Events

Congresswoman Lee Commemorates MLK’s Legacy

Published

11 years ago

April 10, 2014

Congresswoman Barbara Lee joined hundreds of celebrants to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination and mark the reopening of the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tenn. Below are her remarks from the occasion:

First, thank you for inviting me to be with you at this hallowed ground where years ago, our drum mayor for justice was so tragically taken from us.

“We gather to celebrate and commemorate the man and the movement that changed the soul of America, shattered legal segregation and provided opportunities for many. If not for the movement, I would not be here as the 99th African American member of Congress working side by side with giants such as Congressman John Lewis.

“I’d also like to recognize my great colleague Steve Cohen, your incredible representative from Memphis, my friend since the early 70’s., Dr. Amy Bailey, a great preacher, my friend, Bishop Brown, and to all of you, my brothers and sisters.

“To stand here today fills with me with tremendous pride and humility.”

April 4, 1968 changed my life forever. Like everyone I was shocked, saddened, and angry. Dr. King’s tragic death brought vivid memories of my childhood in segregated El, Paso Texas.

“And also reminded me that I must do more to fight the triple evils of poverty, racism, and militarism of which Dr. King so boldly spoke exactly one year before his assassination-April 4, 1967 in his speech Beyond Vietnam at Riverside Church in New York.

“I remembered my dad, a military officer, who served in World War II and the Korean War, being turned away at restaurants, in his uniform and with his family because we were black.

“And I remembered the segregated public schools when I was a child, the “colored only” water fountains and my mother and father-again in his uniform-being told they could not buy a house where they wanted to live because of the color of their skin.

A group of Kids prepare to march along side Congresswoman Lee’s car for the MLK parade.

“As a proud community worker with the Black Panther Party, I helped challenge the oppression of the poor and people of color and had the privilege to work for Bobby Seal, who is here today, as a fundraiser when he ran for mayor of Oakland.

“That paved the way for Oakland’s first Black Mayor, our beloved the late Lionel Wilson. The Black Panther Party challenged the status quo and was the first to establish a free breakfast program for children which was the precursor for the federal government’s breakfast program. Bobby, I salute your bold leadership.

“While serving as the President of the Black Student Union at Mills College, I met my mentor, the first African American woman elected to Congress, our champion Shirley Chisholm. She was the first woman and first African American to run a serious campaign for President.

“She inspired me to register to vote, help lead the Northern California President Campaign with the Black Panther Party and go to the Democratic Party convention as a Shirley Chisholm delegate.

“Without Shirley Chisholm and many courageous civil and human rights leaders, including Rev. Jesse Jackson, President Barack Obama would not be our commander in chief today.

“In 1967, Dr. MLK said:

“The bombs in Vietnam explode at home. They destroy the hopes and possibilities for a decent America.”

“His words rang clear when after the horrific attacks of 9-11, Congress was asked to give President Bush and any President a blank check to wage war. Although very difficult, I ended up as the only vote against this open-ended war resolution.

“Later on, I saw our beloved Coretta Scott King, who graciously hugged me and said, “I’m certain Martin would be proud. That was the right vote.” I am still humbled by those words.

“And so today, I am also joined by my remarkable grandsons, Joshua and Jonah Lee and several brilliant young people from Oakland’s Martin Luther King Freedom Center and Dr. Norma Ambriz-Galavez from our designated predominately black institution, Merritt College in Oakland, to thank the foot soldiers and heroes and she-roes of the movement, commemorate the 50th Anniversary of so many milestones in our march toward freedom.

“We come today to recommit ourselves to the struggle for a more perfect union. Yes, for freedom, forward, and to once and for all, rid our country and the world of poverty, racism, and militarism.

“In the words of my favorite gospel, “I ain’t no way tired. We’ve come too far from where we started from. Nobody told me the road would be easy-I can’t believe he brought me this far to leave me.”

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Arts and Culture

Promise Marks Performs Songs of Etta James in One-Woman Show, “A Sunday Kind of Love” at the Black Repertory Theater in Berkeley

“The (show) is a fictional story about a character named Etta, aka Lady Peaches,” said Marks. “She falls in love with Johnny Rhythm, leader of the Rhythm Players Band and headliners of Madam G’s Glitta Lounge.” Marks channeled the essence of Etta James, singing favorites such as “Sugar on the Floor” and “At Last.”

Published

12 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Photo Courtesy Of Promise Marks.

Special to the Post

It was “A Sunday Kind of Love” at the Black Repertory Group Theater in Berkeley on Saturday night, Dec. 7. The one-woman musical based on the music of Etta James featured the multi-talented singer Promise Marks

Marks, who wrote and directed the musical, also owns PM Productions.

Marks channeled the essence of Etta James, singing favorites such as “Sugar on the Floor” and “At Last.”

In between her soulful songs, Marks narrated impactful moments of the love story and journey of blues and forgiveness.

Marks sultry voice carried the audience back to an era that echoed with the power of Black music and a time of great change.

Marks said James shared love for the Black community by singing at gatherings during the Civil Rights Movement uplifting the people.

“She spoke to the movement, spoke to the people, and let her music speak for itself,” Marks said.

Backing the musical’s monologues, images and videos of Etta James are projected for the audience to view. While the production is fictional, Marks infused script with the unfairness and heartbreak James experienced while performing.

Marks performed gospel artist Donnie McClurkin’s “We Fall Down” as she narrated acts of reconciliation and forgiveness among the characters at Johnny Rhythm’s deathbed.

Marks, who regularly sings for the Miss America Pageant, was asked to perform as Etta James last year. “(At the event) a lady yelled out to me: ‘You’re Etta James!’ And then the audience went crazy. I said to myself, ‘I may have something here,’” she said.

Within 12 months, Marks created the musical production, which featured a dozen songs honoring “the great legacy of Etta James,” she said.

Marks says she was saddened to see how Etta James was often judged by the struggles in her life and wanted to offer attendees a more layered view.

“Etta’s life was so big. I want people to know that she was more than her drug addiction,” said Marks. “We can’t make that her legacy. Her catalog is too amazing. You can’t just be that and have the catalog that she (created). I don’t want the addiction to be the focus: I want her music, her element, her sassiness, and what she brought to be the focus – her woman-ness, that she was strong, and I wanted to honor that.”

Set Designer Nora Burnette says she created the set segments to mirror James’ life story. A set designer for BRG since 2016, she explained that her process of researching the scenario and the character serve as her inspiration for her design.

“I try to design a set as close to real life as possible so that the actress can deliver the performance sincerely,” said Burnette. “By creating the right setting, it helps the actors release the true essence of a character.”

The set brought the story to life and absolutely floored Marks. “Once Promise (Marks) saw the actual set, she understood my vision: ‘Wow, you get me. You get it,'” Marks told the designer.

Born Jamesetta Hawkins, Etta James, began her career in 1954 and gained fame with hits such “At Last” and “I’d Rather Go Blind.” She faced a number of personal problems, before making a musical comeback in the late 1980s with the album “Seven Year Itch.”

Co-producer and BRG Development Director, Sean Vaughn Scott, works with Overseer Production. According to producer Pamela Spikes, “Marks talent truly does Etta’s life story justice.”

Pam Jacobs of Hercules, a friend of Marks’ mom, Jackie Smith, said, Marks “was fabulous and sang all of those songs flawlessly.”

“I’m so proud of my daughter,” said Smith.

Marks, who has served as an instructor for BRG, will return on Feb. 21- 23 for an encore run of the musical.

“It’s an honor to be a part of the BRG (Black Repertory Group) family and continue our executive director Dr. Mona Vaughn Scott’s vision for the Black Repertory Group theater,” said Marks.

The Black Repertory Group Theatre is located at 3201 Adeline St., Berkeley, CA 94703. For information, visit: BlackRepertoryGroup.com

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Activism

BWOPA Honors Black Leadership and Legacy at 2024 Ella Hill Hutch Awards Dinner

On Dec. 5, BWOPA held its Annual Ella Hill Hutch Awards Ceremony, at the Fairmont Claremont Hotel in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills. At the event, the group comprised of Black women from various professional backgrounds, honored distinguished local and state leaders whose contributions have shaped civic engagement and advanced critical social issues impacting Black communities.

Published

12 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

L-R: BWOPA State Executive Director LaNiece Jones; State Asm. Mia Bonta; BWOPA 2024 Man of The Year/Urban League SFBA CEO Ken Maxey; BWOPA State President Hon. Dezie Woods-Jones; State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas; Rowena Brown, Oakland Councilmember At-Large, Elect; BWOPA State Regional Director Vashone Huff. Courtesy photo.

By Oakland Post Staff

Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) is a statewide non-profit advocacy and membership organization committed to solving problems affecting Black Californians.

On Dec. 5, BWOPA held its Annual Ella Hill Hutch Awards Ceremony, at the Fairmont Claremont Hotel in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills.

At the event, the group comprised of Black women from various professional backgrounds, honored distinguished local and state leaders whose contributions have shaped civic engagement and advanced critical social issues impacting Black communities.

The evening was hosted by Dr. Shawna Charles, founder of The Charles Communications Group (CCG) headquartered in Los Angeles. Charles served as mistress of ceremonies.

With a track record of elevating voices and empowering communities, Charles’ leadership and insight brought a certain dynamism to the celebration.

“Each year, this event not only celebrates the enduring legacy of our beloved BWOPA founding member, Ella Hill Hutch, but also reaffirms and amplifies our unwavering commitment to building and sustaining Black political power across California,” said Dezie Woods-Jones, BWOPA founding member and State president.

“Ella Hill Hutch’s trailblazing leadership continues to inspire us as we forge ahead, empowering Black women to lead, advocate, and shape a more equitable future for all,” added Woods-Jones.

This year’s event introduced the DWJ Rising Star Award, honoring young leaders like Solano County Board Supervisors-elect Cassandra James, Danielle Motley-Lewis, Naomi Waters and newly elected State Assemblymember elect Rhodesia Ransom (D-Stockton).

According to organizers, the awardees all exemplify “the next generation of changemakers.”

Other awardees included:

Lifetime Achievement Awardees: Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) and Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson
Man of the Year: Kenneth Maxey, CEO of the Greater SF Bay Area Urban League
President’s Corporate Award: Yvette Radford, Kaiser Permanente
In the Spirit of Ella State and Chapter Awards: Dr. Carolyn Greene, Dr. Marcella K. Smith, Dr. Carolyn Drake, Tinisch Hollins, Jackie Jones, Gloria Burgess Johnson, Tamika L’Ecluse, Ellen Nash, Betty Reid Soskin, and Ay’Anna Moody.

BWOPA also celebrated local champions across its chapters, including leaders in voter education, healthcare, criminal justice reform, and community advocacy.

In a statement, BWOPA said, “Honoring Ella Hill Hutch’s legacy, BWOPA recognizes her pioneering efforts as the first Black woman elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Her tireless work amplifying underrepresented voices continues to inspire BWOPA’s mission to build Black political power across California.”

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to our members, partners and allies who believe in BWOPA’s vision to invest in building power for Black women’s leadership,” said LaNiece Jones, BWOPA State executive director. “Your support ensures that Black women have a voice at decision-making tables locally, regionally, statewide, and nationally, advancing diversity and equity in leadership spaces.”