MISSION & VISION

Moving into the third millennium, local communities face critical issues. Health, technology, economic development, just to name a few, are central to how the San Francisco Bay Area defines itself to the global community.

This section will be devoted to the building out of agenda items which will serve as focal points in the move toward greater inclusiveness and access to a life of dignity by all.

Northern California Martin Luther King, Jr.
Birthday Observance Committee
Chronology Summary of Background History

• Holiday declared by act of Congress and signed by the President of the United States; and the first observance was in 1986 wherein Congress also mandated the establishment of an observance committee for the first celebration of the holiday. The Northern California Committee was established by Rev. Cecil Williams (who became the Chairperson) at the request of Mrs. Coretta Scott King. Over the years, there has been numerous local groups and organizations that have worked with this committee: Senior Escort Outreach Program, San Francisco Black Leadership Forum, the Archdiocese of S.F., San Francisco Labor Council, Officers for Justice, San Francisco Unified School District, Omega Boys Club, YMCA/YWCA, just to name a very few…
• In 1987, the Committee filed and received its papers as a 501-c3 corporation. The Committee established guidelines and secured volunteers to speak not only to the issue of Dr. King’s life but also to the oppression which were his agenda and which still exist today.
• In August 1988, many of the King Committee organized a delegation from San Francisco to attend the 25th anniversary of Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” speech in Washington, D.C.; and over 700 young people competed in essay contests with winners going to Washington. Senior citizens, community and religious leaders also represented San Francisco in a coordinated effort to “Keep the Dream Alive.”
• The first event planned and executed by the Committee was in May 1985. The Committee invited Bishop Desmond Tutu to San Francisco and a presented a rally honoring the Nobel Peace Prize winner at the Civic Auditorium. Since the first observance in 1986, San Francisco has been recognized as of the most important cities celebrating the King Holiday. Over 100,000 people marched down Market Street to a rally in the Civic Center;
• In 1987, there was a rally in San Francisco Civic Center wherein thousands attended from San Francisco Bay Area and over 3,000 people journeyed to San Francisco on the Freedom Train from San Jose. There was an ecumenical church service at Third Baptist Church.
• In 1988, over 8,000 people filled the San Francisco Civic Auditorium, in which over 4,000 of those people had participated in the Freedom Train from San Jose;
• In 1989, thousands marched from the foot of Market Street to the Civic Center Auditorium, and 4,000 people on two trains from San Jose joined the others to march on to Civic Auditorium. Also 1989 earmarks the year a contingent from the Northern California Committee flew to Atlanta for the King celebration activities – year of the Freedom Plane ride;
• In 1990, there were two public events. One was a multi-cultural event in the Tenderloin, and the second event brought together many churches and religious leaders to honor Dr. King – presented in the Bay View Hunter’s Point area. The Freedom train from San Jose again brought participants that marched to Civic Center to honor Dr. King;
• In 1991, King Committee sponsored a “March for Peace” from Bay View Hunter’s Point to the Civic Center. Thousands of people participated in this 6 mile march, and there was a capacity crowd at the Civic Auditorium that again included thousands that had arrived on the annual Freedom Train ride from San Jose;
• In 1992, this became the first year that the King holiday activities were televised. Cameras were on the Freedom Train ride from San Jose, also on Market Street, and on to the Civic Auditorium. The 2-1/2 hour program was telecast in its entirety on KMTP Channel 32;
• In 1993 activities included an unprecedented “live” satellite presentation from Washington D.C. For the first time ever, two California U.S. Senators, Dianne Feinstein & Barbara Boxer joined Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and Rev. Cecil Williams to make statements to the thousands in the Civic Auditorium, and their remarks were made available to every television station in the state. The remarks by these national representatives were one element in a program designed to include San Francisco Youth. The Midnight Basketball League with their 12 teams from several areas of the City joined the Omega Boys Club members and other young people for one of the most successful events to bring the meaning of the life of Dr. King together with the spirit of the City’s young people;
• In 1994, for the first time, The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial at Yerba Buena Gardens was utilized and it provided a unique setting to celebrate the holiday. The new monument serves as a beautiful, exquisite, as well as one of the most significant statements of community pride of this region and other regions of the U.S.
• In 1995, activities were planned and then took place at the King Memorial located at Yerba Buena Gardens. Cultural diversity and strong participation by young people were key elements of the 1995 event;
• In 1996 reflected both a unique and historical moment in time; one week before, San Francisco elected their first African-American Mayor, Hon. Willie L. Brown, Jr. and the 1996 event then reflected the excitement and pride of the African-American community, as well as a renewed sense of commitment to activism. Over 63,000 fliers were delivered to every student in the public school system, and the schools provided 6 ROTC march groups and two bands – one from San Francisco and one from San Jose;
• In 1997, for the first time, hundreds of Marin County students gathered at San Rafael High School for their journey on the Freedom Bus, and thousand arrived on the Freedom Train from San Jose, and motorized cable cars were used for the first time to transport many senior citizens who marched with Dr. King and other Civil Rights leaders during the 50’s. San Francisco’s first African American Fire Chief, Robert Demmons led the march including members of the Officers for Justice, San Francisco Black Fire Fighters, and the 1997 celebration took place at Yerba Buena Gardens at the King Memorial; In 1998 Candlelight Vigil honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was presented on Dr. King’s birthday, January 15th in the Forum Building and at the King Memorial in Yerba Buena Gardens. A youth program featuring participation of youth and young adults from the ages of 5 to 25 years old. The federal holiday celebration began with more than 4,000 who assembled at the King Memorial at Yerba Buena Gardens—joined by thousands riding the Freedom Train from San Jose—and thousands more than proceeded to march down Market Street to the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. For the first time, there was an organized contingent from 150 veterans (Swords to Plowshares. Ms. Attallah Shabazz, eldest daughter of Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz, was the keynote speaker at the rally. Tributes to civil rights pioneers were recognized and presented: Dr. Carlton Goodlett, Dr. Yori Wada, Dr. Betty Shabazz, and Geraldine Johnson who all died in 1997;
• In 1999, earmarked the third year to hold the Candlelight Vigil on January 15th at Yerba Buena Gardens featuring program of entertainment for youth by youth in the Forum Building. This year it was noted that the youth participation had grown significantly with participation from Sacramento, Walnut Creek, Orinda, Richmond, Oakland, and San Francisco. The 1999 King federal holiday held on January 18th celebrated the theme “Bridging the Generation Gap” Translating the Dream for All Generations with a phenomenal and historic presentation of Clayborne Carson, Director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Papers Project/Author of “The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr.” – as well as the eloquent and illuminating message from Rev. Frederick Haynes, III, Pastor of Friendship West Baptist Church of Dallas, TX. For the first time, there was the inauguration of the BART Freedom Train implemented through the leadership and perseverance of BART Director Willie B. Kennedy;
• In the Year 2000, Making the Dream Real….Why Should I …? A youth and family day celebration on Saturday, January 15th at the Metreon Sony Entertainment Center wherein our youth essay contest winners received Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. $100 Saving Bonds contributed by the Community Bank of the Bay and the U.S. Treasury Department. The federal holiday celebration on January 17th included the San Jose Freedom Train Riders, a contingent that joined the march assembled at the King Memorial in Yerba Buena, then joined by the BART Freedom Train Riders, Black Cowboys {first year participants}, Black Motorcycle riders {first time participants}; with record attendance of more than 7,500 or 8,000 in the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium; and
• In the Year 2001, “Where Do We Go From Here?” A wake up call to come together as a community, in the beauty of our diversity, collectively our knowledge and resources are immeasurable, so we can join together, take action and address some of the concerns/needs of our communities at large. A wake-up call from the nightmare--stepping out on faith and taking action in the new millennium: It was unanimously agreed that we need not pose the question, as in the call to conscious in Dr. King’s speech to the SCLC on August 16, 1967; “Where Do We Go From Here?” because as Cecil so profoundly shared, we know what to do, and an Agenda should come out of the 2001 celebration-program that can be a continuous project right into 2002, 2003, and forward; where we can continuously report on the progress. The theme, Where Do We Go From Here opened great possibilities for the essay theme wherein several of the various clubs/youth programs at the schools could be included from the communities to take task to participate and find ways to approach the school districts throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Phil Palmer of Community Bank of the Bay committed Saving Bonds for the winners of the Youth Essay Contest in partnership contribution with the U.S. Treasury Department (done last year 1999-2000). Both the Youth & Family Day Program {Metreon/Yerba Buena Gardens held on January 13, 2001) and the federal holiday main event Celebration Holiday (Bill Graham Civic Auditorium held on January 15, 2001) included spoken word dramatization, music, dance and people interacting. The programs included educational, inspiring, and moving presentations of S.R. Martin Sign and Praise Group, Imhotep Children’s Dance Ensemble, Love Life Foundation, Victory Mime Ministry, Glide Supreme Steppers, the Stomp Cast… just to name a few. The 2001 Celebration program provided an extraordinary visual of the importance of our right to vote and the importance of voters’ registration in a profound video “Civil Rights Journey to the South” with Belva Davis (KRON/KQED/Emerald Rock Productions). Two Northern California Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Awards were presented to a senior and youth for exemplary services in our communities and this year’s recipients were Ora Lee Brown and Rashad Williams. An inspiring, phenomenal and history making keynote address was delivered by Dr. Bertice Berry (Author, comedian, and television personality) that truly rocked the house. Kaiser Permanente sponsored our first successful Health Faire that included numerous health service agencies that provided both important information and services for blood pressure, HIV/Aids testing, breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, etc.
• There were more than 8,500 to 9,000 that participated in the parade and attended the celebration rally. The volunteer services in planning the festivities included a number of youth with extraordinary talent in graphic arts, computer technology, and outreach to our large bay area communities throughout Northern California and visiting tourists both nationally and international. The diversity represented in the volunteers and attendees was a commemorative moment to be proud of and continues to exemplify the role and commitment of the Northern California Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Observance Committee at its best in the new millennium.
• In the Year 2002, our local theme, UNITED & COMMITTED: “ Keeping the Dream Alive” included activities for the MLK Youth and Family Day program held on Saturday – January 19, 2002 at Sony Metreon/Yerba Buena Gardens; and our main event of an annual March and Rally Celebration on Monday, January 21, 2002 at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. The attendance participation at the Youth & Family Day exceeded 600 youth and their friends and family throughout the day. The attendance/participation for our main event on Monday January 21, 2002 that includes our annual freedom march and rally celebration at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium exceeded more that 12,000 throughout the day. There were 5,000 free MLK flash passes provided by BART for the BART Freedom Trains that departed from Daly City, Fremont, Pittsburg, Richmond, and Dublin/Pleasanton. CalTrain Peninsula Freedom train that departed from San Jose the stopping in Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, and San Mateo that included approximately 2,000 participants. For the first time, there was an inauguration of Freedom Ferries implemented by Golden Gate Transit and Port of Oakland Oakland/Alameda Ferry. Both of these entities provided free round trip passes to about 1,000 participants who travel on the ferries to our event and back home. The 2002 Northern California Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Award was presented to a senior trail-blazer for her exemplary services in our communities and this year’s recipient was Enola Maxwell, Founder / Potrero Hill Neighborhood House. There were 30 exhibitors that included cultural arts and crafts, as well as free health services for exams and screenings related to HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and high blood pressure, just to name a few. The rally celebration program included dance, music, poems/spoken word dramatization, as well as inspiration speakers (partial listing) such as our State First Lady Sharon Davis, Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr., Rev. Cecil Williams, and President of the Islamic Society of San Francisco – Suleiman Ghali. All of the program participants exemplified our commemoration of Dr. King’s dream, his life, and his legacy that addressed dignity, truth, justice, equality, and service. The audience reflected a multiracial nation united in justice, peace, and reconciliation that give hope to fulfilling the vision of solidarity bringing together all ethnicities, faiths, and cultural backgrounds that build the beloved community.
• In the Year 2003, our local theme, THE BELOVED COMMUNITY: “Committed to Justice & Peace Through These Troubled Times”
• In the Year 2004, our local theme, "KEEPING THE DREAM ALIVE: The Man, His Mission, His Motivation…Da Mayor” when will we honored and paid tribute to a Drum Major of Justice, a Man of exemplary contributions and extraordinary service, Da Mayor, the Hon. Willie L. Brown, Jr.
• In the Year 2005, our local theme, BUILDING BRIDGES OVER TROUBLED WATERS; “Diversity & Justice” not only focused not only on living diversity in the 21st century / making justice work in the 21st century, we also use this opportunity to acknowledge our living pearls of our own historical treasure chest – that have bridged the gaps of injustice, set the pace to build significant leadership that empowers/encourages our youth to keep the dream alive, and gives the charge to our beloved communities to continue to build on the objectives and goals of the civil rights movement into the year 2005 and beyond. This day we CELEBRATE and embrace life, claiming VICTORY in these troubled times.

REMEMBER!  CELEBRATE!  ACT!  A DAY ON … NOT A DAY OFF!

ALL ABOARD…!  GET ON THE BUS…! :  “Celebrating Our Oneness”

Saturday January 14, 2006: 14th Annual MLK Youth & Family Day
[Metreon & Yerba Buena Gardens]

Statewide/San Francisco/Bay Area wide outreach to youth of all ages, diverse cultures and ethnicities to come together, share, and be taught the dreams, and life legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; as well as to build their awareness in the areas of community service, non-violence, and youth leadership.  The activities planned for the day would include winner presentations of essay / creative arts contests, inspirational speakers, spoken word dramatization, free movies/films, music, dance, and youth interacting with one another that would promote collaboration, self-worth and recognition for being part of the solution and not the problem, as well as, cultural understanding, community development, and peace in their respective communities bay area / state wide.  Like 2005, we planned both an 11a.m. and 2p.m. Kick-Off Program to accommodate our growing attendance.  One of the several ultimate goals for this annual youth and family event is to increase and sustain a strong quality youth network that generates insurmountable opportunities and service learning fields that encompasses the vision-life work of Dr. King as it pertains to the Civil Rights Movement, strategies, ideologies, and various leadership styles; whereas, our common way of life in the new millennium would be to equally prosper economically, build healthy communities and live in peace. 

Again, the MLK 2006 Youth & Family Day event was a well-attended successful event.  This estimated attendance throughout the day is estimated at 600+ of children and the parents as well as teens/young adults from various parts of Northern California and/or San Francisco Bay Area/Peninsula. 

The festivities for the day included:  Pre-program book reading…storytelling with Miranda Wilson (Host of the Smooth Jazz Workday on 103.7 KKSF); 106 KMEL on site all day with music and free give-a-ways; Hands on Exhibit featuring Aquatic Animals presented by California Academy of Sciences; Mini-skit and talent performances by Youth Uprising of Oakland and the S.R. Martin College Preparatory School; Free screenings of “Our Friend Martin,” “Boycott,” and “Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.” 

Goodie Bags were distributed that included Yerba Buena Garden t-shirts; Bottled Water; Color glow fiber optic wands; pencils; Yerba Buena Center for the Arts cultural postcards packs; Yerba Buena Gardens coloring books, and Pacific Gas & Electric’s African American Inventors and their contributions to the world calendars.  The day concluded with a Candlelight Vigil at the MLK Fountain in Esplanade Garden with expressions and reflections of the contributions--life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks. 

Monday January 16, 2006:  20th Annual MLK Federal Holiday Celebration
[Bill Graham Civic Auditorium]
The rally celebration program included dance, music, poems/spoken word dramatization, as well as inspiration speakers; wherein, the program participants will exemplify our commemoration of Dr. King’s dream, his life, and his legacy that addressed dignity, truth, justice, equality, and service.  The audience reflected a multi-racial nation of people united in justice, peace, and reconciliation that gives hope to fulfilling the vision of solidarity bringing together all ethnicities, faiths, and cultural backgrounds that build the beloved community.  The activities / program planned for this day were married to some of the Committee’s goals, such as to:  respond to community needs in our aims to transform the observance of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday into a day of service that reflects King’s life and teachings—bringing people together, breaking down barriers that divide us, and working to solve our problems through citizen action and non-violence; as well as, to recruit, train, and organize hundreds to thousands of volunteers, and joining people of different backgrounds to meet communities’ needs by serving together on Dr. King’s day – tutoring children and adults, and celebrating history and heritage with senior citizens and veterans; and to provide safe places with structured activities in which to learn and grow; effective education that equips our youth with marketable skills, and an opportunity to give back to their communities through their own service. 

A phenomenal day of inspiring guest speakers, educational workshops [teach-in], educational health vendors, craft vendors, food and entertainment.  We received great feedback from the attendees during and after the program.  The estimated attendance throughout the day exceeded 9,500-10,000.  We did not plan our annual organized freedom march but encouraged the attendees to come directly to the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium to participate in the “teach-in” sessions and free film screenings. 

The “teach-in” sessions included history presentations on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks, Prostate Cancer and the African American Community, Wells Fargo Bank Financial Literacy and the Bay Area Black United Fund’s Critical Mass Health Conductors.  The free film screenings shown in C-101 were “Our Friend Martin” and “Boycott.” 

Our program of exemplary talent and guest speakers included:  Mayor Gavin Newsom, D.A. Kamala Harris, Civil Rights Attorney Eva Patterson, Comedian/Actor Mark Curry, Acknowledgement and tribute to Superintendent Arlene Ackerman, Gee Yung Lion Dancers, Top Notch Steppers, Gospel Soloist Debra Nimmer, World Renowned Choirs:  Glide Ensemble and the Touch of Class Youth Choir, Local Artist Baby James, and the uplifting poetry / spoken word from both Shawn Williams [2006 MLK, Jr. FreeWrite Contest Winner] and Cassandra Walton. 

There were 50-60 exhibitors that included cultural arts and crafts, as well as free health services for exams and screenings related to HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, diabetes, prostate cancer, and high blood pressure, just to name a few.  The health vendor venue was particularly highlighted successful by both the attendees and the presenters primarily due to the voluminous wealth of information and free services and testing provided.  Two of our newest / first time health vendors shared a post report to the MLK Committee.  Dr.. Marcus L. Penn of UCSF Radiation Oncology PSA Screenings shared “we had 70 participants register and 68 that followed through with the PSA blood test and 4 participants had results above normal…the fact that Rhody McCoy and his service of DRE [digital rectal exams} was right next to us aided in the effectiveness of each of our services…our location was perfect for visibility of participants we wanted to recruit.”  Community Relations Manager Paula Lykins of the California Pacific Medical Center congratulated us on a great event, and shared “we did 242 healthy heart screenings which included blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose…8 women were given a breast exam and were referred for mammography…look forward to next year and an even greater number of screenings and participation.” 

BART provided at least 5,000 flash passes for the Freedom BART trains, and there will be collaborative free or very low cost tickets to ride on Freedom Buses, Freedom Ferries {Golden Gate Ferries and Oakland/Alameda Ferries], as well as the San Jose CalTrain Peninsula Freedom Train, and inauguration Freedom Train via the Capitol Corridor from Sacramento. 

We are extremely proud that our events are successful without any incidence of violence but rather an atmosphere of camaraderie and diverse networking/bonding/kinship.  Again, another challenge of concern is financial resources to continue to provide an excellent high quality program.  Our event has always been free admission to the public, and is planned to always be free to the public.  Yet, during these economic challenging times, we are experiencing increase in expenses.  Fortunately, we have been able to raise some additional funding through sponsorships/contributions over the past couple of years, but we continue to be challenged with the need to solicit even more new donors, as well as sustain as many of the past contributors to continue this viable and important event in honor of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Our significant efforts and planning for the MLK 2006/07 venue has grown tremendously that we believe will continue to address the goal to engage our youth/seniors/attendees/participants in a greater service of education, empowerment, commitment, liberation, and celebrating our oneness as part of the Beloved Community.  We want to continue to echo that the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday is NOT only for celebration and reflections, education and tribute but above all…a day of service… a national “teach-in” in values of non-violence including unconditional love, tolerance, forgiveness and reconciliation that is desperately needed to unify America.  It’s many days of intensive education and training… a unique opportunity to teach our young people to fight evil, not people, and to be empowered with knowledge and all positive aspects of life that will enhance their growth as our future leaders that will keep the dream of Dr. King alive, as well as celebrates the life and legacy of such icons as Dr. King and Rosa Parks that bring hope and healing to America. 

We propose various changes and additions in the programs to be provided during the years 2006-2007 that are:  MLK Youth Service Program, Senior Health Focus, African American Health Focus, the MLK Annual Youth & Family Day, and the Annual MLK Federal Holiday Celebration.  It is important that our youth are taught the importance and value of providing service to others throughout the fiscal year and that the valuable resource in experience and wisdom of our community seniors is spotlighted and utilized.  We are diligently working to increase our partnerships with community services in the greater San Francisco/Bay Area/Peninsula. 

1. Location (s): 

January 13, 2007:  Yerba Buena Gardens/KING Memorial, 3rd/4th Streets and Mission/Howard Streets in San Francisco. 

January 15, 2007:  Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, 99 Grove St., San Francisco, CA 

2. Target audience and expected audience numbers: 

The audience that has generally attended our free public events has been from the African-American community.  The Martin Luther King, Jr. federal holiday is an excellent opportunity to present activities that encourage pride and positive values for young African-Americans.  The past several years, the audience has grown tremendously in diversity to include Hispanics/Latinos, Asian, Native American, and other minority ethnicities, as well as Caucasians. There is an equitable mix of children, teens/youth, young adults, adults, and seniors that attend as well.  Since inception of the King federal holiday celebrations, there has been a successful effort to include many ethnic communities – whether as speakers, performers, or as vendors, and the Committee will continue a wide spread cultural diversity outreach. 

The Committee has continually been committed to creating activities that will be attractive, interesting, and educational for the youth/young adults, adults, and seniors.  A strong effort will continue to be made to encourage participation by all minorities. Seniors and people that are physically challenged will be given special seating, and their attendance is continuously encouraged. 

Our plans will continue to include encouraging greater participation by local media, both citywide/statewide and nationally.  Again, electronic media via email and websites will be used to further promote participation, and advertise on various calendars of events. 

Our expected attendance numbers for the 2007 Annual MLK Youth and Family Day is between 700 and 800. 

Our expected attendance numbers for the 2007 Annual Freedom March and Rally Celebration is between 15,000-17,000. 

We pray for an increase of our grant awards and/or sponsorship contributions for 2006/2007. 

The Northern California Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Observance Committee recognizes the continued importance of celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.   The following proposal is prepared as a way for the various communities of Northern California to highlight Dr. King’s dream throughout the year in unified service.

• MLK YOUTH SERVICE PROGRAM
• SENIOR HEALTH FOCUS
• AFRICAN AMEARICAN HEALTH FOCUS
• MLK YOUTH & FAMILY DAY [3rd Saturday in January, annually]
• MLK Federal Holiday BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION [3rd Monday in January, annually]

MLK YOUTH SERVICE PROGRAM

It is important that our youth are taught the importance and value of providing service to others.  Dr. King’s life is a sterling example of what service to others can accomplish.  Therefore, we propose to have an MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. YOUTH SERVICE PROGRAM.  The program would be centered on young people who would provide service in areas such as mentoring to younger students, assisting with senior care, participate/volunteer in civic educational projects designed to teach other youth about the importance and the power of civic activism and voter participation in order to bring about change in their own communities, as well as city upkeep initiatives, etc.  During the MLK Celebration activities, we would acknowledge those individuals that have demonstrated a high level of service by gifting special awards, scholarships, and /or MLK $100 saving bonds. 

The program would include plans to partner with the various agencies/organizations [partial listing below] to provide opportunities for the youth to perform a variety of services:

• Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services
• San Francisco Department of Public Works
• San Francisco Board of Education
• San Francisco League of Urban Gardeners (SLUG)
• Bayview Hunters Point Senior Services Center
• Ella Hill Hutch Youth Services
• Walden House
• B.A.G.
• Youth Uprising

SENIOR HEALTH FOCUS

One of our most valuable resources is the experience and wisdom of our community’s seniors.  Many of these individuals suffered the injustices that Dr. King and many others in the Civil Rights Movement fought hard to correct.  Focusing on the health needs of the seniors in our community is one way that we can say thank you for their sacrifice and dedication.  Our senior health program would occur twice in the year (once in the Summer and once in Winter) in the form of a senior health focus weekend to take place at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium and other designated locations in the San Francisco/Bay Area.  In conjunction with community health providers, we would highlight specific health concerns for seniors including but not limited to diabetes, cholesterol, heart disease, breast cancer, glaucoma, prostate cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and hypertension.  During the weekend’s scheduled event, seniors would have the opportunity to receive various free health exams, medical advice, and recommendations for medical treatment.  The winter session would take place during the MLK weekend celebration and possibly again in the Spring/Summer.

The program would partner with the various agencies / organizations [partial listing] to provide opportunities for our senior population to receive valuable health services:

• Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services
• University of California San Francisco – Senior Services
• Kaiser Permanente San Francisco/Bay Area – Senior Services
• Bayview Hunters Point Senior Services Center
• AARP of Northern California
• Red Hat Society
• San Francisco Senior Lunch Program
• Alzheimer’s Association
• American Cancer Society
• American Diabetes Association

AFRICAN AMERICAN HEALTH FOCUS

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was the standard bearer for Civil Rights.  He remains a key figure in the history and collective conscious of African Americans.  As part of the San Francisco MLK celebration, the Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Observance Committee would like to focus on the health concerns that have been identified for the African American community.  These health concerns include but are not limited to breast cancer, prostate cancer, diabetes, glaucoma, hypertension, Sickle Cell Anemia, and HIV/AIDS. In conjunction with community health providers, we would highlight these and other health concerns for African Americans during the MLK Birthday celebration held in January.

The program would partner with the various agencies/organizations [partial listing below] to provide opportunities to receive valuable health services:

• Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services
• University of California San Francisco – Outreach Services/Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Kaiser Permanente San Francisco/Bay Area – Outreach Services
• San Francisco AIDS Foundation
• The San Francisco Black Coalition on AIDS
• Bay Area Black Consortium for Quality Health Care
• BVHP HERC
• Sisters Network Inc. (San Francisco and East Bay Chapters)
• Black Brothers Esteem (BBE)

MLK YOUTH & FAMILY DAY

The MLK Youth & Family Day will allow several hundreds of Bay Area families to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King with a day of cultural and educational activities.  Activities include special programming at Yerba Buena Gardens; screenings of MLK related movies and documentaries, special guest speakers and performers.  This is a wonderful opportunity to reach out to youth in the Bay Area and give them a celebration geared specifically to them, for them and by them.

The program would continue to include new prospects to plan and partner with our MLK committees and partners/sponsors of past years that are included in this partial list of various agencies and organizations to provide for youth and their families to learn and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.:

• Mayor’s Office of Children, Youth and Their Family Services

• Glide Church Youth Services
• Museum of the African Diaspora
• Yerba Buena Gardens
• Metreon
• 98.1 KISS FM
• California Academy of Sciences
• SR Martin College Preparatory School
• Youth Uprising
• Grants for the Arts
• 106.1 KMEL FM
• Northern California Unified School Districts
• United Educators of San Francisco

MLK FEDERAL HOLIDAY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

The freedom march usually culminates with a rally and celebration at Bill Graham Civic Center Auditorium.  Our Rally Celebration serves as the main venue for participants to hear from inspirational speakers and musical guests, to be entertained by talented special performers, and fellowship with one another around the legacy of Dr. King.  In addition, we host a spectacular vendor and health fair where celebration attendees can support community businesses, complete vital health examinations, and come in contact with valuable services. 

We did not plan our annual organized freedom march for the 2006 MLK Federal Birthday Holiday Celebration but encouraged the attendees to come directly to the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium to participate in the “teach-in” sessions and free film screenings. 

The “teach-in” sessions included history presentations on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks, Prostate Cancer and the African American Community, Wells Fargo Bank Financial Literacy and the Bay Area Black United Fund’s Critical Mass Health Conductors.  The free film screenings shown in C-101 were “Our Friend Martin” and “Boycott.” 

Our significant efforts and planning for the MLK 2006/07 venue has grown tremendously that we believe will continue to address the goal to engage our youth/seniors/attendees/participants in a greater service of education, empowerment, commitment, liberation, and celebrating our oneness as part of the Beloved Community.  We want to continue to echo that the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday is NOT only for celebration and reflections, education and tribute but above all…a day of service… a national “teach-in” in values of non-violence including unconditional love, tolerance, forgiveness and reconciliation that is desperately needed to unify America.  It’s many days of intensive education and training… a unique opportunity to teach our young people to fight evil, not people, and to be empowered with knowledge and all positive aspects of life that will enhance their growth as our future leaders that will keep the dream of Dr. King alive, as well as celebrates the life and legacy of such icons as Dr. King and Rosa Parks that bring hope and healing to America. 

We propose various changes and additions in the programs to be provided during the years 2006-2007 that are:  MLK Youth Service Program, Senior Health Focus, African American Health Focus, the MLK Annual Youth & Family Day, and the Annual MLK Federal Holiday Celebration.  It is important that our youth are taught the importance and value of providing service to others throughout the fiscal year and that the valuable resources in experience and wisdom of our community seniors are spotlighted and utilized.  We are diligently working to increase our partnerships with community services in the greater San Francisco/Bay Area/Peninsula. 

We are extremely proud that our events are successful without any incidence of violence but rather an atmosphere of camaraderie and diverse networking/bonding/kinship.  Again, another challenge of concern is financial resources to continue to provide an excellent high quality program.  Our event has always been free admission to the public, and is planned to always be free to the public.  Yet, during these economic challenging times, we are experiencing increase in expenses.  Fortunately, we have been able to raise some additional funding through sponsorships/contributions over the past couple of years, but we continue to be challenged with the need to solicit even more new donors, as well as sustain as many of the past contributors to continue this viable and important event in honor of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

The program has in the past and would continue to plan and partner with the following agencies and organizations, as well as other potential / prospective sponsors to provide an exciting and dynamic free celebration for all attending:

• San Francisco’s Mayor’s Office (Mayor Gavin Newsom)
• AT& T
• Wells Fargo
• Grants for the Arts
• BART
• Glide Church
• Clear Channel Communications
• Projection Presentation Technology
• Catering by SMG
• San Francisco Labor Council
• City & County of San Francisco
• Youth Speaks/Living Word