Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. NorCal Public Media acknowledges and celebrates the significant contributions of the Black community to the Bay Area through feature presentations on our stations.

Working tireless as a volunteer assisting her aging neighbors, Millicent Grant says “I love helping other people.” For decades she has been involved with the East Palo Alto Senior Center, helping to provide services and much-needed meals to the underserved older population there. What keeps her going? “Everybody needs to know that somebody loves them, somebody cares!”

For more information, visit https://epaseniorcenter.org

Unsung Hero Awards creator: Louise Pencavel.

“A story that is important…to know who made this country what it is today” is how the children’s picture book Prince Among Slaves is described by its author. The captivating tale of Abdulrahman begins in West Africa where the young Muslim prince is groomed to be king, and follows him through harrowing enslavement and his lifelong effort to return home. Connect the Bay meets local author Naheed Hasnat Senzai, illustrator Anna Rich, and associate publisher Stacey Barney, who describe how – and why - they brought the story to life for young readers.

For more information visit https://nhsenzai.com

Special thanks to Jaleesa Davis, Penguin Young Readers, Publicity Assistant.

Though there’s no specific black neighborhood in the City of San Jose, there is definitely a home for the African American community: the African American Community Service Agency. Since its founding in 1978, this nonprofit on the edge of downtown San Jose has worked to preserve the dignity and culture of not only the black community, but to promote the full participation of all the underserved in Santa Clara County. Executive Director Milan Balinton told Connect the Bay: “we use our black love to help provide support for all.” For more information, visit sjaacsa.org

San Jose State art major Caleb Dowdell began exhibiting his artwork at an early age. For the artist/actor/singer, art is about freedom of expression, discovery, and balancing spontaneity with focused skill and prowess over each medium. His goal is to uplift those around him by creating artwork that inspires and fosters unity and creativity in his community.

A self-described "Harpist from the Hood," Destiny Muhammad is a recording and performing artist, composer and producer. Her genre is Celtic to Coltrane—cool and eclectic—with a feel of Jazz and storytelling to round out the sonic experience.

The names of eight Black Petalumans, all married couples, were found on a suffrage petition that was presented to the California state legislature in 1870. Some of these individuals were trustees of the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Union Church in Petaluma, and some of their grave sites reside in the Cypress Hill Memorial Park in Petaluma. The couples who signed the petition were Alexander and Melvina McFarland, Cooper and Eliza Smith, Thomas and Juliana Johnson, and Charles and Rebecca Montgomery.

Connect the Bay: The vision of the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles is to preserve, celebrate, and promote knowledge about quilts and textiles, their creation, their beauty, and their relationship to human culture and expression. Director Camille Ann Brewer takes us on a tour for a closer look. For more information visit https://www.sjquiltmuseum.org

The mission of Los Altos Youth Theatre is to provide an opportunity for young artists to collaborate with professional artists in rehearsing both plays and musicals. Education Director Gary Ferguson is passionate about taking things a step further and embraces diversity as a core objective. The popular acting company believes that people of all abilities have the right to experience and participate in the arts and that theater offers uniquely positive avenues for building relationships, developing creativity, and increasing confidence.

James Morgan, Dwayne Morgan and Walter Morgan Jr. are The Sons of the Soul Revivers, who have been singing gospel music together with family in the Bay Area since they were kids. Inspired by deep faith, their music is generated out of both devotion and celebration. They have brought their engaging performance style on tour around the country and abroad.

Sherry's Diaspora Dance Party, Sunday afternoons at 3 PM on KRCB 104.9 FM - Hosted by Sherry Weston-Vigil & Vince Vigil.

What’s black culture? What’s the African Diaspora? What do those things have to do with music and society’s wellness? Sherry “Boricua de Corazón,” a proud African American “Air Force Brat” will show you. So, get out your dancing shoes and your favorite refreshment. Maybe a notepad? You’ll need them!

Reveal - Saturdays at 10:00 am on KRCB 104.9 FM, Hosted by Al Letson.

Reveal is investigative journalism at its best from The Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX. Reveal's award-winning journalists hold the powerful accountable and consistently shine a bright light on injustice in order to protect the most vulnerable in our society.

http://www.revealnews.org