Chapter Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Vallejo-Fairfield Alumni Chapter Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Theta Pi Chapter Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Kappa Omicron Lambda Chapter The Links, Inc. Solano County Chapter Greater Vallejo Jack & Jill of America, Inc. Vallejo Educators Association | NAACP Vallejo Branch Vallejo Sister City Association

Special Thanks To All Of Our Volunteers 18

Vallejo Juneteenth Silver Legacy Award

NOTES

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Vallejo Juneteenth Silver Legacy Award

CC Sabathia

PitCCh In Foundation Corporate Non–Profit

OUR MISSION: TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF INNER CITY YOUTH In partnership with North Vallejo Little League (NVLL), the PitCCh In Foundation established the All-Star Baseball Clinic to introduce baseball to a new generation of young girls and boys ages 5 to 12. The clinic takes place every January at both Thurmon and Williams Baseball fields, which has become the annual kick off for North Vallejo Little League’s sign-up and community awareness campaigns. The event has more than tripled in size from 125 kids in the first year to 350 kids this past January. The PitCCh In Foundation All Star Baseball Clinic is officially on both the east and west coasts.

The Backpack Program first began in the Vallejo City Unified School District in Vallejo, CA, as a way to give back to the Sabathia’s home community. Since then, the program has grown to include the New York Tri State Area and public schools in the Bronx. The goal is to provide the children with everything they will need to start them off in the right direction! To date, the Foundation has given more than 10,000 backpacks to children in Vallejo and the Bronx.

Each holiday season, CC and Amber Sabathia embrace the role of playing secret Santa on both coasts. They identify special projects and programs that will enhance the lives of infants, children, teens and senior citizens.

Past projects have included the renovation of and support to a Foster Home/Infant Nursery Make-over, a Youth Holiday Christmas Party at Kaiser Permanente Hospital Vallejo, a holiday excursion for challenged teens, and a Rosewood House Makeover for women in need.